RoadVitals

2018 Forest River Sunseeker

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 Dec 1, 2022
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 Aug 18, 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.
1
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Forest River Sunseeker, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Other / unspecified150.0%

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
17V513000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Aug 18, 2017
184 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Dynamax, Forester, Sunseeker, and Coachmen Prism vehicles built on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: Operating the vehicle with low front tire pressures may result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will inspect and replace the tire pressure label with correct tire inflation pressure, free of charge. The recall began on September 5, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-854-888-3214. Forest River's number for this recall is 35.55.215-0491.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 35.55.215-0491View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE20021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures

Opened Nov 23, 2020
Closed Dec 13, 2024

On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 1, 2022

While performing an under vehicle safety and integrity inspection the following potential Personnel Safety item was noted. The outlet hose from the gas regulator of the on board propane tank to the vehicle distribution manifold is severely stressed and kinked due to the hose short length and restricted bend radius. The physical state of all surfaces of the hose can not be verified in the subject area. The restriction not only poses a flow concern but also accelerated cracking, and thus a fire and/ or explosion concern.

NHTSA ID
11495649
Incident
Dec 1, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Oct 19, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS INSIDE THE MOBILE HOME, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MOBILE HOME WAS HAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,800. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11365145
Incident
Oct 6, 2020
Mileage
3,800 mi
Filed Mar 9, 2019

FLEX PROPANE HOSE FROM MAIN PIPE TO STOVE/OVEN. WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND RUBBED AGAINST DRIVELINE WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11185566
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
7,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

511312

WHEELS

As per Mercedes Interim Recall Notice 21V042, one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially could lead to a disablement of the Electronic Stability Control control unit functions. If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

511275

STEERING

As per Mercedes-Benz Recall 2020-545; MBAG has determined that on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, the hydraulic power steering return line hoses might detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, which could cause hydraulic fluid to leak, resulting in the loss of power steering assist. If the hydraulic power steering hose detaches, the driver will still have manual steering functionality, but increased steering effort will be needed, particularly at low speeds. Sudden loss of power steering assist as well as the loss of hydraulic steering fluid to the road surface may increase the risk of a crash.

511083

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

Daimler AG (DAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that a defect related to a motor vehicle emissions control system may exist on certain Model Year 2016-2018 Sprinter models. Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. (MBC) therefore has initiated a voluntary warranty extension related to the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve on these vehicles.

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 Sunseeker by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024120—
2023250—
2022130—
2021440—
2020140—
2019310—
2018Viewing311—
2017420—
2016130—
2015020—
2014240—
2013140—
2012010—
2011210—
2010020—
2006210—
2005110—
2004220—
2003320—
2002310—
2001010—
2000310—
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.