2013 Coachmen FREEDOM EXPRESS: complaints, problems and recalls

GREASE DETECTED ON BRAKE LININGS: FURTHER DETAILS IN ODI FILES. UPDATED 03/07/14*LJ UPDATED 03/18/2014 *JS UPDATED 06/10/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. UPDATED 06/16/2014 *JS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10567375 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS. THE BED INSIDE THE TRAILER CAME DOWN AND CRUSHED THE CONTACT'S MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE TRAILER WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10684058 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 (NA) COACHMEN FREEDOM EXPRESS RV EQUIPPED WITH TRAIL EXPRESS POWER TOWING TIRES ST (NA), SIZE 225/75R15D (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE THREAD SEPARATED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP AND BOTH TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10861216 at NHTSA ↗

TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS BEING PULLED ON THE HIGHWAY. TIRES HAD BEEN MAINTAINED AND CHECKED PRIOR TO TRIP. 65 MPH TRAVEL SPEED WAS NOT EXCEEDED. TRAILER WAS NOT OVER LOADED.

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993263 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 COACHMAN FREEDOM EXPRESS EQUIPPED WITH A KIDDE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, MODEL NUMBER: FA110G. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V756000 (EQUIPMENT). THE KIDDE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT [phone removed] APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS AGO AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REPLACEMENT FIRE EXTINGUISHER WOULD BE SENT TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. THE CONTACT FELT THAT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME HAD PASSED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE CONTACT H…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11128453 at NHTSA ↗

WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH DURHAM,NC ON APRIL 5TH,2019.IT WAS DETERMINED BY APPRAISER FROM AMICA INSURANCE CO. THAT THE FRAMES WERE SPLIT JUST ABOVE THE SUPPORT SHACKELS HOLDING THE SUSPENSION.THERE WAS NO INTERACTION WITH PROPERTY OR OTHER VEHICLES. NO POLICE INVOLVMENT OTHER THAN TRAFIC SAFETY BY THE DURHAM CITY POLICE. *DT*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11202656 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-05-17 (May 17, 2013)

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Consequence: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Reported: 2017-10-02 (October 2, 2017)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers. The frames on these vehicles may not have had reinforcement stiffeners welded onto the exterior I-Beam in the axle area, allowing the axles to be misaligned.

Consequence: Misaligned axles can affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and the frame manufacturer will inspect the trailer for frame reinforcements, installing them as necessary and secure the axle mountings, free of charge. The recall began on October 24, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8205, or Lippert Components customer service at 1-574-537-8900. Forest River's number for this recall is 220-0529.

Reported: 2017-11-22 (November 22, 2017)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.