RoadVitals

2021 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 Jul 31, 2023
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 24, 2021
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 2021 Forest River Sierra, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%

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
21V378000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

May 24, 2021
18 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Sierra and Sandpiper Fifth Wheel and Travel Trailers. The bolts that hold the floor to the chassis were improperly tightened.
The risk: Improperly tightened bolts could cause the trailer body to detach from the chassis, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will tighten the bolts to the chassis outriggers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4574. Forest River's number for this recall is 03-1347.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 03-1347View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Jul 31, 2023

Recently I had the glass over my dining table shatter. My concern is not that it shattered, but the size of the shards.Although the glass shattered only after I shut the door on the trailer. It is my understanding that per ANSI Z26.1 that each shard should weigh no more than 4.25g. And anything larger is a sign that the glass was not tempered properly. I reached out to Forest River who reached out to the Lippert the manufacturer. The are claiming the glass is not covered. But they did not address the tempering of the glass. I still have the glass and have photos of the glass and photos of of some shards and their weight.. Please look into this.

NHTSA ID
11535600
Incident
Jul 22, 2023
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 28, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Sierra Model 379FLOK travel trailer. The contact stated that while the travel trailer oven was in use, the heat vent on the back of the oven melted the backsplash. The travel trailer was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure.

NHTSA ID
11434758
Incident
Sep 28, 2021
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Sierra fifth wheel trailer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the trailer brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the "trailer wiring fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response.

NHTSA ID
11427488
Incident
Jul 1, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

031812

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Technical Document of how to diag. a fan speed in an Aircxel Air Conditioner.

511589

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:INVERTER

Progressive Dynamics model PD1610 Power Inverter with error code(s) "E-8" and/or "E-9". This is due to an error in shipping the incorrect remote control for the power inverter. This document has been posted on Forest River's DealerConnect to direct the user to contact the appropriate Forest River manufacturing division for a replacement, free of charge.

511377

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

As per Lippert Components Technical Service Bulletin 11-004-21. The slide room actuator was assembled incorrectly, which may cause the room to become stuck in the out position and prevent from fully retracting.

831334

WHEELS

It was discovered that the manufacturing plant did not cut a stress relief line in the upper deck Driver Side and in on certain models, Passenger Side under the slide room(s). The upper deck in the Impression Fifth-Wheel needs to flex, without the "stress relief cut" the sidewall filon may crack under the slide room(s).

031226

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS; TIRES; WHEELS:RIM

The Federal Placard indicates an incorrect tire size of ST235/85R16/F whereas the correct tire size and tire/rim combination installed on the vehicle is ST255/85R16/E.

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—
2021Viewing310—
2020000—
2019110—
2018020—
2017310—
2016320—
2015130—
2014130—
2013220—
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.