RoadVitals

2021 Forest River Surveyor

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.
1
Latest Feb 25, 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 May 22, 2020
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2021 Forest River Surveyor, most frequently naming the other / unspecified category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Other / unspecified1100.0%

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
20V297000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; TRAILER HITCHES

May 22, 2020
88 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Surveyor Travel Trailers, model SVT296QBLE. The safety chains are insufficient for the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and may break in the event of the trailer coming unhitched.
The risk: If the vehicle trailer becomes detached from the tow-vehicle, the safety chains may break, leading to complete detachment and potential property damage, personal injury or a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and a dealer or service center will replace the safety chains, free of charge. The recall began June 8, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3112. Forest River's number for this recall is 37-1170.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 37-1170View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 25, 2022

The propane refrigerator shuts off and does not restart. This occurs everyone one to two hours. My selling Dealer and I have received no help in resolving this issue from the refrigerator manufacturer (Norcold) or the trailer manufacturer (Forest River). We believe it to be a significant safety issue that could cause a fire or explosion in the trailer.

NHTSA ID
11454030
Incident
Jun 7, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

371478

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The water heaters electric element is wired incorrectly at the control panel switch. If a user attempts to turn the electric element on, the switch will only illuminate.

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).

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 Surveyor by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2024000—
2023000—
2022020—
2021Viewing110—
2020440—
2019410—
2018450—
2017230—
2016060—
2015210—
2014110—
2013120—
2012120—
2011020—
2010010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004210—
2003020—
2002010—
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.