What Forest River Salem owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Forest River Salem 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| 2020 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2016 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Forest River Salem complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
Front section of frame or A frame broke/ bent in front of main frame rails while driving! I was only going 25 mph, but on the interstate this could have killed us and others. There are many other reports of this online, the camper was not overloaded rusty or damaged. The rv .manufacturer and frame manufacturer continue to blame each other while nobody will take responsibility and and there seems to be ZERO oversight! These frames MUST be built not just to support the camper, but also the abuse the frame takes from rough roads! You dont see semis and automobiles breaking in half! Please get involved and set some standards for the RV travel trailer industry. 1/8" steel isn't enough the frame m…
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem RV. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the power cord connecting the RV to the shore power outlet only powered a selected number of items, including the microwave. The contact stated that the battery system was unable to maintain power to the refrigerator or the freezer. Additionally, while attempting to disconnect or turn off the battery power to the refrigerator, the television shut off, despite being on a separate circuit. Upon further inspection, the contact discovered that the labels and markings on the fuse box were incorrect. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repai…
Fireplace within entertainment center/slide began to work only on low. Cleaned unit, had to pull access panel to access electrical outlet that fireplace was plugged into. Found a browned outlet face. Turned off circuit, pulled outlet and found a charred electrical line and back of outlet. This was probably moments from being a fire. Attempted to contact Forest River - Salem Cruise Lite division but never received any communication back.
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturerâs owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSAâs system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of ser…
Purchased this camper as brand new from camping world in November of 2025, after towing the camper home with my family in the vehicle, I proceeded to go through it about a week later to prepare it for winter. Upon going under the trailer I found two bolts that secure the leaf springs to the frame to be loose. One of them (front bolt of front driver side leaf spring ) was 3/4 of the way out, the other the nut was on by just 1 thread and the bolt was also backing out. This could have caused a serious accident or death as the vehicle could have rolled over or collided with another vehicle while turning. I proceeded to contact the dealership, they told me to contact Forrest river directly. I hav…
The contact owns a 2024 Forest River Salem Towable. The contact stated that after purchasing the trailer, the contact noticed signs of water leaks and damaged gaskets on the window seals. The contact also stated that the slide-out panels were not operating properly. The contact had taken the RV back to the dealer where it was purchased. The contact was not sure if the dealer had replaced any of the window seals or gaskets. The slide-out panel was still not operating properly. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200.
The contact owns a 2024 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that when the trailer was set up at an RV park, one of the leveler jacks failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that later, water had leaked from the shower and soaked the flooring in the trailer. Additionally, the contact stated that the electrical system had failed, and there was only electricity for half of the trailer. The contact stated that later, the awning separated from the side of the trailer. The contact stated that the RV was returned to the dealer where it was purchased. The dealer repaired the RV. However, the contact stated that the awning was improperly repaired, and that the electrical system …
The slide out mechanism is not strong enough to pull the slide out into the trailer itself for transport. This must be manually done, underneath the trailer, with a crescent wrench, even after extensive troubleshooting. The slide out does not operate independently, even when all cargo is removed.
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.
In certain circumstances, the Alpha Roof Sealant may not adhere to the Impact Guard Roof material.
Drain vent repair if it has reverse slope.
General Field Fix for the Nuisance Light Fluttering issue.
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.
Generic front wall print for dealer reference.
Holding Tank Monitoring System trouble shooting guide for dealers to use for certain tank level sensors and monitors.
General instructions on how to winterize an OEM installed misting system.
Reference document in the event a dealer needs to inspect an "in wall slide mechanism".
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.
General document/guide on how to square a cabinet door opening in a recreational vehicle.
This is a generic document used as an aid to help dealers diagnose the slide height adjustment.
The ice maker water line may not have the inner brass sleeve for the compression fitting, which could cause a leak.
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 2010–2027, owners most often name: structure, equipment, electrical system. 81 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.