RoadVitals

2008 Forest River Salem

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 2, 2011
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 23, 2020
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Forest River Salem, most frequently naming the suspension and tires & wheels categories. 3 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

  • Suspension266.7%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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

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
20V727000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:OVEN/STOVE/COOKTOP; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

Nov 23, 2020
4,203 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.
The risk: A gas leak can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1259View on NHTSA.gov
17V756000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
365,885 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0544View on NHTSA.gov
07V487000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 16, 2007
263 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE LABEL LOCATED ON THE LOWER ROADSIDE FRONT OF THE UNIT CONTAINS AN IMPROPER LISTING OF THE TIRE AND RIM.
The risk: THERE MAY BE CONFUSION AS TO THE PROPER REPLACEMENT TIRE IF IT IS NECESSARY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECTED FEDERAL COMPLIANCE TAG AND TIRE LOAD INFORMATION TO THE DEALERS OR RETAIL CUSTOMERS. THEY CAN BE PLACED OVER THE INCORRECT LABEL AFTER CLEANING THE SURFACE WITH ALCOHOL. CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 574-534-3167.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Aug 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR AXLES WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FOUR LEAF SPRINGS WERE POORLY DESIGNED AND DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10416621
Incident
Jun 26, 2011
Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 18, 2011

PURCHASED A 2008 FLAGSTAFF TRAILER MODEL 31FKBBS IN JUNE 2009. HAVE HAD THREE TIRE BLOW OUTS ONE EACH IN OCTOBER 2009, JULY 2010, AND FEB 2011 AND A WHEEL BEARING FAILURE POSSIBLY CAUSED BY LAST BLOW OUT IN FEB 2011. UNABLE TO TOW TRAILER IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH BECAUSE OF TIRE PROBLEM. AFTER LAST TIRE BLOWOUT TIRE DEALER POINTED OUT DATA ON TRAILER STATES TIRES SHOULD BE ST225/75R15 LOAD RANDE D VS. ST205R/7515 TIRES THAT CAME ON TRAILER. OVER $3000 IN TIRES AND REPAIR COST. DEALER CLAIMS THAT FORREST RIVER SUPPLIED INCORRECT TIRES. HAVE ONE OF THE BLOWN OUT TIRES AND RECEIPTS FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE TRAILER AND TIRE REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10396715
Incident
Feb 26, 2011
Mileage
510 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 26, 2009

WE HAVE A 2008 FOREST RIVER SURVEYOR MODEL 301 30 FT TRAVEL TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH LIPPERT AXLES. WE WERE ON VACATION AND WE HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE A TIRE BLOWING OUT. I PULLED OVER GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE TRAILER AND MY TOW VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WITHIN 600 MILES MY RT REAR TIRE WENT BALD ON THE OUTSIDE AND I TOOK IT TO A TIRE DEALER IN KALLISPELL MONTANA AND THEY PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON. WE THEN DROVE HOME. I INSPECTED THE TRAILER AND FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BALD AND ONE OTHER TIRE GOING BALD. I HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AND TOOK THE TRAILER TO MY DEALER AND POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS BENT UPWARD IN THE MIDDLE AND THE FRONT AXLE SHACKLES WERE NOT TIGHT AGAINST THE FRAME. THE AXLE IS ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE FLOOR IN THE MIDDLE. PICTURES WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY INSIST IT IS A TIRE PROBLEM ANGOODYEAR SAYS IT IS AN AXLE PROBLEM. I FILED A REPORT WITH GOODYEAR AND I TOOK THE TIRE TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE EXPERT AND BOTH CONFIRMED IT WAS A MISALIGNED OR DAMAGED AXLE. I DID NOTHING ON THE TRIP TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.THE AXLE IS A MODEL 3500 BUT I CANNOT GET ANYONE TO GIVE ME A MANUFACTURE DATE.REPEATED CALLS TO FOREST RIVER HAVE BEEN UNANSWERED.ONE OTHER PROBLEM I FOUND WITH THE AXLES WEREPLASTIC DUST COVERS OVER THE AXLE BEARINGS HAD DISINTEGRATED(THIS WAS BEFORE THE TRIP). I TOOK THE RV TO MY DEALER AND THEY REPACKED THE BEARINGS AND REPLACED THE REAR SEALS.I REPLACED THE DUST COVERS WITH METAL ONES. WHEN I CALLED LIPPERT AND DISCUSSED MY AXLE PROBLEM I BROUGHT THE DUST COVER PROBLEM TO THEIR ATTENTION AND THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T USING THEM ANY MORE. I ASKED THEM WHEN THEY STOPPED AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHEN. THE RV HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR 6 WEEKS AND NOBODY CAN TELL MEWHAT CAUSED THE AXLE TO FAIL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO. I AM NOT MOVING THIS RV UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED PROPERLY REPORTED AND FIXED. NOTE: ON YOUR WEBSITE "SURVEYOR" MODEL NOT LISTED SO I LISTED "SALEM" TO PROCEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10289871
Incident
Aug 25, 2009
Mileage
10,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

511213

EQUIPMENT

This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.

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 Salem by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026060—
2025480—
20244100—
2023250—
20221270—
20214100—
20201270—
20195110—
2018690—
2017590—
2016980—
2015850—
2014140—
2013220—
2012310—
2011230—
2010120—
2009010—
2008Viewing330—
2007020—
2006020—
2005020—
2004330—
2003830—
2002110—
2001210—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—

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.