2023 Forest River Hardside Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2023 Forest River Hardside, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure150.0%
- Electrical150.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
Case Summary A [XXX] purchased a new Forest River camper in 2024, which suffered 20+ defects within the first year, including a critical structural failure (sagging rear, misaligned door, compromised fridge foundation). Despite a signed settlement agreement (March 2025) where Forest River promised repairs, warranty extension, and $5,000 compensation, they: 1.Failed to fix the defects - returned the camper with the same issues + new damage. 2.Voided the $5,000 check - after we protested their insufficient fix/resolution. 3.Stonewalled – dismissed our input regarding the issue and its cause, avoided resolution and escalation requests, etc. Key Facts & Evidence •Documented Defects oStructural/safety hazard: Sagging rear, growing door gaps, crumbling fridge foundation (photos show daylight through gaps). Additional safety defects: Jack failures, unsecured cabinets. oFunctional: Furnace, water heater, electrical failures. •Forest River’s Bad Faith oBotched Repairs: Admitted floor repair failed (email from Jerald Summey, Apr 29). Omitted structural resolution service forms. Retaliation: Voided $5,000 check after client demanded accountability. Dismissal of Evidence: Ignored dealer photos/measurements proving defects. Forest River’s Bad Faith & Deceptive Practices •Forest River repeatedly dismissed, manipulated, and retaliated against me to avoid accountability: oDeliberate Ignorance of Evidence oBait-and-Switch Tactics oGaslighting & Blame-Shifting oStonewalling Escalation INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
Case Summary A [XXX] purchased a new Forest River camper in 2024, which suffered 20+ defects within the first year, including a critical structural failure (sagging rear, misaligned door, compromised fridge foundation). Despite a signed settlement agreement (March 2025) where Forest River promised repairs, warranty extension, and $5,000 compensation, they: 1.Failed to fix the defects - returned the camper with the same issues + new damage. 2.Voided the $5,000 check - after we protested their insufficient fix/resolution. 3.Stonewalled – dismissed our input regarding the issue and its cause, avoided resolution and escalation requests, etc. Key Facts & Evidence •Documented Defects oStructural/safety hazard: Sagging rear, growing door gaps, crumbling fridge foundation (photos show daylight through gaps). Additional safety defects: Jack failures, unsecured cabinets. oFunctional: Furnace, water heater, electrical failures. •Forest River’s Bad Faith oBotched Repairs: Admitted floor repair failed (email from Jerald Summey, Apr 29). Omitted structural resolution service forms. Retaliation: Voided $5,000 check after client demanded accountability. Dismissal of Evidence: Ignored dealer photos/measurements proving defects. Forest River’s Bad Faith & Deceptive Practices •Forest River repeatedly dismissed, manipulated, and retaliated against me to avoid accountability: oDeliberate Ignorance of Evidence oBait-and-Switch Tactics oGaslighting & Blame-Shifting oStonewalling Escalation INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .