Forest River FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
34 owner complaints analyzed
24 distinct recall campaigns
17,463 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 34 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 14.7% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 2 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 2 |
Electrical System: 8; Tires: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Structure: 3; Engine: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 2; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 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 (13). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 6; 2019: 3; 2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10556520 · 2013-12-18 (December 18, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER FORESTER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE TWO HIGH AMPERAGE STORAGE BATTERIES WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES FROM THE FUEL CONTAINER (PROPANE). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE IMPACT COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION IF THE HIGH AMPERAGE TERMINAL MADE CONTACT WITH THE FUEL CONTAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT AND BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK, AN EXPLOSIVE TYPE OF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10556520 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343878 · 2020-08-07 (August 7, 2020)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. FUSE 46 IN THE BATTERY JUNCTION BOX WAS BLOWN. CAUSE WAS DURING COACH BUILD AND FRAME EXTENSION, WIRE IN TAPE OUT TO CANISTER VENT SOLENOID CONNECTION CHAFED AGAINST THE EDGE OF THE FRAME RAIL WEARING THROUGH INSULATION CAUSING SHORT TO GROUND AND OPEN FUSE. THIS FUSE CONTROLS COMMUNICATIONS TO THE PCM SO THE SHORT CAUSE THE ENGINE TO COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. THE DAY PRIOR WE WERE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,926 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11100543 · 2018-06-08 (June 8, 2018)
LOST ALL TAIL LIGHTS 4 HAS BEEN FIX OR AND RECALL DONE 2 TIMES. NOW RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT DOES NOT WORK FOR TURN OR BRAKE AND IT BEEN IN A SHOP FOR A MONTH NO ONE KNOWS WHY
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11100543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11196973 · 2019-04-17 (April 17, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RV PRESENTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS MOTORCARS (4141 N FLORIDA AVE, LAKELAND, FL 33805) WHERE THEY CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID AND BLED THE BRAKE LINES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11196973 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11756076 · 2026-08-10 (August 10, 2026)
I purchased and paid for two NEW front tires for my RV from Mac’s Tire & Complete Auto in Tucson, Arizona. After the tires were installed, I drove the RV approximately 2,000 miles. During this trip, the front tires began deteriorating and coming apart on the inside. Because the damage was on the inner side of the tires, it was difficult to see during normal visual inspection. I stopped at a Firestone location in Casa Grande, Arizona, where the tires were inspected. I was informed that the two front tires that had been installed and sold to me…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11756076 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 4; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1998 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2001 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2004 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 2011 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 | 4 | +3 |
| 2014 | 3 | 3 | -1 |
| 2015 | 6 | 1 | -2 |
| 2016 | 7 | 3 | +2 |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | -1 |
| 2018 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| 2019 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 2020 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 2021 | 2 | 5 | +2 |
| 2022 | 2 | 3 | -2 |
| 2023 | 1 | 4 | +1 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | -2 |
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | -1 |