RoadVitals

2011 Forest River R-Pod

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.
3
Latest Aug 23, 2016
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.
1
Latest Jan 12, 2011
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Forest River R-Pod, most frequently naming the electrical and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Electrical266.7%
  • Brakes133.3%

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

1 campaign 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
11V010000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jan 12, 2011
2,741 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 R-POD TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 27, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE LIGHTS.
The risk: This could render the vehicle less visible to other motorist during hours of darkness, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
The remedy: Forest River’s petition for relief from remedy based on its belief that the noncompliance was inconsequential to motor vehicle safety was denied by NHTSA on May 16, 2012. Accordingly, Forest River will conduct a safety recall campaign. The safety recall began in May 2012. Owners nay contact Forest River at 1-574-642-3119.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD. WHILE THE RV WAS PLUGGED INTO THE CAMPSITE POWER SUPPLY, AN ELECTRICAL ARCHING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE FIRE ALARM ACTIVATED DUE TO SMOKE INSIDE THE CAMPER. THE PANELS UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK WERE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, WHICH HAD SMOLDERING SPARKS AND SMOKE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE ARCHING NOISE REMAINED AUDIBLE UNTIL THE CAMPER WAS UNPLUGGED FROM THE CAMPSITE POWER SUPPLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 12/21/16*LJ

NHTSA ID
10897858
Incident
Aug 21, 2016
Mileage
8,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD 178. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN THE CAMPER TRAILER, HE SAW A FLASH AND THE SMOKE ALARM SOUNDED. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MOLEX CONNECTOR BEHIND THE CABINETRY IN THE KITCHEN. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS SHUT OFF TO DEFUSE THE FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10876095
Incident
Jun 9, 2016
Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER R-POD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED AND THE TRAILER JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA ID
10436909
Incident
Aug 28, 2011
Mileage
500 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River R-Pod by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026010—
2025040—
2024120—
2023010—
2022330—
2021800—
2020830—
2019920—
20181010—
2017300—
2016310—
2015300—
2012100—
2011Viewing310—
2010110—
2009010—

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.