RoadVitals

2009 Forest River Sierra

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.
3
Latest Aug 10, 2010
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 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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Forest River Sierra, most frequently naming the body & structure, suspension and tires & wheels categories. 1 safety recall has 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 & structure133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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

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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 10, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SIERRA FORESTRIVER TRAVEL CAMPER THAT HAD SECURA TIRES, DISTRIBUTED BY GREENBALL CORPORATION, TIRE SIZE ST225-75R15(NA), [ODI NOTE: OWNER SAYS THESE ARE LOAD RANGE "D" IN PHONE CONVERSATION 8-30-10] DOT 1KLN, LINE 25B0807. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HE PULLED INTO A SERVICE STATION HE NOTICED THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS FLAT THE BELT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. A FEW HOURS LATER THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRES FAILED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRES WERE ONLY THREE YEARS OLD WITH 3,000 MILES. THE VIN INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10348423
Incident
Jun 20, 2010
Suspension
Filed Sep 21, 2009
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FOREST RIVER G2 SILVER BACK RV (NA). WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE U BOLT CAME LOOSE ON THE AXLES AND CAUSED THE LEAF SPRINGS TO FALL OUT WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE AXLES TO SHIFT AT A 30 DEGREE ANGLE AND CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE LOOSE U BOLT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WHERE SORRY FOR THE FAILURE AND THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.

NHTSA ID
10284710
Incident
Sep 9, 2009
Mileage
600 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 19, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FOREST RIVER SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH, A SEMI-TRUCK SPED PAST THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO SWAY ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. HE SAFELY MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME AND ASSOCIATED MEMBERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RENDERED AS BEING COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED TO A FRAME SPECIALIST, WHO WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. HE HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10259345
Incident
Feb 13, 2009

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT5292

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an air condition that has poor performance during high ambient temperatures. Technician will need to check the refrigerant charge and record the recovered amount on the repair order. Technician should recharge the system if needed. Technician will also need to verify if Global Diagnostic System 2 high side readings match a high side pressure gauge. If the readings vary greatly diagnostics will need to be performed.

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 Sierra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2025010—
2024020—
2022020—
2021310—
2020000—
2019110—
2018020—
2017310—
2016320—
2015130—
2014130—
2013220—
2012010—
2011020—
2010120—
2009Viewing310—
2008210—
2007010—
2006320—
2005120—
2004030—
2003330—
2002210—
2001010—
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.