RoadVitals

2021 Forest River Sandpiper 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.
4
Latest Jun 2, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Forest River Sandpiper, 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

  • Body & structure228.6%
  • Suspension228.6%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Other / unspecified114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

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

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

We traveled from Clermont, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL. We went through some construction, and when driving, we noticed the passenger side back bunk slide was sitting out from the camper. Then, when we arrived at the campground, we saw our axles were completely shifted to the driver's side. The shift was so extreme that the tires were outside the camper's fender (on the driver's side), and the extreme opposite on the passenger side. This then caused issues with the main slide coming out, as it was hitting the tires. In addition, the slide we noticed sticking out can no longer operate properly, as it seemed like the framing around it had completely shifted. We immediately called our insurance (Progressive) and started a claim regarding what happened after traveling on the road. Then, they told us it would be covered under our plan and considered a collision due to the uneven ground and potholes while driving in the construction zone. Per their request, we uploaded pictures of the damage. While taking pictures, we noticed the extreme bending in our RV frame. We check over our camper before every trip, and the frame did not have this issue when we left our campground in Clermont, FL. In addition, we now had walls separating inside, and the cross bars under the main living completely broken. Insurance came out and told us that because they cannot find a direct impact location, it will not be covered. They are labeling the issue as "frame failure." They will also no longer let us take the camper on the road, as it is not safe to drive. Now, we have our home, which cannot be insured, and insurance that will not support a solution for fixing, as they are stating this is a manufacturing issue.

NHTSA ID 11664263 · filed Jun 2, 2025

Traveling home from Arkansas towing our RV. No difficulties noted pulled RV.Traveled only DOT roads never boondocking in which case not been taken off road. When pulling out of a Bucees in Pigeon Forge our rear driver side wheels went over a scooped curb. Did not feel it but my husband the driver saw it in the rear view mirror. Stop in Branson MO noted the driver side rear slide did not go out all the way. This has happened with another slide which required an adjustment so we planned to address upon arrival home. Sikeston MO bathroom door would not align properly to close. Lift up door and it closed. Again not found to be urgent, plan to have realigned upon arrival home. Upon arrival home we parked the RV in the driveway and noticed that the axels had shifted toward the driver side. We looked up inside and saw the leaf springs shifted. We contacted Lippert who is the manufacturer of the frame. They sent one of their inspectors to our location to inspect the RV. In preparation for the inspected we were responsible for removing the underpinning and under insulation. The inspector came. From the driveway he was able to see the shifted axels. On the way into our. home we said I can guaranteed this is a Lippert Issue. We were all underneath the RV as the inspector pointed out numerous "incomplete welds", the two crossmembers broken away. There were numerous breaks "I" beam breaks ranging from 4" to 6" in length. frame twisting. This is to mention only a few of the findings. Extensive communication with Lippert ensued. Their final declaration is "It appears that some outside force has caused the extensive damages we see on your frame and suspension. This type of damage is not consistent with normal use and wear and tear. This is not any type of warranty failure and for these reasons will not be considered for warranty coverage at this time. Respectfully, Bill Sauer Service Ops Manager Plant 82" Advised by technicians not to move RV due to high risk of injury.

NHTSA ID 11657071 · filed Apr 27, 2025

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 traveled from Clermont, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL. We went through some construction, and when driving, we noticed the passenger side back bunk slide was sitting out from the camper. Then, when we arrived at the campground, we saw our axles were completely shifted to the driver's side. The shift was so extreme that the tires were outside the camper's fender (on the driver's side), and the extreme opposite on the passenger side. This then caused issues with the main slide coming out, as it was hitting the tires. In addition, the slide we noticed sticking out can no longer operate properly, as it seemed like the framing around it had completely shifted. We immediately called our insurance (Progressive) and started a claim regarding what happened after traveling on the road. Then, they told us it would be covered under our plan and considered a collision due to the uneven ground and potholes while driving in the construction zone. Per their request, we uploaded pictures of the damage. While taking pictures, we noticed the extreme bending in our RV frame. We check over our camper before every trip, and the frame did not have this issue when we left our campground in Clermont, FL. In addition, we now had walls separating inside, and the cross bars under the main living completely broken. Insurance came out and told us that because they cannot find a direct impact location, it will not be covered. They are labeling the issue as "frame failure." They will also no longer let us take the camper on the road, as it is not safe to drive. Now, we have our home, which cannot be insured, and insurance that will not support a solution for fixing, as they are stating this is a manufacturing issue.

NHTSA ID 11664263 · filed Jun 2, 2025

Traveling home from Arkansas towing our RV. No difficulties noted pulled RV.Traveled only DOT roads never boondocking in which case not been taken off road. When pulling out of a Bucees in Pigeon Forge our rear driver side wheels went over a scooped curb. Did not feel it but my husband the driver saw it in the rear view mirror. Stop in Branson MO noted the driver side rear slide did not go out all the way. This has happened with another slide which required an adjustment so we planned to address upon arrival home. Sikeston MO bathroom door would not align properly to close. Lift up door and it closed. Again not found to be urgent, plan to have realigned upon arrival home. Upon arrival home we parked the RV in the driveway and noticed that the axels had shifted toward the driver side. We looked up inside and saw the leaf springs shifted. We contacted Lippert who is the manufacturer of the frame. They sent one of their inspectors to our location to inspect the RV. In preparation for the inspected we were responsible for removing the underpinning and under insulation. The inspector came. From the driveway he was able to see the shifted axels. On the way into our. home we said I can guaranteed this is a Lippert Issue. We were all underneath the RV as the inspector pointed out numerous "incomplete welds", the two crossmembers broken away. There were numerous breaks "I" beam breaks ranging from 4" to 6" in length. frame twisting. This is to mention only a few of the findings. Extensive communication with Lippert ensued. Their final declaration is "It appears that some outside force has caused the extensive damages we see on your frame and suspension. This type of damage is not consistent with normal use and wear and tear. This is not any type of warranty failure and for these reasons will not be considered for warranty coverage at this time. Respectfully, Bill Sauer Service Ops Manager Plant 82" Advised by technicians not to move RV due to high risk of injury.

NHTSA ID 11657071 · filed Apr 27, 2025

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

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

We bought this towable (5th wheel) RV in January 2021, new from Funtown RV in Denton, TX. Since the day we took deleivery, we have experienced a severe lack of braking ability from the RV brakes. We have had them services multiple times, and ultimately, the final RVIA certified repair facilities conclude that the trailer is just too heavy for the brakes they manufactured it with. They sell thousands of these trailers and they are a sincere danger to the motoring public if they have no ability to brake themselves. If the trailer became disconnected fromt he tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would serve little or no purpose in slowing the trailer. I would suggest that Lippert and Forest River be looked at for this potential dangerous product.

NHTSA ID 11525816 · filed Jun 7, 2023

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 traveled from Clermont, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL. We went through some construction, and when driving, we noticed the passenger side back bunk slide was sitting out from the camper. Then, when we arrived at the campground, we saw our axles were completely shifted to the driver's side. The shift was so extreme that the tires were outside the camper's fender (on the driver's side), and the extreme opposite on the passenger side. This then caused issues with the main slide coming out, as it was hitting the tires. In addition, the slide we noticed sticking out can no longer operate properly, as it seemed like the framing around it had completely shifted. We immediately called our insurance (Progressive) and started a claim regarding what happened after traveling on the road. Then, they told us it would be covered under our plan and considered a collision due to the uneven ground and potholes while driving in the construction zone. Per their request, we uploaded pictures of the damage. While taking pictures, we noticed the extreme bending in our RV frame. We check over our camper before every trip, and the frame did not have this issue when we left our campground in Clermont, FL. In addition, we now had walls separating inside, and the cross bars under the main living completely broken. Insurance came out and told us that because they cannot find a direct impact location, it will not be covered. They are labeling the issue as "frame failure." They will also no longer let us take the camper on the road, as it is not safe to drive. Now, we have our home, which cannot be insured, and insurance that will not support a solution for fixing, as they are stating this is a manufacturing issue.

NHTSA ID 11664263 · filed Jun 2, 2025

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

Tires & wheels

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I have driven on these tires 1800 miles since my purchase of the Forest River 5th wheel trailer in 2021. While driving on narrow country road at 35 mph, driver's side rear tire blew. It had little tread wear and blew the tread/belt off of 12" of the tire with a gash on the interior portion of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. The tire pressure was checked prior to driving the 15 miles until the incident and was at 80 psi per the tires limits. The tires are rated to be driven up to 75 mph so I was way under that limit. Replaced with the spare and continued the 80 miles home. While the trailer was sitting in my sideboard on asphalt 5 days later, the tire in front of the one mentioned above blew! This time it blew the fender off the trailer and across the road. Again the same damage is seen to the tire with about 10" of the belt/tread blown off and the interior portion of the tire has a gash from sidewall to sidewall. Will now be replacing all the tires as this is very worrisome to a single woman driver. I am concerned how I would have handled my 32' trailer at hwy speeds of 60-65 mph. Neither incident caused any damage to other drivers luckily. First tire was replaced by Les Schwab Tires and employee was surprised as the tires looked brand new to him with extensive damage seen. No truck warning lights were issued prior to hearing the loud noise and seeing pieces of tire flying down the road. I am attaching the photos from the tire that blew in my driveway. Tire size: 235/80R18

NHTSA ID 11664120 · filed May 31, 2025

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 .