Every 2018 Forest River Salem recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Electrical System · NHTSA 25V682000
Oct 10, 2025Electrical System:Wiring
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 25V682000 →Trailer Hitches · NHTSA 20V563000
Sep 18, 2020Trailer Hitches
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 20V563000 →Equipment · NHTSA 18V232000
Dec 4, 2018Equipment:Other:Labels
- Problem
- 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 with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." These vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- Incorrect tire pressure information can cause the operator to under inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V232000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 18V550000
Aug 21, 2018Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
- Problem
- 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 the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
- Risk
- If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V550000 →Equipment · NHTSA 18V436000
Jun 27, 2018Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V436000 →Equipment · NHTSA 17V756000
Nov 22, 2017Equipment
- Problem
- 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 trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- 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.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.
Full recall details for 17V756000 →Equipment · NHTSA 17V790000
Aug 12, 2017Equipment:Other:Labels
- Problem
- 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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V790000 →Tires · NHTSA 17V282000
Apr 26, 2017Tires
- Problem
- 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 Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 17V282000 →Equipment · NHTSA 17V484000
Feb 8, 2017Equipment:Other:Labels
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- An incorrect weight on the label may affect how the operator loads the vehicle, impacting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 63-07312017-0485.
Full recall details for 17V484000 →
2018 Forest River Salem complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Forest River Salem, reporting 1 fires. Forest River has issued at least 6 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Electrical System2
- Structure2
- Fuel/Propulsion System1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (4)
- Structure (2)
- Electrical System (1)
Read Forest River Salem owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Forest River Salem. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2018 FOREST RIVER SALEMJun 30, 2018
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11104860
“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.”
2018 FOREST RIVER SALEMMar 7, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11399574
“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.”
2018 FOREST RIVER SALEMFeb 9, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11308054
“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.”
2018 FOREST RIVER SALEMMar 13, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11186540
“I RECEIVED A NEW FOREST RIVER RV, TRAVEL TRAILER WITH RUSTED GAS LINE PIPING AND FRAME”
2018 FOREST RIVER SALEMFeb 27, 2019
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11182734
Check your Salem by VIN
Not every 2018 Forest River Salem is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Forest River dealer.
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