2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
9 recalls, 7 complaints - 9 TSBs
25V682000 Oct 10, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
20V563000 Sep 18, 2020
TRAILER HITCHES
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers. The break-away safety switch may not be wired to constant power, which can cause the trailer brakes to not activate in the event of a trailer separation from the tow vehicle.
Consequence
If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.
18V550000 Aug 21, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Defect Description
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 ... Read more
Consequence
If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
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.
18V436000 Jun 27, 2018
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Defect Description
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.
Consequence
The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.
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.
18V232000 Apr 12, 2018
TIRES
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Salem recreational trailers, model SMT282QBXL-OR. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may incorrectly state the tire pressure as 54 PSI, however, the correct tire pressure is 65 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply ... Read more
Consequence
Incorrect tire pressure information can cause the operator to under inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Forest River has notified owners and provided a tire placard with the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-0693.
17V790000 Dec 8, 2017
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly states that the trailers are equipped with ST215/75R15 Load Range D tires, however, the installed tires are size ST205/75R15 Load Range D. As such... Read more
Consequence
If the incorrect label causes the operator to install tires of the wrong size, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners and provide corrected Federal Placards, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-848-1335. Forest River's number for this recall is 05-0595.
17V756000 Nov 22, 2017
EQUIPMENT
Defect Description
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 tra... Read more
Consequence
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
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... Read more
17V484000 Aug 2, 2017
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may state an incorrect weight of the trailer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence
An incorrect weight on the label may affect how the operator loads the vehicle, impacting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard with correct weight and cargo carrying capacity, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 63-0... Read more
17V282000 Apr 26, 2017
TIRES
Defect Description
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... Read more
Consequence
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.
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.
Complaint Statistics
7 total complaints
1 fires
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
TIRES
Mar 7, 2021
Incident date: Feb 13, 2021
TRAVELING ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE, 9:00 A.M., PORT SAINT LUCIE AREA. A LOUD BANG AND THE BLOWN TIRE. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. WE MADE IT SAFELY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHERE WE AWAITED FHP FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON WE TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND BOUGHT A NEW SPARE BEFORE CONTINUING OUR TRIP... Read more
WHEELS
Feb 9, 2020
Incident date: Feb 7, 2020
TRAVELING FROM NEWTON TO PANAMA CITY FL, 5 MILES ACROSS STATE LINE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW APART. SPLIT FROM ONE BEAD TO THE OTHER. TREAD LAYER CAKE OFF AND DAMAGED TRAVEL TRAILER. TIRES WERE ST225/75R15 CASTLEROCK 8PLY TRAILER TIRES. CAME ON TRAILER FROM FACTORY. DOT DATE CODE 4516. JUST OVER 3YRS OLD... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY
Mar 13, 2019
Incident date: Nov 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE CON... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Mar 13, 2019
Incident date: Nov 23, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE CON... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY
Feb 27, 2019
Incident date: Nov 28, 2018
I RECEIVED A NEW FOREST RIVER RV, TRAVEL TRAILER WITH RUSTED GAS LINE PIPING AND FRAME
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jun 30, 2018
Incident date: Jun 8, 2018
WE WERE SITTING IN OUR TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, LIKE AN ELECTRICAL BURN. I WENT AROUND OUR TRAVEL TRAILER AND LOOKED UNDER THE SINK AND SAW THE WATER HEATER SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICITY. IT TURNS OUT, THE AC JUNCTION BOX THAT ATTACHED TO THE WATER HEAT... Read more
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Oct 26, 2017
Incident date: Oct 3, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM HEMISPHERE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE FAN, LIGHTS, AND SLIDE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR 6-8 WEEKS. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER... Read more
Technical Service Bulletins, 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
9 manufacturer communications from 6 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 350000 EQUIPMENT | 3 |
| 351000 EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER | 2 |
| 160000 STRUCTURE | 2 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | 1 |
511435
Oct 29, 2021
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Generic instructions for Xantrex - Freedom X Inverter Configuration "Adjusting Feature Settings in Configuration Model".
511435
Oct 29, 2021
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Generic instructions for Xantrex - Freedom X Inverter Configuration "Adjusting Feature Settings in Configuration Model".
511323
Apr 7, 2021
160000 STRUCTURE
Rear wall backer locations for installation of rear ladders at dealerships.
511213
Aug 5, 2020
350000 EQUIPMENT
This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.
041104
Nov 1, 2019
160000 STRUCTURE
The 42DL model has a potential of the side wall bowing when the sliderooms are in the deployed position. Add decorative gussets per notice.
510692
Sep 28, 2018
350000 EQUIPMENT
Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?The nuisance issue enunciates by either blowing the protective fuse, opening the circuit breaker in the furnace circuit, or rendering the furnace inoperative. Our testing has shown that in ALL instance
510692
Sep 28, 2018
351000 EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?The nuisance issue enunciates by either blowing the protective fuse, opening the circuit breaker in the furnace circuit, or rendering the furnace inoperative. Our testing has shown that in ALL instance
510780
Sep 28, 2018
350000 EQUIPMENT
Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?Dometic Corporation has identified a visual cosmetic defect that has occurred on our Dometic DM2652 refrigerators up in the freezer compartment. This does NOT occur on all units, but may be present on
510780
Sep 28, 2018
351000 EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?Dometic Corporation has identified a visual cosmetic defect that has occurred on our Dometic DM2652 refrigerators up in the freezer compartment. This does NOT occur on all units, but may be present on
FOREST RIVER SALEM - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the FOREST RIVER SALEM across all model years (1997, 2026).
128
Total Recalls
142
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
1
Reported Crashes
6
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
FOREST RIVER SALEM - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2025 | 8 | 7 | View |
| 2024 | 10 | 8 | View |
| 2023 | 5 | 3 | View |
| 2022 | 7 | 22 | View |
| 2021 | 10 | 4 | View |
| 2020 | 7 | 14 | View |
| 2019 | 11 | 9 | View |
| 2018 (current) | 9 | 7 | |
| 2017 | 9 | 6 | View |
| 2016 | 8 | 15 | View |
| 2015 | 5 | 14 | View |
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | View |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | View |
| 2012 | 1 | 4 | View |
| 2011 | 3 | 3 | View |
| 2010 | 2 | 2 | View |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2008 | 3 | 3 | View |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2006 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | View |
| 2004 | 3 | 5 | View |
| 2003 | 3 | 9 | View |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2001 | 1 | 3 | View |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | View |