Forest River WILDCAT problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
18 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 54 complaints (24.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 7.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Tires | 13 |
| Suspension | 9 |
| Wheels | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
Tires: 13; Suspension: 9; Wheels: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Structure: 5; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 19 |
| 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: 19; 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 (19). 35 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2008: 7; 2009: 6; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2012: 3; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 11442125 · 2021-11-30 (November 30, 2021)
Two component issues on 2010 Forest River 31THSB 1 - Lippert axle hub brake drum failure. Multiple failures of these axles and Lippert have not issued a recall. My trailer lost the wheel from the axle, with the brake drum still attached to the wheel. Fortunately, we were not traveling at highway speed. Tire rolled underneath the trail causing damage to the side and underside of trailer. Lippert are aware of these constant axle failures and their solution is to sell you two axles for the price of one. 3-to-4-week delivery! Does not include the p…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11442125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550967 · 2013-11-05 (November 5, 2013)
AFTER FIRST PULL WITH 5TH WHEEL THE BRAKES ON THE COACH WOULD NOT STOP EVEN SET TO MAX GAIN AND MANUAL CONTROL, TOOK TO BACK TO DEALER TO HAVE ISSUE LOOKED INTO. THEY SAID NOTHING WRONG. TOOK BACK HOME AND ADJUSTED THE PADS TO HARD DRAG, (I AM A PROFESSIONAL MECHANIC) STILL BRAKES DO NOT STOP COACH. TOOK COACH BACK TO DEALER AFTER CAMPING SEASON TO HAVE THEM LOOK INTO BRAKE ISSUE, THEY SAID NO ISSUE, TALKED TO FACTORY REP THEY SAID NO ISSUE, THE FACTORY TALKED TO MANUF OF AXLES THEY SAID NO ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEED T…
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015118 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
RE: 2017 WILDCAT MAXX MODEL T32BHXS PURCHASE DATE: MAY 22, 2017 DEAR MR. MAGNACCA: I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU MY RECENT PURCHASE OF THE ABOVE CITED TRAVEL TRAILER WHICH HAS SERIOUS MANUFACTURE DEFECTS AND POSES A RISK OF HEALTH AND SAFETY TO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. PART OF THE DEFECTS FIRST PRESENTED ON OUR FIRST CAMPING TRIP IN LATE MAY WHEN THE SLIDERS WOULD NOT FUNCTION. WE RETURNED THE COACH TO SPRAD'S RV AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN 'ELECTRICAL' ISSUE AND WAS REPAIRED. ON JULY 30, 2017, WE FO…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11015118 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 |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2024: 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 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| 2004 | 10 | 2 | -1 |
| 2005 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2007 | 10 | 1 | -1 |
| 2008 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 2012 | 3 | 1 | -1 |
| 2013 | 1 | 2 | +1 |
| 2014 | 1 | 4 | +2 |
| 2015 | 4 | 3 | -1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 2021 | 0 | 4 | Not available |
| 2022 | 0 | 3 | -1 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 | Not available |