RoadVitals

2015 Forest River Wildcat

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 Apr 28, 2025
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.
3
Latest Aug 21, 2018
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Forest River Wildcat, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and body & structure categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes228.6%
  • Other / unspecified228.6%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

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

3 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
18V550000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Aug 21, 2018
5,847 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
The risk: If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 22/30-0824View on NHTSA.gov
17V756000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
365,885 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-0544View on NHTSA.gov
15V128000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Mar 4, 2015
94 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Wildcat WCF275CKX, WCF272RLX, WCF295RSX, WCF293REX, WCF282RKX, and WCF312BHX recreational fifth wheel trailers manufactured November 6, 2014, to February 18, 2015. The affected vehicles may be equipped with Federal Certification Labels that incorrectly state the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to be 13,000lbs. when the correct GVWR is 11,999lbs. As such, these trailers fail to conform to Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: If the trailer is overloaded, the trailer pin box (the connection point for the trailer to the vehicle) may fail, resulting in a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will send corrected Federal Certification Labels, free of charge. The recall began on March 24, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Apr 28, 2025

Out frame is bent on both sides above the shackles towards the driver side about 5”. Insurance said it wear and tear. We do traveling healthcare and are stuck outside of an area we can work as it’s where we stay when on contract. We can’t find anywhere to work on it either.

NHTSA ID
11657138
Incident
Apr 3, 2025
Electrical
Filed May 11, 2018
Fire reported

2015 FOREST RIVER WILDCAT 5TH WHEEL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MICROWAVE MALFUNCTION WHICH CAUSED A FIRE INSIDE VEHICLE. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID
11093088
Incident
Dec 16, 2017
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Mar 1, 2016
Fire reported

FOREST RIVER WILDCAT MAXX YEAR 2015 ; BRAKE FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOCKED UP GOING 30-35 MPH ENTERING XPRESS WAY OUTSIDER SACRAMENTO CALIF. AND STARTED SMOKING RESPONDING TO FIRE EXTINGUISHER. ON ROAD WORKER FIXED BY DISCONNECTING BRAKE. STARTED AGAIN AND 3 REMAINING BRAKES LOCKED. HE AGAIN DISCONNECTED THEM AND WE TRAVELED 700 PLUS MILES TO MESA ARIZONA. WHEN ARRIVED IN TRAILER PARK, NOTED IN PARKING 5THWHEEL THAT FRONT DRIVER WHEEL HUB WAS CIRCUMFERENTIALLY TORN OUT. VEHICLE PARKED AND REPAIRED FOR OVER $2300.00. I BELIEVE FROM WHAT HAS BEEN REPORTED ON SAFERCAR.GOV THAT THE AXEL MAY NOT ABLE TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND BECAME BENT RESULTING IN TEARING OUT THE WHEEL HUB AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY WE STOPPED DRIVING IT FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. WE NEED A NEW AXLE THAT CAN HANDLE THE WEIGHT OF THE WILDCAT MAXX AS A RECALL BY FOREST RIVER. CAN HELP US? [XXX]. [XXX]. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *TR

NHTSA ID
10839154
Incident
Dec 8, 2015
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Mar 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER WILDCAT. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE STARTED SMOKING. THE DRIVER EXTINGUISHED THE TIRE. AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC CAME OUT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE BRAKE WAS DISCONNECTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE STARTED SMOKING. THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHIANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE BRAKES HAD TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE REAR AND FRONT PASSENGER AND REAR DRIVER SIDES. THE BRAKES WERE DISCONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10839149
Incident
Dec 8, 2015

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Wildcat by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023000—
2022030—
2021040—
2019020—
2018230—
2017230—
2016130—
2015Viewing430—
2014140—
2013120—
2012310—
2011120—
2010710—
2009010—
2008110—
20071010—
2006420—
2005320—
20041020—
2003130—
2002310—
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.