RoadVitals

2020 Forest River Rockwood Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
13
Latest Mar 27, 2023
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 Forest River Rockwood, 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

  • Tires & wheels538.5%
  • Body & structure323.1%
  • Suspension215.4%
  • Electrical17.7%
  • Engine17.7%
  • Other / unspecified17.7%

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

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2020 Forest River Rockwood 8326BH Travel Trailer purchased March 2, 2020. Castle Rock ST tires included on trailer at time of purchase as standard equipment. Feb 26, 2022, the drivers side front tire had a tread separation incident. The tread came off causing damage to the fender area. This occurred while at moderate speed approx. 50 mph, tire inflation was at recommended PSI of 80 at beginning of trip. Upon stopping to assess tires, it was noted that tread came completely off. The steel belts were exposed, checked the tire Pressure, it was 70 PSI. The two drivers side tires were replaced with a manufactures tires. After traveling another 5 or 6 miles the front passenger side tire had the same type failure. Causing damage to the area around wheels. Insurance adjuster inspected the trailer on 2-28-22. This occurred without warning or visible signs. From social media information and research found that tire failure issues are not uncommon with the Castle Rock tires supplied on Forest River travel trailers.

NHTSA ID 11510275 · filed Mar 5, 2023

We heard a loud pop yesterday and found that one of our tires on our camper had exploded! Thankfully, the camper was sitting at our house. I researched the Forest River forums and there have been numerous reports of these tires exploding on and off the road. We are now concerned with the integrity of the other tires and fear of trailering on our next camping trip. The tires have less that 2,000 miles and are barely 2 years old. ST 205/75R14. It is my understanding these tires have been reported and are dangerous. We are lucky we were not driving. We always maintain proper tire pressure and use tire covers so this is a defective from the Castle Rock manufacturer.

NHTSA ID 11498004 · filed Dec 19, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Rockwood. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the RV, followed by a dragging sound. Upon inspection of the RV, the contact discovered that the battery had fallen out of the vehicle due to faulty metal straps. The contact was able to temporarily fix to the RV until reaching his destination. The contact was able to replace the battery and the straps to prevent the failure from returning. The contact linked the failure to a manufacturing defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered to assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500.

NHTSA ID 11482994 · filed Sep 6, 2022

This trailer has twelve bolts and nuts that retain the body of the trailer to the trailer frame. I had three of the nuts completely fall off while the remaining nine were only finger tight. Additionally there are two brackets that retain the LP gas line that connect to an outlet on the side of the trailer. These brackets are held in place by self threading screws. Both screws on my trailer have fallen off.

NHTSA ID 11464811 · filed May 16, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

We were traveling with our Rockwood Mini Lite and stopped at a traffic light. Someone from another vehicle ran over and told us there appeared to be an issue with one of our tires on the trailer and it looked dangerous. When we stopped to look, the passenger side tire on the front axle was bent in toward the center of the trailer. It is now at a repair shop and they have reported that the axle is broken. We don’t recall hitting anything, but filed an insurance claim for the replacement of the axle. Repair shop reports that they are still awaiting a response from the manufacturer, Dexter Axles, on when a replacement will become available. This morning, while perusing a Facebook page for Rockwood Mini Lite owners, I ran across a post from someone dealing with the exact same issue. Following, were numerous comments from others with the same issue. While this seems very odd, I cannot locate any recalls on the Dexter Axles. I feel as though this could have been disastrous for us if someone had not told us about the issue as well as these others who posted the same issue on Facebook. This is something that should possibly be brought to light.

NHTSA ID 11513970 · filed Mar 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Rockwood. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, an abnormal snapping sound was coming from the RV, followed by a dragging sound. Upon inspection of the RV, the contact discovered that the battery had fallen out of the vehicle due to faulty metal straps. The contact was able to temporarily fix to the RV until reaching his destination. The contact was able to replace the battery and the straps to prevent the failure from returning. The contact linked the failure to a manufacturing defect. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered to assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500.

NHTSA ID 11482994 · filed Sep 6, 2022

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HOT WATER HEATER WAS IN USE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR ALARMED INDICATING CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH WIND BLOWING TO THE REAR OF THE TRAILER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. SUN CITY RV LOCATED AT 6310 E PLATTE AVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80915 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ID 11342530 · filed Jul 31, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HOT WATER HEATER WAS IN USE INSIDE THE VEHICLE, THE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR ALARMED INDICATING CARBON MONOXIDE WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITH WIND BLOWING TO THE REAR OF THE TRAILER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. SUN CITY RV LOCATED AT 6310 E PLATTE AVE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80915 WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

NHTSA ID 11342530 · filed Jul 31, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

We were traveling with our Rockwood Mini Lite and stopped at a traffic light. Someone from another vehicle ran over and told us there appeared to be an issue with one of our tires on the trailer and it looked dangerous. When we stopped to look, the passenger side tire on the front axle was bent in toward the center of the trailer. It is now at a repair shop and they have reported that the axle is broken. We don’t recall hitting anything, but filed an insurance claim for the replacement of the axle. Repair shop reports that they are still awaiting a response from the manufacturer, Dexter Axles, on when a replacement will become available. This morning, while perusing a Facebook page for Rockwood Mini Lite owners, I ran across a post from someone dealing with the exact same issue. Following, were numerous comments from others with the same issue. While this seems very odd, I cannot locate any recalls on the Dexter Axles. I feel as though this could have been disastrous for us if someone had not told us about the issue as well as these others who posted the same issue on Facebook. This is something that should possibly be brought to light.

NHTSA ID 11513970 · filed Mar 27, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .