2021 Forest River CHEROKEE: complaints, problems and recalls

THE BRACKETS TO THE AWNING ON OUR 2021 CHEROKEE ALPHA WOLF TRAILER IS SCREWED IN TO THE WALL ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRAILER USING 1-INCH SCREWS. IT CAME OUT AND BENT THE BRACKET ATTACHED TO THE SIDE WALL OF THE TRAILER AFTER THE FIRST RAIN. HAVE ONLY OWNED IT 30 DAYS!! DEALER WILL NOT FIX IT, SAYS AWNING SHOULD NOT BE OPEN DURING A RAIN, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE NEVER HAD ISSUES WITH ANY OTHER CAMPER AWNING WE HAVE EVER OWNED. OTHER TRAILERS IN THE CAMPGROUND HAD NO ISSUES WITH THEIR AWNING.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11338609 at NHTSA ↗

THE ALUMINUM WHEELS BEING USED ON THE FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE BUILT TRAVEL TRAILERS ARE DEFECTIVE. THE WHEELS HAVE PIN HOLES WHICH ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE AND CAN CAUSE AN OUT OF CONTROL CONDITION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. AIR SLOWLY LEAKS OUT OF THE TIRES WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE WHEELS HAVE A CASTING OF DOT-T MADE IN CHINA BY SR WHEELS.

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340895 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE BRAND: CASTLEROCK TIRES, TIRE LINE: ST226, TIRE SIZE: 225/75/R15, DOT # JULT1NT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH. THE CONTACT TRIED TO SLOW DOWN BY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE TRAILER STARTED TO SWERVE.THE CONTACT SAW WHITE SMOKE IN HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR BUT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO PULL THE TRAILER OFF THE ROAD , EASE UP ON THE BRAKES AND CAME TO A GRADUAL STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CHANGE…

Owner-reported narrative. 870 miles reported. Look up ODI 11374518 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY CHAINS WERE WELDED INCORRECTLY ON THE HOOKUP AREA OF RV. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE LOCAL DEALER AC NELSEN RV WORLD - OMAHA (11818 L ST, OMAHA, NE 68137, [phone removed]) AND WAS INFORMED TO TOW THE RV IN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT CONSUMER STATED SAFETY CHAINS FELL OFF IN FRONT OF THE CAMPER.*JB*DT*JB*DT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11399751 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE TAKING OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE COAST OF NC FROM RALEIGH, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, AND GOT A MESSAGE ON MY DASH SAYING TO CHECK TRAILER CONNECTIONS. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED, AND THE CONNECTOR WAS SEATED, AND EVERYTHING SEEM TO BE WORKING. WHEN WE GOT TO THE CAMPGROUND, I HAPPENED TO BE LOOKING UNDER THE CAMPER, AND FOUND THE WIRES THAT FEED THE ELECTRIC BRAKES WERE CUT. THEY WERE PINCHED BETWEEN THE U-BOLTS ON THE AXLE AND THE FRAME. I HAD A MOBILE RV TECH REPAIR IT SO I COULD SAFELY DRIVE IT HOME. IF IT HAPPENED ON A TRIP TO THE MOUN…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11412752 at NHTSA ↗

TRAILER WAS BUILT WITH THE DRY WEIGHT OF 3,527 POUNDS. FACTORY INSTALLED AN AXLE AND SUSPENSION THAT IS RATED AT 3,500 POUNDS. I'M CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL BE UNSAFE TO OPERATE ON THE ROADWAY AS THE COMPONENTS WEAR. CURRENTLY THE LEAF SPRINGS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY FLAT WITHOUT ANY EXTRA LOAD IN THE TRAILER.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11416131 at NHTSA ↗

The Kingpin ripped away from the pinbox on our 5th wheel. We were told by some that it appears to be inferior material and/or poor weld. Our truck almost flipped down the hill where our rv landed. Others could have been injured or killed had the RV gone a different direction. I have contacted the RV manufacturer and currently awaiting a response. No warnings. Police and tow drivers said they have never seen this in over 50 years of service. Photos available.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419386 at NHTSA ↗

Our travel trailer door on a 2021 forrest river fell off while driving and is stuck open. They have been trying to fix it for since April 17th but are now ghosting me after telling me it was a known issue with the new door system they are using. 2ndly there is metal shards and shavings under my sink in the fridge area and no one seems to know why there is busted metal all over some electrical components. Also the outdoor shower door and the side compartment door are falling off and will not stay closed during operation.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422760 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2020-10-26 (October 26, 2020)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Cherokee recreational trailers. The shore cord inlet wiring insulation may not have been sufficiently stripped back, causing a poor connection with the set screw.

Consequence: A poor electrical connection can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the inlet, and rewire or replace the inlet completely if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17D-1201.

Reported: 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cherokee ACKT29TEBL travel trailers. The tire size and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the Federal Placard are incorrect, which could result in the vehicle being overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims" and 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: An overloaded vehicle can lead to a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will mail owners a new Federal Placard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest Rivers number for this recall is 17A-1439.

Reported: 2022-04-13 (April 13, 2022)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.

Consequence: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.