RoadVitals

2011 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 Nov 30, 2017
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.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Forest River Sandpiper, most frequently naming the electrical and exterior lighting categories. 2 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Exterior lighting150.0%

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

2 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
10V460000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 8, 2010
92 units potentially affected
The defect: FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SANDPIPER AND SIERRA TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES. ON SOME AXLES, CRACKS COULD APPEAR IN THE SPINDLE WELD.
The risk: THESE CRACKS CAN PROPAGATE AND CAUSE THE SPINDLE TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE TUBE, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL END FROM THE VEHICLE, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD AND/OR COMPROMISING THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DEXTER AXLE AND WILL INSPECT THE AXLE SERIAL NUMBER AND REPLACE IT IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE. REPLACEMENT OF THE AXLE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER'S WARRANTY DEPARTMENT AT 1-574-534-3167 OR DEXTER AXLE AT 1-800-400-2164.
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER SANDPIPER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS WERE MELTING THE COVER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE LIGHTS WITH LED LIGHTS AND THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO INCLUDE THAT THE FIXTURE ON THE BULB WAS RV DASH ILLUMINAIRE RV-1L22 (30516) WHICH WAS MADE IN TAIWAN AND LAMP TYPE WAS 12V 921. A FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11051510
Incident
Nov 2, 2011
Electrical
Filed Apr 2, 2017

RECENTLY EXPERIENCED AN ISSUE WHERE MAIN LIGHTING AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING QUIT WORKING. AFTER TROUBLESHOOTING AND ANALYSIS, I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE. BEHIND THE POWER INVERTER AND CABINETRY I DISCOVERED WHERE ALL THE CAMPER WIRING CAME TOGETHER. I DISCOVERED SEVERAL BUNDLES OF 12V COMMON/GROUND WIRING BUNCHED TOGETHER. I THREE AREAS I FOUND UP TO 7 WIRES CONNECTED TOGETHER WITH A BLUE WIRE NUT AND WRAPPED IN ELECTRICAL TAPE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THE "BUNDLE" OF WIRES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LIGHTS THAT DIDN'T WORK. AFTER REMOVING THE ELECTRICAL TAPE, I FOUND THE WIRING HAD BEEN POORLY OR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AND CREATED AN AREA OF HIGH RESISTANCE, RESULTING IN A MELTDOWN OF THE WIRE NUT AND ALL ASSOCIATED WIRES. THIS CAUSES A GREAT CONCERN BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER AREAS WERE LARGE NUMBERS ARE WIRES ARE CONNECTED TOGETHER AND THEREFORE CREATING A CONTINUED FIRE RISK. ATTACHED IS A PHOTO OF THE DAMAGED AREA THAT WAS REMOVED.

NHTSA ID
10969957
Incident
Mar 25, 2017
Mileage
1,000 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—
2011Viewing220—
2010230—
2009210—
2008010—
2007010—
2006320—
2005420—
2004230—
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.