Forest River Cherokee Complaints

77 consumer complaints on file.

#11495070November 27, 2022
TIRES
We bought our travel trailer brand new and took it on a trip. After 8 days of traveling, the Castle Rock tire ST 205-75-R14 and D105/101L experienced a catastrophic blowout with our young children inside the tow vehicle. The tire immediately disintegrated, causing damage to our trailer but also creating road hazards for fellow travelers on the highway. We immediately pulled to the shoulder, but there was nothing left of the tire. I am a member of a Forest River owner’s group on Facebook, and there are literally dozens of other people who have also experienced catastrophic failures on Castle Rock tires, since they come stock from Forest River. They are unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11489719October 18, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electric fireplace in our RV caught on fire. A visible flame was seen behind the fireplace glass near the thermostat display on the right side of the fireplace. Visible smoke and burning smell observed from the upper right vents above the control panel buttons. The fireplace unit itself had an audible alarm, in addition to the RV smoke detectors that were triggered. We were inside the RV when this occurred, and once smoke and flame were observed, we immediately extinguished the fire by shutting off the master power breaker, and promptly removed the fireplace unit from the cabinet prior to any damage to the RV.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11488697October 10, 2022
WHEELS
Forest river is putting under rated tires on rv’s causing tires to blow out I purchased a rv and it came with tires only rated for 5,200 lbs. my trailer weighs 5400 empty and has a gross weight of 7500 lbs and I’ve heard of numerous blowouts of the tires
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483871September 11, 2022
TIRES
CASTLE ROCK RADIAL, ST 226 ST 225/75R15, LOAD RANGE E, DOT JULT 1MT 5019 75MPH 2021 WOLF PACK 23PACK15. TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 4,000 MILES. TIRES STILL HAVE 9/32 TREAD LEFT. LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF WHEN TRAVLING ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING OVER 4,000.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGES TO THE UNDER SIDE OF TRAILER AND SLIDEOUT. NO IMPACT TO TIRE OR DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IN THE ROAD. TRAILER HAS TPMS SENSORS THAT READ ON MY DASH TIRE PRESSURE AND TEMP. NO WARRING TIRE STILL HAD AIR BUT TREAD PEELED OFF FROM THE STEEL BELTS. THE OTHER TIRES HAVE BUMPS IN THE TREAD AND ARE NOT SAFE TO USE. CONTACTED MY DEALER AND THEY STATED TIRES ARE [XXX] TIRES. NOT A GOOD ANSWER. WAS TOLD TO CONTACT LIONSHEAD TIRE AND WHEEL. I MADE A NUMBER OF CALLS WITH NO RESPONCE ONLY OPTION WAS TO FILL WARRANTY FORM. CONTACTED FOREST RIVER AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO CONTACT TIRE MANUFACTURE. I DID GET A RESPONCE BACK FROM LIONSHEAD TIRE THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR ONE TIRE $105.00 NOTHING FOR THE OTHER TIRES, DAMAGES, LOSS OF USE OR DIMINISHED VALUE AS THE DAMAGES TO THE UNDERSIDE CAN NOT BE REPAIR TO PRELOSS CONDITION. WITH OVER 40 YEARS AUTOMOTIVE EXPERIENCE AND 30 YEARS RV EXPERIENCE THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS WITH NO RESOLUTION. ***** HOPE SOMEONE WILL LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. NOT TO SAY IT DID NOT ALREADY HAPPEN JUST NOT REPORTED. ***** INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482422September 1, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Cherokee travel trailer. The contact stated that the RV experienced an electrical system failure with the generator surging and was unable to hold a charge. The RV was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a blockage in the electric line. The dealer performed a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V243000 (Equipment) and repaired the RV. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The consumer stated that the RV continues to have electrical issues and remains at the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11482291August 31, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On the morning of August 1st, 2022 we were notified by a neighbor of some damage on our 2021 Artic Wolf 5th wheel. After inspection it appeared that a small fire had occurred earlier in the morning- unknown time and it apparently was contained to the one compartment without spreading. The previous evening the camper was fine. The fire was contained to a specific compartment which housed the water hook-up, cable hook-ups and the motion light. This was reported to our insurance who did an inspection and determined that most likely it was an electrical issue and started with the motion light. Upon discovery of the issue the trailer was unplugged and battery was disconnected. We had gone camping the weekend before the fire happened. Unable to be "recreated". The insurance adjuster inspected it on 8/10/22. No concerns or issues the weekend before. We have been having issues with the light randomly staying on/not turning on etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11481845August 29, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I received notification from NHTSA, recall: 22V556, Canada Recall:2022-368, FR ID 51-1532 regarding the above-described vehicle. Please note that I DO NOT AND NEVER HAVE PURCHASED OR OWN THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT KNOW WHO OWNS IT AND WHERE TO SEND THE THREATENEING LETTER SENT TO ME BY NHTSA. OK!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11479780August 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Grey Wolf 19SM travel trailer. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the brake safety switch inadvertently activated and a burning odor was detected. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the brakes were extremely hot and had melted the brake wiring. The RV was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11470948June 25, 2022
SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
No current incidents that I'm aware of. Landing gear on the 5th wheel isn't designed for this heavy trailer. There is a potential for someone to be seriously hurt, or killed if they have to resort to using bottle Jack's to lift trailer. Also the suspension is very weak, and i believe could break, and cause a major accident...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469657June 16, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that all three slides of the RV extended independently. While attempting to return the slide into place, the contact was unable to retract the slide. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure prevented him from having the RV taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V243000 (Equipment). The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would send a mechanic to his location to repair the failure. However, the dealer failed to provide further assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11469613June 16, 2022
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Freedom Express. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V243000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but failed to return the call. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer contacted the dealer and provided the dealer with instructions on how to order the parts for recall repair; however, the dealer had not called back. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11468741June 11, 2022
TIRES
Over a period of 2 months all four tires blew out while traveling with less than 3500 miles on them. None of the tires blew out due to running over anything, each tire blew while traveling on interstate highways. Tires are ST225/75R15 Load Range E Castle Rock made by LionsHead Tire and Wheel, all 4 had DOT of JULT. Tire pressure was maintained at 70 psi and driving speed was 60 mph with ambient temperatures ranging from 75 to 95 degrees. Tires came with 5th wheel camper by Forrest River when purchased new in 2021. Tires have been replaced and disposed of but pictures are attached.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11467060June 1, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
We have had our travel trailer for about 1 year and have had it in for service to the bedroom door as we noted it was sticking. This weekend the bedroom door failed. The frame of the door itself came away from the door making it difficult to open. At the same time the other entry door was stuck shut. My wife was unable to open the door. I was able to open it with great difficulty. The door side of the trailer was in direct afternoon sunlight it it appeared to have swollen and jammed itself in the doorway. It did not resolve itself until the outside temperature dropped and we ran the air-conditioning inside the trailer. If my wife would have been inside alone and would have needed to escape the trailer should would not have been able to. In researching forums and forest river related Facebook groups this appears to be a common issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11464671May 14, 2022
WHEELS
My wife and I bought a 2022 Forest River Cherokee Wolfpack 325 for $70K in MARCH about 5 hours from our home. Not even 3 hours later, driving home down the interstate the left rear tire, hub, and everything came flying off down the interstate. FOREST RIVER RVs ARE UNSAFE! Luckily the tire did not hit anyone. We called the dealership we bought it from and they said to have it towed back to them to be fixed or we could take it to another Forest River vendor to be replaced under warranty. We decided to drive it about 60 miles on 3 tires to a Camping World for repairs. 3 days later Camping World had an opening for the RV to be inspected. The technician said one of the tires did not have a cotter pin installed and that more than likely the tire that came off did not have one either. The technician said we were extremely lucky the other tire did not fall off.This is unacceptable. Forest River needs to inspect their RV's more carefully before saling them to vendors. We could have crashed, the tire could have hit another car, or worse someone may have even died. The CEO of the vendor we purchased from personally called us not even an hour after the incident to make sure we were ok and gave us his personal number if we needed anything. He also said to call him when we made it safely to our destination to make sure we got home ok. Forest River never reached out to make sure we were ok, to apologize, or to even understand how the tire came off from our point of view. After several weeks of not hearing an update, I called Camping World and they said Forest River had them rewrite the warranty 3 times. After reaching out to Forest River for another week, I finally had a 3 way call with Forest River and Camping World to get the Warranty squared away. AFTER 5 WEEKS!!!! and multiple calls to Camping World and Forest River, Forest River finally approved the warranty and Camping World ordered the parts. ONLY 2 PARTS ARRIVED at Camping World. Camping World said they did not know where
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11462076April 25, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
I bought a Forest River Gray Wolf 26DBHBL on April 4th 2022 from Camping World in Anthony, TX. Both of the back right brakes locked up on us 100 miles from home on only our second camping trip with the camper. When we took off and opened the brake drum, the brakes were broken apart. Springs were off and adjusting bolts were bent and stripped, among other parts that were broken off. There was almost no oil inside the drum cap. We checked the left side and the brakes were very loose. None of the brakes were ever adjusted. This could have caused a very bad accident at a high rate of speed as the brakes could have locked on us then. I bought a new camper thinking it was safe and worry free so that we could travel with my one year old. The camper is now back at the dealer we bought it from. There was no warning other than a loud noise coming from the brakes. The camper had to be towed without brakes to the dealer.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459794April 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently purchased a 2022 Forest River Cherokee Greywolf. After numerous individuals warned us on a social media group that the undercarriage bolts that mount the RV box to the frame of the trailer are loose. I checked and noticed that every single bolt was loose. Had I not tightened the bolts down and had I not known them the RV box could have come loose or worse, fallen off the frame of the trailer, causing injury or death to motorists
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459767April 5, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Mounting nuts from body to frame are loose after only 2 years of use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11459478April 4, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
On my camper, there are bolts from the body through the frame to hold the two together. While inspecting my camper nearly all the bolts could be unscrewed by hand, with a few having a noticeable gap where they had backed away. There were only 3 bolts on the entire camper that were tight. If these bolts had continued to loosen it is possible the body could separate from the frame while driving. I contacted the manufacturer over this issue and was told to inspect those bolts each time. Nowhere in the owners manual could I find where this is a requirement.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11456461March 13, 2022
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Towing the trailer at approximately 50 mph I seen in the rear view mirror the tread of 1 tire. The front drivers side come off of the tire and fly off and damage the wheel well and rip out the electrical going to the trailers pop out. The tire delaminated only loosing the tread the tire was still holding air pressure not leaking at all. I have contacted my insurance company they have not viewed in person. No police report was made. I have replaced all 4 tires for the safety of my family and still have damaged tire in my garage for proof of incident
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11451885February 14, 2022
POWER TRAIN
I purchased a 2021 Cherokee Grey Wolf travel trailer in May of 2021. After pulling only twice I noticed that the unit side trekked when in tow towards the passenger side shifting the rear of the trailer approximately 6-8 inches toward the passenger side compared to the trailer's front body lines. I scheduled service for the unit at my locale Forest River Repair Shop where they identified that the 1 of the 2 axles were bent. This defect caused this unit to sway very dramatically at times when traveling down the road. It also increased the blind spot on the passenger side and increased tire wear due to the fact that the wheels were not in line with one another which could have resulted in premature tire failure if not noticed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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