RoadVitals

2003 Forest River Windsong

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.
6
Latest Sep 5, 2007
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 Apr 3, 2009
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Forest River Windsong, most frequently naming the brakes, tires & wheels 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

  • Brakes350.0%
  • Tires & wheels233.3%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%

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

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
09V110000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Apr 3, 2009
48,876 units potentially affected
The defect: NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MY 2001-2008 WORKHORSE W20, W21 AND W22 CHASSIS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MONACO RV ADMIRAL, ARISTA, MONARCH, AND RIPTIDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.
The risk: THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: WORKHORSE DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR BOSCH BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
NAVISTAR, INCManufacturer number 50901-C & 51101-CView on NHTSA.gov
07V085000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 5, 2007
128,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: FOREST RIVER WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600,
FOREST RIVER, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
03V347000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

Sep 17, 2003
1,200 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.
The risk: IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
FOREST RIVER, INC.Manufacturer number 02C01View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER WINDSONG. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY FIVE DAYS LATER, HE NOTICED OIL COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE NOT RELEASING THE BRAKE PADS AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,350 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,000. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB

NHTSA ID
10201921
Incident
Jun 29, 2007
Mileage
10,350 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FOREST RIVER WIND SONG. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATOR INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CALIPERS LOCKED WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE PADS, CRACKED THE ROTORS AND OVERHEATED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE MECHANIC DID NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. AS OF AUGUST 10, 2007, THE DEALER HAS NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 10,000.

NHTSA ID
10199079
Incident
Jul 17, 2007
Mileage
10,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2005

2003 CARGO MATE CARGO TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY FOREST RIVER. MODEL GACM718TA2, GCVW 7,000 LBS., DOUBLE AXLE WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES. SERIAL # [XXX] [XXX]. MANUFACTURED 03/2003 ELECTRIC WIRING FOR BRAKES ONLY GOES TO LEFT SIDE BRAKES. WIRING FOR BRAKES ON RIGHT SIDE WAS NEVER HOOKED UP. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10132816
Incident
Aug 14, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 22, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATES WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE RIGHT REAR, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE AROUND THE TIRE AREA. THE SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE LEFT REAR WHILE GOING APPROX.IMATELY 60 MPH. ALSO CAUSED THE SAME DAMAGE AS THE FIRST BLOW OUT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER IS KENDA-CLEVER A-P; TIRE:#LT235/85R16;

NHTSA ID
10126209
Incident
Jun 11, 2005
Mileage
13,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 21, 2004

WE WERE TRAVELING IN OUR 2003 28' SUNSEEKERCLASS C MOTORHOME, WHICH HAS LESS THAN 3,000 MILES. ON OUR TRIP OUT A FEW DAYS EARLIER, THE VALVE STEM FELL OFF THE PASSENGER-SIDE INSIDE DUAL TIRE CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND A NEW VALVE STEM PUT ON. FIVE DAYS LATER, ON THE RETURN TRIP WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH ON I 495 IN MA, THE SAME TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT. A FIST-SIZED HOLE WAS ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE'S SIDEWALL. FIRESTONE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOIDED BECAUSE A NON-FIRESTONE DEALER HAD REPAIRED THE VALVE STEM. WE WERE TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN NO RECALLS ON THESE TIRES AND A NEW ONE COULD BE BOUGHT FOR $160. *JB

NHTSA ID
10088326
Incident
Aug 20, 2004
Mileage
2,280 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 11, 2003

TWO FRONT RIMS CRACKED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR WHILE DRIVING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050400
Incident
Jan 23, 2003
Mileage
8,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Windsong by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004010—
2003Viewing630—
2002140—
2001130—
2000220—
1999020—
1998210—
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.