2011 Forest River SALEM: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 1; Suspension: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 (2). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10435453 · 2011-11-14 (November 14, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED HER THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE MELTED DUE TO A BEARING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435453 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447180 · 2012-02-08 (February 8, 2012)
THE MAIN FRAME OF THE TRAILER HAS FAILED DOE TO A GROSS ERROR OF THE MECHANICAL DESIGN IN MAKING THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER TOO THIN TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER. ADDITIONALLY, THE REQUIREMENT TO USE A LOAD LEVELER BY THE DEALER AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER INCREASES THIS LOAD TO THE POINT THAT THE CALCULATED SAFETY MARGIN OF THE CROSSMEMBER THAT SUPPORTS THE TONGUE IS 1:1. THE CROSSMEMBER MATERIAL IS STANDARD A36 STEEL WITH A NOMINAL THICKNESS OF .1 INCHES AND IS BENT IN THE SHAPE OF A C CHANNEL, WELDED TO THE FRONT OF A 10 INCH I-B…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447180 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.
10V281000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Water Heater
Reported: 2010-06-24 (June 24, 2010)
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SALEM AND WILDWOOD TRAVEL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2009 THROUGH JUNE 11, 2010. THE TEMPERATURE CONTROL MECHANISM OF THE WATER HEATER MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION IN THE UNIT. AS A RESULT, THE BURNER MAY FLAME UP OUT OF CONTROL WHEN LIT.
Consequence: THE EXCESS FLAME OUTSIDE OF THE BURNER CHAMBER CAN RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE RV TRAILER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE THE WATER HEATER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 574-534-6913.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V017000 · Suspension:Front:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly
Reported: 2011-01-14 (January 14, 2011)
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SALEM TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 25, 2009, THROUGH JANUARY 13, 2011. THE BOTTOM LEAF ON THE LEAF SPRINGS MAY ROTATE OUT OF POSITION AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE.
Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT WITHOUT WARNING AND A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PLACE TWO SQUARE BEND "U" BOLTS WITH WASHERS AND NUTS AND RETAINING PLATE THAT WILL BE CENTERED ON THE SPRING CENTER BOLT TO RESTRAIN THE LOWER SPRING LEAF. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 574-389-4600.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V756000 · Equipment
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗