RoadVitals

2021 Forest River Vengeance

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.
7
Latest Aug 22, 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.
2
Latest Apr 13, 2022
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Forest River Vengeance, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Tires & wheels333.3%
  • Body & structure222.2%
  • Other / unspecified222.2%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%

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

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Apr 13, 2022
99,190 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
The risk: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1501View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER

Jul 1, 2020
370 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Vengeance trailers, models VGF351A13-81, VGF371A13-81, VGF383V16-81 and VGF4007V-81. The fifth-wheel landing legs may not be seated properly with enough space between the brackets which are welded to the chassis, allowing the fifth wheel to slip down the landing leg and can puncture the floor of the vehicle.
The risk: The punctured floor can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will correct the spacing of the landing leg installation to the chassis from 17 1/2" to 17 3/4". These repairs will be done free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 81-1180.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 81-1180View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 22, 2022
1 injury reported

Well after i tried to see if there was any warranty on my fifth-wheel. I contacted BAL industries. They where very helpful. After purchasing a new landing leg with motor along with a new brain for the auto leveling system. I then calibrated all legs and tried to auto level the trailer. It actually worked. Fast forward a week later big camping trip for four days. well got to where we are camping and once again only one landing gear leg worked. the other one just make a popping noise. Mind you it was still on my truck. tried turning on and off multiple time and even rechecked each leg. They all worked but the right front. So that was a fun four days in a not so level $115,000.00 trailer. Well got home and manually got the trailer off. I worked with BAL as no one would help at the local forest river dealer. I got another brain and installed it again. Recuperated all legs. working as it should even could use the auto level feature. Third time sense I bought the trailer. Now another four day trip. Went to pull trailer off the truck it came off no issues, Then auto level feature would not work. it only would drop the rear jacks and bring up the front left very unsafe. This is how it fell on my head the last time. Now got it level enjoyed the couple days there. Then i go to leave dropped the trailer on to the truck. Right leg will not move electrically or manually. Well after four hours and three jacks later I was able to put it back on my truck and head home. I have contacted my local dealer but they are two months out and they said no recall or warranty for this trailer at this time. so i have to pay out of pocket. Well if i am paying the monthly payment i do not want it to sit for months on end. This is disappointing as I spent a lot of money for this fifth wheel trailer and it has been nothing but a pain. No support other then the BAL industries. I couldn't even get my local Forrest River dealer to take my money for a extended warranty that they said they had.

NHTSA ID
11480549
Incident
Aug 21, 2022
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Vengeance equipped with Castle Rock tires, Tire Line: Radial ST226 Dueler, Tire Size: 235/80/R16, DOT Number: JUMR2MT0521. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side front and rear tires and the passenger’s side tire experienced blowouts with tread ply separation on two separate occasions. The contact’s son was able to pull over and replace the tires with spares. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID
11469172
Incident
Jun 14, 2022
Mileage
5,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 30, 2022

Traveling at 65 miles per hour the tire blew out.

NHTSA ID
11466670
Incident
May 30, 2022
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed May 26, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Vengeance. The contact stated while attempting to attach the trailer to his vehicle, the right landing gear leg extended and started to lift up, however, the left landing gear leg went inward and fractured. The vehicle then fell on the left side. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the left landing gear leg was significantly smaller than needed, causing the failure while attempting to lift the trailer. The independent mechanic replaced the left side landing gear leg however, the right landing gear leg became inoperable. The independent mechanic diagnosed that both landing gear legs were not adequate to lift the trailer. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the landing gear controller was no longer operative as there was a significant amount of current going through the wiring system, causing the right output of the controller to fail. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11466198
Incident
May 26, 2022
Suspension
Filed May 26, 2022
1 injury reported

Ground control 2.0 system will not lift my 17,500lbs fifth wheel toy-hauler. As this system will only lift 15,500lbs. I purchased a new landing gear leg as Forest River and Western Skies Rv would not replace as it was out of warranty which was a week prior.This is issue and needs to be taken care of. If these fifth wheel trailers are no equip with the proper lifting landing gear how are you suspost to use this 110,000.00 dollar RV?

NHTSA ID
11466194
Incident
Apr 8, 2022
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 18, 2022

The contact owns Sailun tires, Tire Line: Sailun, Tire Size: 235/85/R16, DOT Number: 1YJ216. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21T018000 (Tires) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue but did not provide any assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but did not return the contact's phone calls. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11447831
Incident
Dec 17, 2021
Body & structure
Filed Apr 15, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER VENGEANCE TRAILER. THE CONTACT HAD DETACHED THE TRAVEL TRAILER FROM HIS TRUCK AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO LEVEL THE TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN THE TRAILER COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TWO FRONT PULL PINS WERE FAULTY. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FAULTY PARTS HIMSELF. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.*DT*DT*DT

NHTSA ID
11408203
Incident
Apr 9, 2021
Mileage
2,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

4001383

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This document supports all 2021 Soft Side Truck Camper and 2021 Rogue Truck Camper manufactured with a "X-Lift Mechanism".

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 Vengeance by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010
2024000
2023100
2022240
2021Viewing720
2020120
2019410
2018340
2017140
2016550
2015350
2014240
2013130
2012020
2011020
2010020
2009020
2008010
2007010
2006010
2005010
2004010
2003010

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.