RoadVitals

2013 Forest River Sandstorm

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.
1
Latest Aug 14, 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.
1
Latest May 17, 2013
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2013 Forest River Sandstorm, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, powertrain (other) and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%
  • Tires & wheels125.0%

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

1 campaign 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
13V203000

EQUIPMENT

May 17, 2013
9,526 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
The risk: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Suspension+1 more
Filed Aug 14, 2013

2013 FOREST RIVER SANDSTORM. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AXLES AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRES WAS LOW, AND AIR WAS PUT IN THE TIRE, ONE MONTH LATER, THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE WERE FACED WITH A WATER ISSUE. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR THE WATER ISSUE AND WHILE THERE, THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THE TIRE ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOP SUGGESTED A PLACE TO TAKE THE RV FOR THE TIRE. THE WATER PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND THE CONSUMER RETURNED HOME. WHEN THE CONSUMER THEN WENT TO TAKE THE TIRE ODD THAT WAS LOOSING AIR TO HAVE IT FIXED, LUG NUTS WERE SO HOT, HE COULD HARDLY TOUCH THEM WITH GLOVES ON. THE CONSUMER NOTIFIED THE BUSINESS, THAT HANDLED WARRANTY ISSUES, AND HE WAS INFORMED TO TAKE IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY, AS THE PROBLEM COULD BE A BEARING ISSUE. AN INSPECTION REVEALED A MUCH LARGER ISSUE WITH THE AXLE THAN THE BEARINGS.

NHTSA ID
10533576
Incident
May 23, 2013

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Sandstorm by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023020—
2022130—
2021010—
2020100—
2019100—
2018100—
2017110—
2016120—
2014110—
2013Viewing110—
2012100—
2008100—

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.