RoadVitals

2014 Prime Time Tracer

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.
3
Latest May 15, 2017
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.
1
Latest May 17, 2013
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Prime Time Tracer, most frequently naming the electrical, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Electrical133.3%
  • Fuel system133.3%
  • Powertrain (other)133.3%

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

1 campaign 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
13V203000

EQUIPMENT

May 17, 2013
9,526 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
The risk: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Forest River, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed May 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 (NA) PRIME TIME TRACER. WHILE THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE TRAILER AND NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS HITCHED TO THE VEHICLE. UPON REACHING HER DESTINATION, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE TRAILER AND SMELLED FUEL AGAIN. ALL THE WINDOWS WERE OPENED AND THE GAS WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FURNACE COVER AND PERFORM A SOAP AND WATER TEST FOR FUEL LEAKS. HER HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO FIND THE LEAK AT THE FURNACE FITTING, WHICH WAS LOOSE, AND HE TIGHTENED THE FITTING. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE TIGHTENING THE FURNACE FITTING. PREVIOUSLY, THE FURNACE TURNED ON INADVERTENTLY WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS IN USE. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE FURNACE WAS IGNITED BUT FAILED TO STAY ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WATER INSIDE THE FURNACE DUE TO GAPS. THE FURNACE WAS REPAIRED BY DRYING THE INSIDE OF THE FURNACE AND THE SEAMS WERE SEALED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RETURN PHONE CALL. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID
10985779
Incident
Jun 29, 2016
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 10, 2016

AFTER COMPLETING A RECENT CAMPING TRIP, I NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE BALDING, ON TIRES THAT HAVE LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEM. AS I LOOKED CLOSER AT THE CAUSE OF ONLY ONE TIRE BALDING, IT APPEARS THAT THE AXLE WAS BENT AND OUT OF LINE. FURTHER INSPECTIONS REVEALED THE AXLE RATINGS DID NOT MEET THE LISTED GVWR. EACH AXLE WAS RATED FOR 4400LBS. (THERE ARE 2 AXLES), EQUALING 8800LBS. GVWR IS LISTED AT 9567LBS., WHICH IS ABOVE 8800LBS. LEADING ME TO BELIEVE PRIME TIME MANUFACTURING PLACED UNDERSIZED AXLES ON THIS TRAVEL TRAILER, SINCE IT DOES NOT SUPPORT THE GVWR LISTED, AND CAUSING THE AXLE TO MISALIGN AND THE TIRE TO BALD. AS THIS IS A LARGE, 32FT. TRAVEL TRAILER, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE WEIGHT BE SUPPORTED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. AFTER CONTACTING PRIME TIME MANUFACTURING REGARDING THE AXLES, I WAS TOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRES, WHEELS, SUSPENSION, AND AXLES DOES NOT COUNT IN THE GVWR, MAKING THE TOTAL WEIGHT WITHIN THE 8800LB. LIMIT.

NHTSA ID
10915168
Incident
Sep 5, 2016
Electrical
Filed Apr 6, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 PRIME TIME TRACER 3200 BHT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SMOKE FUMES EMITTED FROM THE GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER AFTER IT TRIPPED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING WAS NOT COVERED WITH AN INSULATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10853888
Incident
Apr 2, 2016

Manufacturer communications

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

491410

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a generic use wiring diagram used for Prime Time Travel Trailer and Fifth-Wheel Recreationally Vehicles.

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

Prime Time Tracer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022130—
2021020—
2020000—
2019120—
2018010—
2014Viewing310—
2013010—
2012100—

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.