RoadVitals

2004 Forest River Sandpiper

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 31, 2013
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 22, 2017
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 2004 Forest River Sandpiper, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Other / unspecified150.0%

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

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
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
10V454000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 1, 2010
2,207 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.
The risk: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
08V346000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 7, 2008
107,417 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed May 31, 2013

MY COMPLAINT IS THAT DOMETIC WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR THE WELL KNOWN DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURE OF THEIR COOLING SYSTEMS CONCERNING THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BOILER TUBE. FIRST OF ALL DOMETRIC ISSUED A RECALL BECAUSE OF FIRES THAT RESULTED WRONGFUL DEATH AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LAWSUITS. THEY CAME OUT WITH A PREVENTATIVE SOLUTION AFTER THE FACT (I'M NOT ALONE HERE) TO INSTALL A HIGH TEMP. CUT OUT SWITCH SO AS TO PREVENT THE UNIT FROM STARTING A FIRE. THIS MEASURE DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO ADDRESS THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BOILER UNIT. THIS LEAVES THE OWNERS OF THEIR UNITS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT COST AND DOMETIC COMPLETELY GETS AWAY WITH A WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED POORLY DESIGNED COOLING UNIT. WHEN ONE LISTENS TO THE RECORDING ON THE RECALL LINE DOMETIC ADMITS THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514452
Incident
May 31, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER SANDPIPER SPORT TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ALL THREAD BOLT THAT HELD THE PROPANE TANKS BECAME UNSCREWED AT THE BASE OF THE FRAME. AS A RESULT, THE PROPANE TANKS BECAME LOOSE, ROLLED OFF THE VEHICLE AND UNDER THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THEY STATED THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO CONTINUOUSLY CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOT BECOMING LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 2/12/13 *CN UPDATED 02/15/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10493838
Incident
Jan 20, 2013
Mileage
40,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Sandpiper by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2025110—
2024320—
2023000—
2022020—
2021410—
2020200—
2019210—
2018120—
2017210—
2016220—
2015130—
2014030—
2013020—
2012110—
2011220—
2010230—
2009210—
2008010—
2007010—
2006320—
2005420—
2004Viewing230—
2003030—
2002110—
2001410—
2000210—
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.