What Forest River Palomino owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Forest River Palomino safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Forest River Palomino complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
We recently purchased the Palomino from State 48 RV dealer in Mesa Az. We travel for the summer. On our 4th campground, our watchdog surge power unit showed an improper wiring at the pedestal. Campground electrician checked the pedestal and determined it was wired correctly and the problem was with the trailer. We hired an RV TECH and he found the main power supply pinched between the frame and the trailer that sits on the frame. Causing wires to become bare and the wires began to burn. The RV TECH replaced the power supply and routed the wires correctly. Cost was 1100.
I purchased my 2025 Palomino Columbus RV in February of 2025. I have towed it less than 600 miles, so including the delivery from the factory the RV has less than 2,000 miles. While inspecting the RV I noticed that the wheel spacing between the front and rear tires was different from side to side. The passenger (right) side was 5" but the driver's (left) side was 8.5". I inspected the suspension and found that the left side rear axle had slipped back on the leaf spring. The leaf spring centering pin had sheared allowing the axle to move back. The u-bolt hardware was tight. I did notify the RV and axle manufacturers. The RV manufacturer, Forest River, told me to contact the axle manufacturer,…
The pressure coupler that connects the propane line to the pilot light of the refrigerator was not torqued and was not affixed to keep in place and was fingers strength loose letting propane gas leak. Our camper trailer caught fire after parking , the smoke alarms did not go off, we were in the forest , luckily we acted quickly and used the extinguisher to stop the fire from spreading. At the time there was no one in the trailer but could have been different. We are luckily that the fire occurred when all of us were not in the trailer or sleeping. We have called insurance and plan to call the company as well . There is no reason for our lives to have been put at risk.
FOREST RIVER PALOMINI. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO LEAF SPRING FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEAF SPRING ON THE SINGLE AXLE TRAILER BROKE IN TWO PIECES, CAUSING THE COACH OF THE TRAILER TO FALL INTO THE WHEEL/AXLE.
This is a Forest River, Palomino Solaire Travel Trailer model# 205SS. It is a dual-axle unit. While winterizing the unit and filling the tires, I observed that the frame has a large crack in on the right-hand side (passenger side) of the unit. The crack is "L" shaped and is about 5" (125 mm) total length. More specifically it is located where the rearmost axle bracket is attached. I believe this is a safety issue that needs immediate attention. The unit has a Lippert brand frame.
When filling the fresh water tank for the first time, the forward frame bracket pivoted and the tank fell to the ground. The tank broke where the fill and vent tube attach. There are no secondary retention straps. If this had happened on the highway, the tank likely would have caused severe injury or death to other vehicles following behind the trailer. Upon inspection, it appears the forward frame bracket is only held by two in-line fasteners with provisions for two other anti-rotation fasteners. These anti-rotation fasteners were not installed. Also, this design does not use retention straps as a secondary retention system.
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Palomino. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the travel trailer, it was discovered that line seams and cracks were present in the floor of the coach of the vehicle. Additionally, appliances had moved slightly out of position inside the unit. The trailer was taken to the local dealer who determined that the trailer needed a support bracket to support the sub-center of the vehicle. No further information was available. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25.
The contact owns a 2019 Forest River Palomino trailer equipped with LionsHead tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock, Tire Size: 225/75/R15, DOT Number: JULT1MT1916. The contact stated while driving at 62 MPH, the driverâs side front tire inadvertently exploded. The contact stated he was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to the tire being five years old. The tire was replaced. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the passengerâs side front tire exploded and damaged the plastic guard. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who did not provide a diagnostic; however, the passengerâs s…
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This is a product service bulletin from Global Link concerning counterfeit keys for entry doors being sold on certain websites. Forest River is reporting as we are sharing with the dealer body.
This is a LCI authored document in which clarifies the axles' bearing grease frequently asked questions. This document is not tied to a specific make, model or model year. This document covers any recreational trailer manufactured with an LCI axle(s). The owner/operator will know which brand axle(s) are installed by reviewing the axle tag located at the center of the axle beam.
As per Lippert Components Technical Service Bulletin 11-004-21. The slide room actuator was assembled incorrectly, which may cause the room to become stuck in the out position and prevent from fully retracting.
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).
The front roof membrane may not be adequately secured.
As Per Lippert Components, the bonding on certain 3300 series window vents may not be adequate.
The bypass valve is installed incorrectly, which will not allow water to be drawn from the fresh water tank.
As Per Lippert Components; Specific 8800 Series windows installed in your recreational vehicle may potentially leak. The windows will be remedied by a Forest River Dealer.
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 instances the furnace fails in a safe manner.?
On certain truck campers, the battery disconnect is wired to the battery and does not allow for 12V power to the vehicle.
On certain NAVI T16BH, there is not an access panel for the water pump under the refrigerator.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
In a Consent Order executed on July 8, 2015, Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) admitted that it violated the Safety Act by: failing to submit accurate early warning reports; not filing certain field communications or reports of Canadian safety campaigns; not providing copies of notices, bulletins, and other communications as required; failing to file certain quarterly recall reports in a timely manner or with complete information; sending notices to dealers without required information; failing
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2014–2025, owners most often name: suspension, tires, unknown or other. 17 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.