2021 Forest River FR3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 5 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
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 | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 2; Service Brakes: 1; Steering: 1; Structure:Interior Panels:Dashboard: 1; Suspension: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 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 | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 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: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2021: 2; 2023: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11438904 · 2021-11-01 (November 1, 2021)
Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 Chassis with the V8 engine. Our unit was recalled for potentially insufficient axle lubricant. After Ford replaced the bearings, our anti-skid, ABS, and cruise-control stopped working with indicators showing that on the dash. The Ford dealer believes the problem is with the tone ring. It has been several months and the Ford dealer is unable to obtain a tone-ring. Meanwhile, the RV continues not to have these important safety features.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438906 · 2021-11-01 (November 1, 2021)
Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 V8 chassis. When bringing the RV in for other service, the Ford dealer noticed that one of the bolts was missing from the rear sway bar. Further inspection showed that the coupling used to attach the sway bar was seriously deformed. This had a negative impact on the steering/handling of the RV in windy weather and when being passed by semis, RVs, and local delivery box trucks. We had to wait about a month for the parts to come in and be installed. A quick google will show this …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11553249 · 2023-11-02 (November 2, 2023)
Due to faulty welding of the supports for the onboard propane tank, the tank fell out the bottom of the rig on I-70 outside Kansas City on June 6 2023. The tank bounced around, knocking out one one of the drive shafts before bursting into flames. There was no warning before this happened as there are no sensors for that. With the rig being a total loss, there is no way to reproduce the problem. My insurance company hired a fire investigator, but findings were inconclusive due to the extent of the fire damage. I have since found others that have…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11553249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11576757 · 2024-03-12 (March 12, 2024)
LP brackets are cracked at the welding
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11576757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11618460 · 2024-10-07 (October 7, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River FR3 built on a 2020 Ford F-53 Chassis. The contact stated while driving and exceeding 45 MPH, the contact noticed that the dashboard was bouncing. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the bottom of the dashboard fractured and separated along with the parts attached to the dashboard. The RV was taken to the dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure, but t…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11618460 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V361000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2020-06-19 (June 19, 2020)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 FR3 recreational vehicles built on a Ford chassis with a V8 engine. The wiring harness may have an incorrect wire connected to the parking brake, allowing the leveling jacks to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is in motion.
Consequence: If the leveling jacks deploy while the vehicle is in motion, it can cause loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will correct the wiring harness, free of charge. This recall began June 26, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1178.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V262000 · Equipment
Reported: 2023-04-13 (April 13, 2023)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Forester 2401BSD, FR3 F3A32DSF, Georgetown GTA36K7, 2022-2023 East to West Entrada, 2023 East to West Alta, Coachmen Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral and Chaparral Lite, Forest River Crusader, Sanibel, Shasta Phoenix, Coachmen Spirit, and East to West Tandara vehicles. The solar panel mounting hardware may become loose and pull through the slot in the panel.
Consequence: Loose hardware can cause the solar panels to detach from the vehicle during transit, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install additional hardware to the existing panel and install a secondary holding bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2023. Owners may contact East to West Alta, Entrada and Tandara customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Coachmen Apex and Spirit customer service at 1-574-825-8205; Coachmen Brookstone, Chaparral, Chaparral Lite, and Shasta Phoenix customer service at 1-574-825-7101; Crusader and Sanibel customer service at 1-574-862-1025; and Georgetown Forester and FR3 customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1607.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V103000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2024-02-12 (February 12, 2024)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Georgetown and FR3 Class A motorhomes. The liquid petroleum gas (LPG) tank mounting brackets may break, which can result in the LPG tank becoming dislodged and damaged.
Consequence: A damaged LPG tank increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brackets and welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 11, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1736.
NHTSA campaign record ↗