RoadVitals

2015 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.
8
Latest Oct 16, 2018
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.
5
Latest Aug 21, 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 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Forest River Salem, most frequently naming the body & structure, suspension and brakes categories. 5 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

  • Body & structure541.7%
  • Suspension325.0%
  • Brakes216.7%
  • Electrical216.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
18V550000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Aug 21, 2018
5,847 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
The risk: If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 22/30-0824View 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
14V712000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 7, 2014
40 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Salem Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 28, 2014, and certain model year 2015 Wildwood Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 22, 2014. Due to insufficient thickness, the Lippert Components-brand draw bar of the affected trailers may break.
The risk: If the draw bar breaks, the front of the trailer may fall or the trailer may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River has notified the dealers who have the affected trailers quarantined on their lots. Lippert Components personnel will reinforce the draw tube, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 06-11032014.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 06-11032014View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Oct 16, 2018

JUNE 8, 2017, WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-15 IN CENTRAL UTAH. WE WERE TRAVELING AT OR NEAR 60 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE VINYL ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE TOP FRONT OF OUR TRAILER. WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT THE 1ST OFF RAMP WE COULD SAFELY GET TOO, AND SECURED IT WITH ROPES TO PREVENT ANY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC. AT THE TIME OF THIS ROOF FAILURE WE HAD LESS THAN 900 MILES OF ACTUAL HIGHWAY USE. IF WE WOULD HAVE CONTINUED ON WITHOUT SEEING THE PROBLEM THE ROOF COULD HAVE BLOWN COMPLETELY OFF, POSSIBLY BLINDING OTHER MOTORISTS, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE DEATH OR INJURY TO THE PUBLIC. THE MANUFACTURER (FOREST RIVER TRAILERS) HAS COMPLETELY DENIED ANY AND ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE FAILURE. SINCE OUR INCIDENT, WE HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER FOREST RIVER TRAILERS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THIS FAULTY PRODUCT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH TO THE TRAVELING PUBLIC. I BELIEVE THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE VINYL ROOF BECOMING DELAMINATED IS DUE TO THE CHEAP PRESSBOARD SUB-ROOF. THE PRESSBOARD HAS A VERY UNEVEN SURFACE, ALLOWING ONLY PORTIONS OF THE STICKY VINYL FABRIC TO ADHERE. THE REASON I AM BRINGING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IS TO HOPEFULLY PREVENT ANYONE ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAYS FROM LOSS OF LIFE DO TO SUCH A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
11140755
Incident
Jun 8, 2017
Mileage
875 mi
BrakesElectricalSuspension
Filed Nov 7, 2016

I BOUGHT AN RV 2015 FOR MAJOR RV IN HESPERIA CALIFORNIA FOREST RIVER SALEM TWO WEEKS AFTER I BOUGHT IT THE PAIN STARTED PULLING OFF THE FRONT THEN TRAILER BRAKES KEPT SHORTING IN AND OUT AND THEN QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER TOOK IT BACK TO MAJOR RV TOLD HIM ABOUT THE PAINT AND TRAILER BRAKES THEY TOLD ME THEY PUT A SWITCH IN THAT FROM WHEREVER MADE THE SWITCH PUT A WIRE IN THE WRONG PLACE BUT THEY WERE CONTACT IN THE FACTORY TO DO THE PAINT I TOLD HIM SUSPENSION IS HITTING THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER CAPACITY IS 1300 AND 50 POUNDS WHAT'S THE TRACK 400 POUNDS FROM FRESHWATER ALL THAT'S GREAT NOTHING MUCH IN THE TRAILER AT ALL BUTT IT TOOK A WHOLE YEAR I SAT AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE FOREST RIVER FACTORY FOR 6 MONTHS IN THE TRAILER PARK WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME TO FIX MY TRAILER A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THEY ASKED ME TO BRING THE TRAILER AND I HAVE A NEWBORN DAUGHTER WHICH WAS NO PROBLEM BY THAT TIME WE WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE PREGNANCY WITH NOT EVEN AN EMAIL BACK TO US I TOOK THE TRAILER AND THEY REPLACE THE SUSPENSION THE FRESHWATER TANK ALL THE DRAINS IN THE TRAILER WENT THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I HAD TO RENT A ROOM FOR A WEEK $700 WHEN I GOT THERE THE TRAILER WAS NOT EVEN READY THEY HAD PUT BACK ON A DESTROYED TIRE WHEN I HAD A BRAND NEW SPARE ON THE BACK WHICH I REPLACE ON MY WAY TO COLORADO I NOTICED THE TIRES STARTED WOBBLING AGAIN THE TRAILER WAS BECOMING VERY UNSTABLE AND UNCONTROLLABLE

NHTSA ID
10924681
Incident
Jun 20, 2016
Brakes
Filed Oct 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER HEMISPHERE (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10919075
Incident
Oct 19, 2016
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST VILLA SALEM VILLA (NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AWNING DETACHED FROM THE TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
10884959
Incident
Jul 14, 2016
Suspension
Filed Jul 14, 2016

THE SUSPENSION AND AXLES DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE CHASSIS AT THE ADVERTISED CURB WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, CAUSING THE AXLES TO WARP AND ALL 4 OF THE TIRES TO FAIL. THE ATTACH POINTS TO THE CHASSIS ALSO DISLODGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10884887
Incident
Jun 29, 2016
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2016

**ADVISED BY [email protected] TO FORWARD TO YOU FOR ACTION** EXTENSIVE MOLD DAMAGE - COMPROMISED STRUCTURAL/SUSPENSION INTEGRITY DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FINE/RECALL LEVIED AGAINST MANUFACTURER FOREST RIVER (JULY 2015) FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY REPORTING SAFETY ISSUES. WE OWN A FOREST RIVER SALEM CRUISE LITE, BOUGHT NEW AUG 2015, FAULTY CONSTRUCTION/LEAKS SINCE PURCHASE. REPAIR DONE/NOT RESOLVED. BROUGHT IN AGAIN & CURRENTLY WALLS RIPPED OUT & EXTENSIVE MOLD FOUND BY DEALERSHIP. DEALER ADVOCATED FOR FULL REPLACEMENT (TECHNICIAN HAD TO LEAVE UNIT DUE TO MOLD). FOREST RIVER TOWED IT FROM FL TO GOSHEN, IN FACILITY (WALLS RIPPED OUT, 1000+ MILES ON HIGHWAYS IN HIGH WIND/STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY COMPROMISED DUE TO DAMAGE, NOT TO MENTION EXPOSED MOLD). MONITOR ASSIGNED TO NHTSA RULING PLEASE BE ADVISED VEHICLE CURRENTLY AT FACTORY IF THEY'D LIKE TO SEE DAMAGE FIRSTHAND. AS WELL, PLEASE SEE BBB COMPLAINTS OF SAFETY ISSUES NOT BEING HANDLED. WE ASKED THE REP TO ADDRESS SAFETY, HE REPLIED 'WELL, YOU DID BUY OUR BASE MODEL. THAT'S WHAT WE USE TO KEEP OUR PRODUCTION LINE GOING DURING THE SLOW SEASON'. IF THIS ISN'T AN ADMISSION OF GUILT, NOT SURE WHAT IS. IN OTHER WORDS, IF WE BOUGHT A COROLLA (BASE MODEL) VS A CAMRY.. WOULD IT 'SERVE US RIGHT' IF IT HAD SERIOUS SAFETY FLAWS.. WOULD THE NHTSA BE OK WITH THAT COMMENT? WE ARE URGING SOMEONE (OR THE MONITOR ASSIGNED TO THE NHTSA RULING MADE IN JULY 2015) ... PLEASE GO TO THE FACTORY ASAP. PLEASE ADDRESS THESE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES THAT CONTINUE. YOUR RULING MAY HAVE 'SHIFTED' FOREST RIVERS PRACTICES, BUT STILL ARE ALLOWING THEM TO PRODUCE SERIOUSLY FLAWED, UNSAFE PRODUCTS. THIS IS 2ND ATTEMPT TO FIX WATER INTRUSION (NOW W/MOLD). WE WANT REFUND/REPLACEMENT, NOT A 'BAND-AID' AS WAS SUGGESTED & FAILED LAST TIME! CAN'T IN GOOD FAITH RE-SELL THIS UNIT WITH HISTORY OF LEAKING / MOLD. UNSAFE TO REMAIN IN! PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ID
10821385
Incident
Aug 15, 2015
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Oct 27, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY EMITTED WARM AIR, THE CHASSIS TWISTED, THE ELECTRIC JACKS DID NOT FUNCTION, AND SEALS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WAS REPLACED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE CHASSIS WAS WELDED BACK INTO POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE FRACTURED SEALS AND ELECTRIC JACKS WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10786307
Incident
Jul 18, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Aug 3, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE RUBBERIZED ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROOF WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND IMPROPERLY GLUED TO THE VEHICLE SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10745756
Incident
Jun 30, 2015

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—
2015Viewing850—
2014140—
2013220—
2012310—
2011230—
2010120—
2009010—
2008330—
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.