2021 Forest River Impression 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 2021 Forest River Impression, 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
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
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 .