RoadVitals

2017 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.
2
Latest Jun 26, 2019
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Forest River Wildcat, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and other / unspecified 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

  • Driver assistance133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%

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
17V282000

TIRES

Apr 26, 2017
71 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Salem, Wildwood, XLR, Sanibel, Wildcat, Vengeance, Chaparral Lite and Columbus recreational trailers. The Federal Placard may inaccurately list the tire and rim combinations that are installed on the trailers. Additionally, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."
The risk: The incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, all scenarios that may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-04242017-0393.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-04242017-0393View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 26, 2019

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75 BELOW LEXINGTON KY, I EXPERIENCED TWO BLOWOUTS ON EACH SIDE OF MY CAMPER 3 MONTHS APART. I HAVE HAD THE CAMPER FOR THREE YEARS AND THE TIRES ARE ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH GOOD TREAD ON THEM. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND RECEIVED NO RESULTS.

NHTSA ID
11222743
Incident
Jun 23, 2019
Mileage
7,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 14, 2017

RE: 2017 WILDCAT MAXX MODEL T32BHXS PURCHASE DATE: MAY 22, 2017 DEAR MR. MAGNACCA: I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU MY RECENT PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE CITED TRAVEL TRAILER WHICH HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECTS AND POSES A RISK OF HEALTH AND SAFETY TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. PART OF THE DEFECTS FIRST PRESENTED ON OUR FIRST CAMPING TRIP IN LATE MAY WHEN THE SLIDERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. WE RETURNED THE COACH TO SPRAD'S RV AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN 'ELECTRICAL' ISSUE AND WAS REPAIRED. ON JULY 30, 2017, WE FOUND THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AS WE PREPARED TO LEAVE FOR A LONG PLANNED CAMPING TRIP. AFTER USING THE MANUAL CRANK TO HOOK UP THE TRAILER TO TOW, WE PROCEEDED ON OUR TRIP UNDER THE MISTAKEN BELIEF THAT THE BATTERY WOULD RECHARGE ONCE WE WERE HOOKED UP TO SHORE POWER. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN AND THE COACH REACHED AN INSIDE TEMPERATURE OF 109 DEGREES. FROM THAT POINT FORWARD BEGAN A NIGHTMARE WEEK FOR ME AND MY GUESTS. I HAVE NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH POOR SERVICE WITH ANY BUSINESS IN MY LIFE. DURING THE ENTIRE EPISODE THAT I WILL DETAIL BELOW, NEVER ONCE DID ANYONE INFORM ME THAT THERE WAS A 1-800 NUMBER TO CALL FOR ROADSIDE SERVICE. DEFECTS KNOWN AT THIS TIME: 'FAULTY WIRING 'CONVERTER (INSTALLED IMPROPERLY) '2 BATTERIES (WILL NOT TAKE A CHARGE) 'INCONSISTENT POWER TO ALL PLUGS IN THE COACH 'MISALIGNED CRANK HOLE FOR BACK SLIDER 'NO ACCESS OR HOLE FOR LIVING ROOM SLIDER 'GFCI MALFUNCTION 'NO MANUAL ABILITY TO RETRACT AWNING (WITHOUT A PROFESSIONAL) 'TRIM PULLING AWAY FROM COACH 'CABLE AND TV NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY 'HANDLE ON BLACK WATER TANK IS MISSING

NHTSA ID
11015118
Incident
Jul 30, 2017
Mileage
600 mi

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—
2017Viewing230—
2016130—
2015430—
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.