RoadVitals

2021 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.
4
Latest Mar 9, 2024
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.
4
Latest Apr 21, 2023
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Forest River Sunseeker, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 26 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

  • Driver assistance233.3%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Steering116.7%

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

4 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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 21, 2023
1,027 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Coachmen Galleria, Beyond, Forester, Sunseeker, and 2021-2024 Nova motorhomes, equipped with certain Cummins Onan QG 2800i, and Onan QG 2800i EVAP generator sets. The fuel hose between the inline fuel filter and the Injection Pump Module (IPM) may have inadequate clamp force, possibly resulting in a gasoline leak.
The risk: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Cummins Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2023. Owners may contact Cummins at: (800) CUMMINS OR (800) 286-6467. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-206-7600, or Coachmen Class B customer service at 1-574-825-8602. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1626.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1626View on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; SEATS

Aug 14, 2020
412 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Forest River Forester, Sunseeker, Dynamax Isata and Coachmen Galleria and Prism motorhomes built on Sprinter Van chassis equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
The risk: If the wiring harness is damaged, the side air bag within the seat may deploy inadvertently or not deploy as designed in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Sprinter dealers will inspect the wire harness routing for both front seats and will repair the wiring and add clips or cable ties as needed, free of charge. This recall began September 21, 2020. Owners may contact Daimler Vans customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Daimler Vans number for their recall is VS3DREHSIK. Forest's number for this recall is 51-1206.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1206View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

Jun 19, 2020
522 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Coachmen Galleria, Dynamax Isata, and Forest River Battisti Coach, Forester, and Sunseeker motorhomes, built on 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The rear part of the front fender liner may contact and chafe the brake hose, possibly resulting in a loss of brake fluid.
The risk: Loss of brake fluid can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will inspect and replace the brake hoses, as necessary. Additionally, the fender liners will be modified. All services will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3BRADVER. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1177.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1177View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Mar 9, 2024

My 2021 Chevy 4500 is an RV, anyway last September 2023. I was on a 2 1/2-week vacation driving on [XXX] near Lacy Washington and was in the middle lane moving over to the slow lane when the vehicle just stalled. I had just made it off the freeway by a few feet, I seriously thought we were going to get rear ended, especially by a truck because a majority were not moving over. They were rocking our RV as they passed us. The RV ended up starting and running good not stalling again, but it was at times difficult to start. We ended up taking it home to Mount Vernon, Washington to get it repaired. It was still under warranty, although the battery wasn't. I thought at first it was a fuel problem, but after getting it scanned it was a fuel pump problem then after the fuel pump was replaced, they said it was also the fuel Modulator. I had to wait for 4 and 1/2 months to get this replaced. meanwhile my 2-year battery went dead while it was sitting there at Blade Chevrolet in Mount Vernon, Washington and there was no pro-rate on it so I was stuck for the full price of the battery. At the time of this repair, I had about 11,878 miles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11576424
Incident
Sep 8, 2023
Driver assistanceSteering
Filed Jan 9, 2023

The message center displayed “Service Advance Trac” and the cruise control stopped working. Right after this event the steering wheel was no longer straight when driving straight but angled counterclockwise about 30 degrees. After this happened the warning always comes back and the cruise shuts off after starting the engine and driving a minute or two. The steering wheel has remained at the angled position when driving straight.

NHTSA ID
11500837
Incident
Nov 19, 2022
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 10, 2022

Our vehicle is stuck in park. Driver message system says “Do not shift, Contact Mercedes”. We have the Mercedes Sprinter 3500 XD chassis. While our vehicle had this happen in our driveway, internet research to resolve our issue revealed several Sprinters having the same issues while stopped in traffic.This is our second incident involving Mercedes dealer intervention. While we are inconvenienced, one could understand the dangerous impact a stalled rv on a interstate could become. We have not received any solution from Mercedes.

NHTSA ID
11468667
Incident
May 25, 2022
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 18, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CRUISE-CONTROL AND HILL ASSIST DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 72 MPH WITH CRUISE-CONTROL ACTIVATED, SUDDENLY, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND THE HILL START ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE WARNING MESSAGES FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE AS THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CLEAR THE WARNING LIGHTS BUT WAS UNABLE TO RE-ACTIVATE THE CRUISE-CONTROL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURER, THE MAKER OF THE CHASSIS; FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FINDING A DEALER THAT WAS ABLE TO SERVICE HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO TAKE THE RV TO RUSH TRUCK CENTERS (6800 E. 50TH AVE, COMMERCE CITY, CO 80022) WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE UNIT AND DISCOVERED A DEFECTIVE MODULE IN THE CRUISE-CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,176. *LN*JB*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11350024
Incident
Aug 10, 2020
Mileage
2,176 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

512020

According to Ford Recall 25V793: "According to Ford’s records, the remedy software for Safety Recall 20S73 may not have been installed correctly during a prior dealership visit. Because the correct software may not have been installed on your vehicle, the underlying condition specified in Safety Recall 20S73 may still exist. On your vehicle, it may be possible that the engine cover insulation does not fully extend to the perimeter of the factory engine cover. This may result in elevated temperatures at certain areas of the engine cover surface in the passenger compartment on both driver and passenger sides. Direct and continuous contact with exposed skin at these locations may increase the risk of skin irritation and/or a minor burn.

511967

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

According to Ford recall 25V442 / 25S72: "On your vehicle, it may be possible an error in the SYNC software can cause SYNC system instability concerns and/or a failure to preserve certain settings across ignition cycles. This may result in an intermittent blank image while in reverse or rear-view image remaining on display after reverse driving has ended. Other non-safety related symptoms may be present such as a black infotainment screen, incorrect language setting, and/or potential inability to perform software updates. A rear-view camera that intermittently displays a blank image while in reverse can reduce the driver’s view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. A rear-view camera that remains on after the backing event has ended can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash."

511869

SERVICE BRAKES

According to GM Recall 24V702: "The brake lines in these cutaway vehicles may not meet the recommended clearance to the GM-provided body mounts. If brake lines contact the body mounts, the brake line may experience wear or damage that could lead to a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced stopping performance or inoperative service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

511869

According to General Motors Recall 24V702: "The brake lines in these cutaway vehicles may not meet the recommended clearance to the GM-provided body mounts. If brake lines contact the body mounts, the brake line may experience wear or damage that could lead to a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak can result in reduced stopping performance or inoperative service brakes, increasing the risk of a crash."

511640

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

According to General Motors Recall 23V247: "These vehicles are equipped with an unused circuit that a final-stage manufacturer may elect to use to install an optional rear HVAC system. If the final-stage manufacturer leaves the circuit's connectors or cut wires unsealed, exposure to moisture or contamination may, over time, cause corrosion. This could result in high current draw through the circuit at the vehicles' lower left side B-pillar. Unintended release of excessive heat from the circuit may pose a risk of a vehicle fire and increase the risk of injury."

341646

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; TIRES

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), on some Ford E450 chassis may experience intermittent loss of signal at one of the wheels and display a fault on the information center of the dashboard. This fault should clear itself through normal operation of the vehicle. However, should the concern repeat, this document is produced as a dealer aid for customer satisfaction is wanted.

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
2021Viewing440
2020140
2019310
2018311
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.