2021 Forest River CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
1,385 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 49 complaints (32.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 10.2% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Suspension | 6 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | 1 |
Tires: 16; Structure:Body: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Suspension: 6; Tires:Tread/Belt: 4; Electrical System: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2020: 3; 2021: 11; 2022: 13; 2023: 7; 2024: 4; 2025: 8; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11422760 · 2021-06-29 (June 29, 2021)
Our travel trailer door on a 2021 forrest river fell off while driving and is stuck open. They have been trying to fix it for since April 17th but are now ghosting me after telling me it was a known issue with the new door system they are using. 2ndly there is metal shards and shavings under my sink in the fridge area and no one seems to know why there is busted metal all over some electrical components. Also the outdoor shower door and the side compartment door are falling off and will not stay closed during operation.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11425493 · 2021-07-19 (July 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150 used for hauling a 2021 Forest River Cherokee Wolf Pup travel trailer. The contact stated that while driving at 5 mph, the trailer disconnected warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and inspected underneath the travel trailer and found that the brake line was fractured and had detached. The contact reattached the brake line with electrical tape however, the failure recurred. The contact noticed upon inspection that there were two brake lines that had fractured and were detached. The dealer was…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11425493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11374518 · 2020-11-13 (November 13, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE BRAND: CASTLEROCK TIRES, TIRE LINE: ST226, TIRE SIZE: 225/75/R15, DOT # JULT1NT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE TRAILER STARTED TO SWERVE.THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR BUT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL THE TRAILER OFF THE ROAD , EASE UP ON THE BRAKES AND CAME TO A GRADUAL STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CHANGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 870 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11412752 · 2021-04-18 (April 18, 2021)
WHILE TAKING OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE COAST OF NC FROM RALEIGH, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASH SAYING TO CHECK TRAILER CONNECTIONS. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED, AND THE CONNECTOR WAS SEATED, AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO BE WORKING. WHEN WE GOT TO THE CAMPGROUND, I HAPPENED TO BE LOOKING UNDER THE CAMPER, AND FOUND THE WIRES THAT FEED THE ELECTRIC BRAKES WERE CUT. THEY WERE PINCHED BETWEEN THE U-BOLTS ON THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. I HAD A MOBILE RV TECH REPAIR IT SO I COULD SAFELY DRIVE IT HOME. IF IT HAPPENED ON A TRIP TO THE MOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11412752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11451885 · 2022-02-14 (February 14, 2022)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11451885 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429723 · 2021-08-19 (August 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Cherokee. The contact stated that he experienced several electrical failures with the trailer including a defective refrigerator. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the wiring within the circuit breaker panel was not properly secured. Upon further investigation, the contact discovered that the propane wiring was crimped and not properly secured, which he stated could lead to a severe failure. The contact was able to repair the wiring failures himself. The manufacturer was notified of the failure…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11429723 at NHTSA ↗