2020 Forest River SALEM problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
3,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 12 complaints (41.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 16.7% |
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 | 5 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Materials:Insulation | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
Tires: 5; Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Propulsion System:Dc/Dc Converter: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Materials:Insulation: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 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 (3). 9 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 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2020: 3; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 11639134 · 2025-01-28 (January 28, 2025)
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet, flames appeared j…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639134 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11639140 · 2025-01-28 (January 28, 2025)
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet, flames appeared j…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639140 at NHTSA ↗