RoadVitals

2020 Forest River Vibe

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 Aug 5, 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.
2
Latest May 13, 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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Forest River Vibe, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, brakes and suspension 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

  • Other / unspecified240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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

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
20V269000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

May 13, 2020
22 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Vibe trailers, models VBT16RB-OR and VBT17DB-OR. The roof vent for the refrigerator may be missing.
The risk: Insufficient ventilation may cause the refrigerator to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire or result in a carbon monoxide buildup, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a vent on the roof for the refrigerator, free of charge. The recall began on June 1, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at (503) 831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1166.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 22-1166View on NHTSA.gov
20V049000

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

Jan 29, 2020
218 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.
The risk: In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1129View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 5, 2023

Castle Rock ST225/75R15 DOT Code JULT 1MT Date Code 3019 tire on spare tire rack mounted on rear bumper of travel trailer exploded in the area of where the tread and sidewall meet. This tire had never been put into use. Lions head Tire and Wheel has been informed via their online form email to the contact specified.

NHTSA ID
11536659
Incident
Jul 27, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 28, 2022

Purchased trailer new 02/2020, after recent trip had trailer in to repack wheel bearings and check brakes. Dealer notified me of burnt wheel bearing and states brakes bad. Also needs to replace hubs? When I brought trailer home noticed right rear axle tire had cords showing on outside of tire and inside tread was separating, left rear axle tire was wore off on inside of tire. Front axle tires OK. Initially had no problems or warnings with trailer. Replaced tires. Dealer didn't notice tire problem, could have been safety issue if blown while traveling. Don't have tire brand handy. I see there is possibly axle/bearing problems with 2019 Vibes!, and certain brands of tires? [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11476254
Incident
Jul 20, 2022
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Feb 17, 2020

NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRES AND THE BOTTOM OF THE CAMPER CAUSING THE TIRES TO IMPACT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAMPER WHILE TOWING. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DAMAGE THE TIRES AND CAUSE DEFLATION AND A POSSIBLE CRASH.

NHTSA ID
11309726
Incident
Dec 28, 2019
Mileage
500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

59-1555

EQUIPMENT

Generic side wall prints.

591431

STRUCTURE

Rear wall print showing backer locations to add a ladder.

591130

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE

The furnace was installed without the duct plate, whereas the particular application requires the duct plate to be installed for proper air circulation within the recreational vehicle. The furnace may not perform as intended, resulting in nuisance furnace cycling.

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 Vibe by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010—
2024010—
2023000—
2022030—
2021120—
2020Viewing320—
2019520—
2018220—
2017240—
2016540—
2015220—
2014010—

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.