RoadVitals

2021 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler

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.
11
Latest Mar 6, 2026
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.
4
Latest Oct 24, 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 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Forest River Xlr Toyhauler, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 5 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

  • Tires & wheels753.8%
  • Body & structure215.4%
  • Electrical215.4%
  • Fuel system17.7%
  • Suspension17.7%

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

4 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

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:POTABLE WATER

Oct 24, 2025
1,868 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 XLR Toy Hauler travel trailers. The mounting brackets may be improperly located or secured, allowing the fresh water tank to detach when full.
The risk: A detached water thank can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and add securements to the tank as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0432. Forest River's number for this recall is 45-1997.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 45-1997View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Apr 13, 2022
99,190 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
The risk: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1501View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE

Oct 22, 2021
125 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XLR Toy Hauler recreational vehicles. The protective panel that separates the furnace and furnace components from the mid-deck cargo area is missing.
The risk: Cargo could contact the furnace wiring and other components, resulting in an electrical short and increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will install a felt-covered wall panel, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-642-0432. Forest River's number for this recall is 79-1432.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 79-1432View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Mar 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River XLR Toy Hauler equipped with Castle Rock Tires, Tire Line: ST Tires, Tire Size: 225/75/R15, DOT Number: TJULT 1MT. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the RV suddenly started to swerve, and the steering wheel became unstable. The contact regained control of the steering wheel and parked the vehicle on the shoulder of the roadway. Upon inspection, it was discovered that there was tread separation on the rear passenger’s side tire. The spare tire was mounted to the RV, and the contact continued driving on the interstate when the front driver's side tire experienced a similar failure. The RV was driven to a tire shop, and all four tires were replaced. The contact stated that the RV was poorly constructed. The aluminum siding was unsecured, and the gray water tank was continuously leaking water into the RV. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 8,500.

NHTSA ID
11722401
Incident
Mar 5, 2026
Mileage
8,500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Nov 20, 2023

This tire was mounted on my Forest River XLR Micro. The vehicle tires are rated for 2450lbs each @ 80 PSI. I was traveling with less than 8000lbs weight of the RV, and I had two of these tires blow out from the Sidewall/ tread area with in 20 miles of each other. This was the 3rd tire to blow out of the 5 original tires. I ALWAYS check my tire premeasure prior to traveling with my RV, and I know this trip I had 78-79 PSI cold. The tires were in very good shape, and had approximately 6400 miles on them. I have contacted the manufacture of tires, and they refused any warranty. I have also read online that other RVers have had the same issue with these tires. There should be a RECALL or something done.

NHTSA ID
11555965
Incident
Oct 27, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 27, 2023

Lionshead Castlerock st225/75r15 tire. We had 3 tires fail in 5 weeks, I filed seperate reports on the two that caused damage and high risk situations since it asks location of tire and doesn't give multiple as an option so I will focus on just this one in this report. We found the missing tread and delamination when we inspected and replaced this tire after the other 2 blowouts. This did cause a risky situation as we had to drive on damaged tire for 30 miles in the dark to find a dealer and sleep in their parking lot util they opened since we had already used our spare on the blow tire. At this time we have contacted the mfg of both the tires and trailer, filing warrantee paperwork with Lionshead. We have not heard anything back from them as of today.

NHTSA ID
11552199
Incident
Oct 21, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 27, 2023

Lionshead Castlerock ST225/75R15 Tires on XLR Boost Toy Hauler Trailer. Within 5 weeks we had 3 tires fail in 2 incidents. I have already filed on the 2nd incident, but since it asks for tire location I am filing this second complaint for first incident. In the incident in which the front passenger side tire failed, we were traveling along Hwy 2 outside of Monroe Washington headed up Stevens Pass to a campground in Eastern Washington. The tire blew out traveling about 55mph on a paved highway. When it blew a large section of tread turned into a flap that damaged the underside of the trailer tearing off insulation and vapor barrier. We had to change the tire on the side of the road with traffic passing dangerously close. Since it was almost dark when we were done and we did not have a second spare in case of another incident we took it slow up pass and had to sleep in a rest are until tire shop opened. It was dangerous changing tire on the side of the busy road and nerve wrecking crossing pass without spare, however at that time (5 weeks ago) we did not bother with reporting or contacting mfg. as we thought it was a isolated incident and maybe we ran over something. When we had 2 more tires fail within such a short time leaving us stranded again with more damage we realized this is probably a defective tire situation. At this time we have reached out to the mfg of both the tire and trailer but have not heard anything back. We had this tire replaced by Les Schwab in Wenatchee WA and put it back as the spare. There was no warning before the blowout and we check pressure and visually inspect tires regularly. This was only about about 30 miles into our cross country trip.

NHTSA ID
11552196
Incident
Aug 31, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 27, 2023

ST225/75R15 Castlerock Tires by Lionshead. We actually had three of these tires fail on this vehicle in 2 seperate incidents within 5 weeks. I will file them seperately as it asks tire location and doesn't give option for multiple. In the incident in which the Rear Passenger Side Tire failed, we were driving about 60mph on Mississippi Highway towing the 2021 XLR Boost Toy hauler trailer with a Ram3500 dually around 3am. We had checked pressures and visually inspected the tires before leaving Tennessee at midnight. The tire tread blew apart leaving a large strip that spun and severely damaged the underside of the trailer and ripped off wire harness. We were forced to change the tire and tie up wires on the side of a busy highway in the dark with semi trucks passing us at 70mph plus. We definitely felt in danger and after finding delamination and missing tread on second tire found ourselves stranded in Mississippi sleeping in GoodYear parking lot after "limping" 30 miles in the middle of the night. Sleeping in parking lots in random cities where you don't know anyone is also risky in my opinion. I had all 5 tires replaced at that time to avoid future issues. I have reached out to the manufacturer of both the tires and the trailer 2 days ago and have had no response at this time. There were no warning signs or lights before the tire blew, it seemed to be going smooth on paved highway. The trailer was not overloaded, at the time of this incident we did not have our motorcycles loaded in toy hauler, just clothes & food etc..

NHTSA ID
11552192
Incident
Oct 21, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 3, 2022

Multiple Tires: On highway travelling 55 - 60 mph when the tire blew on trailer. Tread went flying onto highway and damaged the underneath and side of the trailer. We checked tire pressure before we left on our short trip. Tires had minimal usage (estimated 1500 miles total). This was the worst one but on same trip another tire failed where tread separated from tire on 7/29/22. I have included photos of both and spare on trailer now with indicative info. The first flat however we were notified by passerby and were able to pull off highway and change the tire before any damage. Once we arrived home, my husband noticed another tire is warped. This is a total failure of these tires requiring all to be replaced. These tires should not be on the road. We are lucky nobody was hurt, injured or killed.

NHTSA ID
11477380
Incident
Jul 31, 2022
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Sep 14, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River XLR ToyHauler. The contact stated that there was a dent in the roof which allowed water into the trailer. The water leakage caused a shortage in the electrical system. The contact had not taken the trailer to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,800.

NHTSA ID
11432858
Incident
Jul 12, 2021
Mileage
1,800 mi
Suspension
Filed Sep 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Forest River XLR Toy Hauler. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 65 MPH, the rear driver’s side tire on the toy hauler detached from the vehicle without warning. The contact's husband was able to pull off the highway and a fellow motorist explained to them that the tire had detached from the toy hauler and rolled across the freeway and ricocheted off the divider. A highway patrol officer assisted her and her husband in attempting to find the tire; however, the tire was never found. The contact was able to remove the drum from the trailer and drove to an independent mechanic and had the tire replaced. The following day while her husband was driving at 60 MPH, another motorist notified them that another tire on the toy hauler was defective. The contact's husband pulled over and upon inspection he discovered that a bubble had formed on the front passenger’s side tire and that the rear passenger tire was severely worn. Her husband once again detached the toy hauler and replaced both tires. Due to the multiple tire failures on the vehicle, the contact and her husband determined that the failure may be linked to the axle and not the actual tires. All three defective tires were replaced. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ID
11432275
Incident
Sep 2, 2021
Mileage
2,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

791552

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

The black geocel roof sealant may not adhere to the front roof wrap joint, roof edge at the front corners.

791514

STRUCTURE

The slideroom roof header is split into two pieces whereas it should be a single solid piece across the entire length of the slideroom roof. This may allow water to intrude into the vehicle.

791514

STRUCTURE

The slideroom roof header is split into two pieces whereas it should be a single solid piece across the entire length of the slideroom roof. This may allow water to intrude into the vehicle.

831334

WHEELS

It was discovered that the manufacturing plant did not cut a stress relief line in the upper deck Driver Side and in on certain models, Passenger Side under the slide room(s). The upper deck in the Impression Fifth-Wheel needs to flex, without the "stress relief cut" the sidewall filon may crack under the slide room(s).

791262

COMMUNICATION: VEHICLE TO INFRASTRUCTURE; STRUCTURE

The Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW) listed on the Federal Placard and Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label have the potential to be higher than the actual weight therefore increasing the carrying capacity of the vehicle.

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 Xlr Toyhauler by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024110
2023010
2022760
2021Viewing1140
2020110
2019000
2018310
2017150
2016120

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.