Forest River SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
7,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2027 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 10.3% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 4 |
| Structure | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Tires | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Equipment | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 5; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 4; Structure: 4; Structure:Body: 4; Tires: 4; Electrical System: 3; Equipment: 2; Suspension: 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 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 4; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 11114790 · 2018-07-31 (July 31, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SIERRA FIFTH WHEEL. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SLEEPING IN THE CAMPER, SMOKE WAS DETECTED IN THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE NEAR THE WIRING, COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE BATTERY TO THE POWER CONVERTER. IN ADDITION, THE SMOKE ALARM FAILED TO ALERT THE OCCUPANTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISCONNECT THE POWER FROM THE CONVERTER. THE CABINET WAS AFFECTED BY THE INTERNAL FIRE AND THE CONTENTS INSIDE WERE DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, THE HYDRAULIC LINES FOR THE SLIDE OUT JACK AND THE LEVELING SYSTEM …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11114790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11175816 · 2019-02-09 (February 9, 2019)
WIRE ENTERING TUBE FROM BATTERY COMPARTMENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RV HAS A SHARP EDGE AND CAUSED A SHORT FROM VIBRATING. I WAS IN MOTION WHEN I SAW SMOKE IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. I STOPPED AND AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY.THE COMPANY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I REPLACED THE WIRES MYSELF AND ADDED A RUBBER TUBE AT THE SHERP EDGE OF THE THE STEEL TUBE WHICH ENCASES THE WIRES. *DT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11175816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427488 · 2021-08-02 (August 2, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Sierra fifth wheel trailer. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the trailer brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the "trailer wiring fault" message was displayed. The vehicle was diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10778193 · 2015-09-28 (September 28, 2015)
WHEN PARKING OUR TRAILER AFTER A TRIP THIS SUMMER I NOTICED THAT THREE OUT OF THE FOUR POINTS WHERE THE FUEL TANK FOR THE FUELING STATION HAVE BROKEN. THE FUEL TANK REMAINED IN PLACE LUCKILY MOST LIKELY AS IT CONTAINED VERY LITTLE FUEL, BUT AT THIS TIME THE TRAILER CAN'T BE MOVED UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION IT WAS REVEALED THAT AT LEAST ONE OTHER WELD HAS COME UNDONE ON A BRACKET THAT HOLDS A WATER TANK. LUCKY THIS TRIP WAS OVER A LOW SPEED ROAD WITHOUT BUMPS AND TRAFFIC AS I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT FULL…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10778193 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2027 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 2; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2027: 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 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 3 | +2 |
| 2004 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2005 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2008 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 2011 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | +1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| 2015 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 2 | -1 |
| 2017 | 3 | 1 | -1 |
| 2018 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 2021 | 3 | 1 | Not available |
| 2022 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2024 | 0 | 2 | Not available |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | Not available |