2011 Forest River BERKSHIRE: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE DIESEL RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE WINDOWS HAD SCREENS BUT DID NOT HAVE LOCKS FOR THE SCREENS. A YOUNGER PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO PUSH ON THE SCREEN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH AND ALMOST FELL FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A TELEPHONE NUMBER FOR THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,100.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394133 at NHTSA ↗

ON MAY 13, 2012, THE OUTSIDE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT OUR LOCATION WAS 82 DEG F. WE HAD BOTH AIR CONDITIONER UNITS SET ON 71 INSIDE THE COACH. WE WERE ALSO WASHING A LOAD OF LAUNDRY. THE COACH WAS CONNECTED TO SHORE POWER WITH THE MANUFACTURER-SUPPLIED CORD. THE WASHING MACHINE STOPPED MID-OPERATION AND A BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL WAS OBSERVED INSIDE THE COACH. UPON INSPECTION, NO BREAKERS OR FUSES WERE TRIPPED OR BURNED. AFTER CHECKING ALL ELECTRICAL OUTLETS IN THE COACH, WE DETERMINED THAT THE MICROWAVE AND REAR AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WERE BOTH NOT O…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,302 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458296 at NHTSA ↗

IOTA TRANSFER SWITCH ITS-50R OVERHEATED AND NEARLY CAUGHT FIRE, SEEMS TO HAVE DAMAGED THE REFRIGERATOR(IT NO LONGER WORKS AND OVERHEATED) AT LEAST ONE OF MY ROOF AIR CONDITIONER UNITS, POSSIBLY BOTH. THIS UNIT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED BY NAVISTAR WHO INSTALLED IT ON HOLIDAY RAMBLER UNITS AND AT LEAST ONE OTHER COACH, NHTSA #12V060000. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL FOREST RIVER HAS NOT RECALLED THE UNITS(USING YOUR WEB SITE) I EXPLAINED THIS TO MY DEALER AND HE SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT WHEN THEY GET AN OPENING, WHICH IS AUG. 6TH. THIS A SAFETY ISSUE…

Owner-reported narrative. 9,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 10465791 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2011-11-03 (November 3, 2011)

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 BERKSHIRE MODELS 360FWS, 390BH, 390RB AND 390QS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000.

Reported: 2013-01-07 (January 7, 2013)

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Berkshire and Charleston diesel motorhomes. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use.

Consequence: Failure of the cruise control to disengage when the brakes are applied may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Without the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are applied, the driver's intent is not communicated, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Daimler Truck North America (DTNA) is performing this recall on behalf of Forest River. DTNA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall began in January 2013. Owners should contact Daimler Trucks Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours.

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.