RoadVitals

2013 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.
2
Latest Mar 13, 2015
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Forest River Sierra, most frequently naming the suspension category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Suspension1100.0%

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
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

Filed Mar 13, 2015

WHEN UNWINTERIZING MY RV I NOTICED THE WHEEL ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AXLE OF MY 2013 FOREST RIVER SIERRA 365SAQ WAS PITCHED SEVERAL INCHES SO THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE WHEEL WAS 'OUT' FROM THE TRAILER AND THE TOP WAS LEANING TOWARDS THE TRAILER. I JACKED THE TRAILER UP TO REMOVE WEIGHT FROM THE AXLE AND THE PITCH DID NOT IMPROVE. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AND THE HUB TO INSPECT THE AXLE. THE END OF THE AXLE, THE SPINDLE, WAS SLIGHTLY BENT. THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRED SO I CONTACTED THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT LINE FOR THE AXLE MANUFACTURER, AL-KO. AL-KO REQUESTED VEHICLE INFORMATION AND INFORMATION FROM THE WEIGHT LABELS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS THEN ADVISED THAT I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT FOREST RIVER AS THE AXLES WERE POTENTIALLY OVERLOADED AND AS THEY WERE INSTALLED IN A POTENTIALLY IMPROPER APPLICATION AL-KO WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I WAS ADVISED TO REVIEW ECFR TITLE 49, SUBTITLE B, CHAPTER V, PART 571.120 AND FEDERAL REGISTER, VOLUME 72 ISSUE 232 BEFORE CONTACTING FOREST RIVER. FOREST RIVER INITIALLY SUGGESTED THAT I MIGHT NEED TO BRING THE TRAILER (WITH THE BENT AXLE) TO THEIR PLANT IN INDIANA FROM MY HOME IN NEW JERSEY; THOUGH WHEN MANAGEMENT WAS ASKED TO APPROVE THE REPAIR THE REPAIR WAS REJECTED ENTIRELY BASED ON THE AGE (32 MONTHS) OF THE VEHICLE. BASED ON MY REVIEW OF ECFR TITLE 49 I DON'T BELIEVE THEY PROPERLY CALCULATED WEIGHT OR IS DISTRIBUTION THROUGHOUT THE TRAILER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY EQUIPPED WITH 6K POUND AXLES, ITS LABELED GVWR 14060, ITS FACTORY DRY WEIGHT IS 12570, 12720 AFTER DEALER OPTIONS. THE OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLIED STATES THAT THE PIN WEIGHT IS 10%-15% OF THE GVWR, BUT THE LOW SIDE (10%) WOULD LEAVE 12654 ON THE AXLES; 654 POUNDS OVERLOADED AT A MINIMUM. EVEN AT 15% 11951 IS ON THE AXLES, BUT 15% TRANSFER IS DOUBTFUL AS THE MAJORITY OF STORAGE IN THE TRAILER IS IN THE REAR OF THE UNIT. I AM STILL WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM FR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10694223
Incident
Mar 8, 2015
Mileage
5,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 13, 2013

I PURCHASED A 2013 FOREST RIVER 356 SAQ IN AUGUST OF 2012. I USED IT DURING THE REST OF THAT SEASON. COME TO FIND OUT FOREST RIVER ONLY PUT 6 THOUSAND POUND AXLES UNDER A 40+ FOOT CAMPER. IN THE SPRING I PULLED IT TO A CAT SCALE AND WEIGHED THE UNIT. MY VERY UNLOADED CAMPER REAR AXLE WEIGHT WAS 11,500 LBS. THIS POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO OVER LOAD AND NOT EVEN KNOW. IF I WERE TO FILL MY FRESH WATER TANK THIS WOULD SURELY PUT ME VERY CLOSE TO THE AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS AND OVER ONCE I LOAD MY UNIT WITH ALL THE THINGS WE NEED FOR A FAMILY OF 4 TO GO CAMPING. IN THE LATER 2013 MODELS FOREST RIVER CAME OUT WITH THE OPTION OF 7 THOUSAND POUND AXLES. THIS LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FOREST RIVER SIERRA DIVISION VIA E-MAIL ANY THEY SAID IF I WOULD TOW MY UNIT FROM MAINE TO INDIANA (ON MARGINAL AT BEST AXLES) AND THEY WOULD DO THE WORK FOR $2500. *TR

NHTSA ID
10552044
Incident
Apr 13, 2013

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP4949D

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a hard start or a no start. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code DTCs P0087, P0088, P0191 or P128E. Technician will need to follow all Service Information diagnose for the Diagnostic Trouble Code. If the current Service Information diagnostic has led to Fuel Injection Pump replacement, Fuel Pressure Regulator 1 must be inspected for magnetic metal debris. If there is a questionable amount of magnetic debris found on Pressure Regulator 1 remove the Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor and/or Fuel Pressure Regulator 2 to inspect for magnetic metal debris. If technician will need to replace all of the parts listed under the latest version of PIP4949 found in the Service Forms section of Global Connect if debris is found. Clean and flush all fuel chassis lines, filter pipes, and other engine mounted fuel system pipes not replaced. Also the fuel filter housing must be cleaned with a new fuel filter installed. Then the fuel tank and fuel sender must be cleaned and flushed.

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—
2013Viewing220—
2012010—
2011020—
2010120—
2009310—
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.