RoadVitals

2016 Forest River Wildwood

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.
5
Latest Sep 7, 2020
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.
7
Latest Oct 10, 2025
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Forest River Wildwood, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and tires & wheels categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Body & structure466.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
25V682000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Oct 10, 2025
20,305 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.
The risk: Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1987View 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
18V436000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jun 27, 2018
326 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened.
The risk: The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install a replacement outside shower, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0762.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 44-0762View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Sep 7, 2020

I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY 87 NORTH OF GREAT FALLS MT. AT ABOUT 4:40 IN THE AFTERNOON ON SEPTEMBER 4TH 2020, THE TREAD OF REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2016 FOREST RIVER TRAVEL TRAILER CAME APART FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. AFTER GETTING THE TRAILER BACK UNDER CONTROL AND BROUGHT TO A SAFE STOP IT WAS NOTICED THAT SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGED WAS CAUSED TO THE TRIM SURROUNDING, ABOVE AND BEHIND THE TIRE, AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO THE TRAILERS PLUMBING THAT WAS BEHIND THE TIRE, ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO THE UNDERNEATH OF THE TRAILER INCLUDING THE WIRES FOR THE TRAILER BREAKS BEING TORN OUT FROM THE HUB. THE TREAD THAT CAME OFF THE TIRE ALONG WITH SOME OF THE BROKEN PLUMBING STRUCK THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND US. LUCKILY AFTER TALKING WITH THE INDIVIDUAL, THE DAMAGE THAT THEIR CAR SUBSTAINED WAS MINIMAL. THEY WERE ALONG WITH MYSELF WAS GLAD THAT IT WAS A RENTAL AND THEY BOUGHT THE EXTRA INSURANCE.

NHTSA ID
11353591
Incident
Sep 4, 2020
Mileage
20 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 3, 2017

TRAILER WAS PURCHASED NEW AT BEST RV IN TURLOCK CA. IT'S STORED ON A DRY DRIVEWAY IN CA. NO EXTENDED EXPOSURE TO RAIN OR SNOW. THE NUTS ATTACHING THE BODY TO THE FRAME ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND DETERIORATING. THE BOLTS FOR THE SUSPENSION ARE ALSO RUSTED. INCORRECT NUTS AND BOLTS WERE USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE TRAILER AND ARE UNSAFE. IF THE NUTS FURTHER DETERIORAT THEN THERE IS A CHANCE THE BODY OF THE TRAILER WILL DETACH FROM THE FRAME. I HAVE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER AND BOTH SAY THE WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER RUST. BUT THE INCORRECT PARTS WERE USED ARE ARE CAUSING THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11052081
Incident
Dec 9, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Mar 4, 2017

WHILE TOWING THE TRAILER THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE IN TUCSON AZ THE RIGHT TOUNGE FRAME RAIL BENT. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FROM LANE TO LANE OF ABOUT 15 INCHES. THE TRAILER WAS TILTING WHILE THE TOW VEHICLE WAS LEVEL ON THE LOWER LANE GOING THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE. *DT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS VIN.*JB

NHTSA ID
10958596
Incident
Jan 29, 2017
Mileage
1,000 mi
ElectricalTires & wheels
Filed Feb 8, 2017

WE WERE PROCEEDING SOUTH ON I-5 JUST SOUTH OF SAN CLEMENTE, CA, 55MPH IN SLOW (RT) LANE PULLING OUR 5TH WHEEL. TIRE (RT. RR OF TANDEM TRAILER) BLEW. I HEARD IT AND FELT IT RIGHT AWAY PULLED OVER TO SHOULDER AS QUICKLY AS I COULD SAFELY, IT TOOK ABOUT 200 YDS. FOUND THAT TREAD HAD PARTIALLY BLOWN OFF AND WRAPPED ITSELF TIGHTLY AROUND THE AXLE BETWEEN THE LEAF SPRING BRACKET AND THE BRAKE SHOE PLATE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BE UNABLE TO ROTATE AND DAMAGING THE RIM FROM DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT. WE WERE ONLY 21 MILES FROM OUR HOME FROM WHICH WE BEGAN OUR TRIP. I ALWAYS CHECK TIRE PRESSURE AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR TRIP ON TIRES OF THE TRAILER AND MY TOW VEHICLE TO INSURE THAT THEY ARE AT MAXIMUM CAPACITY. THE INCIDENT OCCURED AT APPROXIMATELY NOON ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY IN NOVEMBER, TEMP ABOUT 70 DEGREES. BLOWOUT OCCURED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TREAD AND NOT A SIDEWALL.

NHTSA ID
10950336
Incident
Nov 11, 2016
Mileage
2,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 2, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD. WHILE REVERSING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXLE DETACHED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10862667
Incident
Nov 27, 2015

Manufacturer communications

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

511213

EQUIPMENT

This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.

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 Wildwood by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026060—
2025280—
20241100—
2023360—
2022970—
202110100—
2020370—
20195110—
20181180—
2017590—
2016Viewing570—
2015460—
2014840—
2013520—
2012310—
2011420—
2010010—
2009010—
2008720—
2007010—
2006220—
2005120—
2004320—
2003230—
2002511—
20011011—
2000311—
1999011—
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.