RoadVitals

2021 Forest River Impression

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Feb 2, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 8, 2024
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Forest River Impression, most frequently naming the electrical category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical2100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
24V847000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SERVICE PANEL:BREAKERS/RELAYS; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Nov 8, 2024
2,898 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
The risk: Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 83-1862View on NHTSA.gov
22V243000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Apr 13, 2022
99,190 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
The risk: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1501View on NHTSA.gov
21V903000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Nov 19, 2021
957 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Impression Fifth Wheel Recreational Vehicles. The center identification light on the rear of the vehicle was incorrectly installed at a higher position than the other lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: Incorrectly installed rear lights may reduce visibility of the vehicle for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will reposition the center top lamp, and a reflector will be installed in place of the center lamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service Phone Number 1-574-296-2084. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1441.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 83-1441View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Feb 2, 2025

On [XXX], while driving home from camping, I received a message on my truck dash, “CHECK WIRES”. I checked the fifth wheel hitch, the seven-way cable, walked around the RV, did not see a problem. A RV restoration company [RVRC], was sent to my home by an insurance agent to repair the power awning on my 2021 Forest River Impression 290VB, VIN: [XXX] , 1) While working on the power awning, the [RVRC] discovered a major electrical short in a bundle of wires which travel throughout the RV. The electrically damaged wires supplied power to the following items: i.12 VOLT AUXILIARY ii.RIGHT TURN SIGNAL iii.BRAKES iv.12 VOLT GROUND v.LEFT TURN SIGNAL vi.EXTERIOR RUNNING LIGHTS vii.ADDITIONAL ITEMS SUPPLIED FROM 12 VOLT SYSTEM The [RVRC] returned to begin replacing said wire bundle. The cause of the electrical short was discovered behind a wall. The bundle of wires passed through a drilled hole in sheet metal without a grommet. While traveling, the wires moving back and forth, the insulation on one of the wires wore out and touched the sheet metal and the electrical short occurred. [if this electrical short had happened a few hours earlier it could have caused a fire and could have killed seven adults and children]. Additional Defects 2) This RV had multiple fasteners holding the “slide-out topper” in place. Each fastener had been screwed into sheet-metal, and were not screwed into anything solid. All the fasteners started backing out from their position. 3) the slide-out has an object in the path of the movement in-and-out causing internal damage as well as... 4) external damage to slide-out support board and external siding. 5) Internally, the large pantry door, is so heavy, it has tilted out of place and will eventually drag on the floor. These defects have not been verified or reproduced by anyone else. Only an insurance co had reviewed defect #1. I could not upload photos due to the captcha INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION

NHTSA ID
11640162
Incident
Jul 2, 2023
Filed May 21, 2024

While driving down the highway, the electric Solera awning opened on its own. This caused the arms to partially rip off the side walls of the 5th wheel, the fabric to rip, and the awning tube to come off, falling in traffic on the four lane highway. There was nothing near the wall mounted switch inside, and the battery was turned off, so there was no power to the awning.

NHTSA ID
11589989
Incident
Apr 6, 2024
Filed Oct 19, 2022

During our travels, the refrigerator popped out of it place breaking all the trim work around it. It and the trim work landed in close proximity to the kitchen island. I question as to how the refrigerator was secured in place to begin with. Apparently there is nothing, similar to what a kitchen stove has to keep it from tipping over. I don't believe, although our interstates are in terrible condition, that normal driving on the interstate should have caused this to happen. If you would like pictures of what we found when we opened the door at a refueling stop, and to take some lunch, I will gladly send the.

NHTSA ID
11489961
Incident
Oct 13, 2022
Electrical
Filed Nov 19, 2021
Fire reported

Electrical wires melted and burnt in the unit less than 6 months after purchase. We were stopped at a stoplight when the truck alerted us to a trail service error. Upon investigation, it was found that multiple wires were burnt and melted throughout the camper box and around the battery.

NHTSA ID
11441088
Incident
Aug 28, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

831448

EQUIPMENT

Dinette Booth assembly instructions.

511377

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

As per Lippert Components Technical Service Bulletin 11-004-21. The slide room actuator was assembled incorrectly, which may cause the room to become stuck in the out position and prevent from fully retracting.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Impression by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024010—
2023030—
2022050—
2021Viewing430—
2019110—
2018100—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.