RoadVitals

2018 Forest River Palomino

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.
2
Latest May 26, 2020
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.
2
Latest Jan 12, 2018
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Forest River Palomino, most frequently naming the suspension and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Suspension150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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

2 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
18V051000

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

Jan 12, 2018
1,349 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally.
The risk: If the tongue jack retracts or extends unexpectedly, there could be an increased risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and a Forest River or a Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack, free of charge. The recall began on February 20, 2018. Rockwood and Flagstaff Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164; XLR ToyHauler owners can call 1-574-642-0432; Viking owners can call 1-269-467-4600; Freedom Express owners can call 1-574-825-8205; Palomino owners can call 1-269-432-3246. Lippert Customer service can be reached at 1-574-538-4514 or by email at [email protected]. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0610.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0610View on NHTSA.gov
17V319000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES

May 15, 2017
9 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Palomino recreational trailers, model PAT251RBSS. The Federal Placard does not list the correct tire size, tire pressure, and rim size information of ST205/75R14C tires requiring 50 PSI and a rim size of 14X5.5JJ. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
The risk: The incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire or overinflate the tire, all scenarios that may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-269-432-3271. Forest River's number for this recall is 400-05102017-0407.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 400-05102017-0407View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed May 26, 2020

I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 304RKDS GT3 CAMPER AND ON MAY 18, 2020 I HAD THREE TIRES BLOW OUT ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE CAMPER ON DIFFERENT AXLES. TIRES HAD AROUND 3890 MILES ON THEM AND WERE PROPERLY INFLATED AND WERE KEPT UNDER A COVERED SHELTER WHEN NOT IN USE. THE FIRST ONE HAPPENED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE AROUND 11:00 A.M. AT AROUND 40 MPH AFTER AROUND 20 MINS OF TRAVEL. WHEN TIRE BLEW IT CAUSED INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO THE CAMPER. REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE TIRE AND TRIED TO PROCEED TO DELIVER THE UNIT TO THE DEALERSHIP. AROUND 2:45 P.M. A SECOND TIRE BLEW ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE ON THE REAR AXLE WHILE TRAVELING AROUND 60 MPH. CONDITIONS WERE DRY, CLEAR AND IN THE 70S. PRIOR TO THIS ON OCTOBER 7, 2019. I DISCOVERED THE SPARE TIRE WHICH WAS MOUNTED ON THE BACK, COVERED AND STORED UNDER AS SHELTER HAD BLOWN APART WITH NO USE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP WITH PICTURES AND WARRANTY INFORMATION. NO RESPONSE. FOLLOWED UP NOV. 4TH. NO REPLY. NOVEMBER 14, 2019 I RECEIVED AN EMAIL STATING ?THAT SHE SAID SHE HASN'T HAD MANY CASES OF THE SPARE TIRE EXPLODING, SHE ONLY MENTIONED THAT MAYBE IT WAS THE WEATHER OR JUST A BAD RUN OF TIRES. THEY DO COVER TIRES AND SHE SAID I COULD FILE A CLAIM BUT IT'S GOING TO BE THE EXACT TIRE THAT'S ON IT, I DO HEAR THAT MOST CUSTOMERS AREN'T HAPPY WITH THAT BRAND OF TIRE.? I REPLIED ON THE SAME DAY THAT I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS WEATHER RELATED AND THAT I HOPE THAT THE 4 THAT ARE ON THE CAMPER AND ARE IN USE ARE NOT FROM THE SAME RUN AND I DON?T WANT TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THEM GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND I NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FURTHER. NOW 2 BLOWOUTS LATER WITH DAMAGE TO THE CAMPER THE DEALER IS STATING THAT THE TIRES ARE OUT OF WARRANT. BUT THE MANUFACTURE IS WILLING TO GOODWILL 5 REPLACEMENT TIRES BUT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE COST FOR THE LABOR AND DAMAGES. THE TIRES HAVE A 1 YEAR UNCONDITIONAL WARRANTY, 2 YEAR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND A 5 YEAR AGAINST MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS. THIS ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED AT THIS POINT.*DT CONSUMER HAS FOLLOWED UP WITH MANUFACTURE AND DE

NHTSA ID
11326042
Incident
May 18, 2020
Mileage
3,890 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 28, 2019

I WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY TRAILER WHEN I NOTICED TWO BROKEN WELDS ON THE DEXTER TORFLEX AXLE. I CONTACTED DEXTER AXLE AND THEY SAID THE COMBINATION 3" AXLE BRACKET & LIFT KIT ON MY TRAILER ARE NOT COMPATIBLE AS IT CAN RESULT IN BROKEN WELDS, AND IF UNTREATED, AXLE FAILURE. THIS IS THE NOTICE ON THEIR WEBSITE: "NOTE: LIFT KITS CANNOT BE USED WITH TORFLEX AXLES PRODUCED WITH 3" HIGH PROFILE BRACKETS." I CONTACTED PALOMINO ABOUT DEXTER'S RESPONSE AND THEY CONFIRMED FOR ME VIA EMAIL THAT DEXTER AXLE SHIPS THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY IN ONE PIECE AND PALOMINO ONLY INSTALLS IT. PALOMINO ALSO CONFIRMED FOR ME THAT MY TRAILER WAS MANUFACTURED THIS WAY AND THIS BROKEN WELD IS CONSIDERED A "MANUFACTURING DEFECT". THOUGH MY TRAILER IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY ARE REPLACING MY AXLE WITH A DIFFERENT ONE WITH A MORE ROBUST MOUNTING BRACKET AS "GOODWILL". UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, THIS WILL RESULT IN A DRAMATICALLY DIFFERENT TRAILER DUE TO THE RIDE HEIGHT BEING LOWED BY A FEW INCHES. I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THIS TRAILER IF THIS WAS THE CASE AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY INTENDED FOR OFF ROAD USE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS INCOMPATIBLE HIGH PROFILE AXLE BRACKET AND FACTORY INSTALLED LIFT KIT ARE ON EVERY SINGLE "4X4" PALOMINO TRAILER. I WENT TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT THEY ARE STILL MANUFACTURING TRAILERS WITH THIS INCOMPATIBLE AXLE/LIFT KIT COMBINATION. ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE EXPERIENCES AXLE FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE BROKEN WELDS FOR YOUR REFERENCE. I BELIEVE THAT THE BROKEN WELD ALLOWS THE AXLE MOUNT TO BEND LATERALLY AND COULD CAUSE THE WHEELS TO NOT BE ALIGNED WITH THE TOW VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I WILL HAVE TO TOW THE BROKEN TRAILER FOR REPAIR. I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE THE EMAIL THREAD BETWEEN DEXTER AXLE/PALOMINO/MYSELF UPON REQUEST. THANK YOU FOR RESEARCHING. *DT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. *JB *DT*JB *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11192245
Incident
Mar 9, 2019
Mileage
5,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

510692

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?The nuisance issue enunciates by either blowing the protective fuse, opening the circuit breaker in the furnace circuit, or rendering the furnace inoperative. Our testing has shown that in ALL instances the furnace fails in a safe manner.?

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 Palomino by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025110—
2024110—
2021310—
2020110—
2019120—
2018Viewing220—
2017210—
2016200—
2015300—

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.