2004 Forest River WILDCAT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
3,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 10 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Equipment:Other:Labels | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
Suspension: 3; Tires: 3; Structure: 2; Equipment:Other:Labels: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 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). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. 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 10169643 · 2006-09-30 (September 30, 2006)
TIRE BLEW ON 2004 FOREST RIVER WILDCAT 28BH FIFTH WHEEL. 2ND OF 3 TIRES IN 2 MONTHS. DESTROYED UNDER CARRIAGE OF FIFTH WHEEL ABOVE WHEEL WHICH IS WHERE THE WATER HEATER IS LOCATED AND WATER PIPES GOING TOO IT. AS USUAL DEALER AGAIN SAID IT WAS ROAD DAMAGE AND NOTHING HE COULD DO CARLISLE TIRES). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170375 · 2006-10-10 (October 10, 2006)
WE WERE HAULER OUR 28' WILDCAT TRAVEL TRAILER ON OUR WAY TO RENO. ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTH OF LONE PINE WE HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE RIGHT FRONT TRAILER TIRE. THE ONE NEXT TO IT WAS SEPARATED ALSO. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW IT TOOK OUT THE FENDER SKIRT AND ALL THE INSULATION AND SKIN DIRECTLY ABOVE THE TIRE. I HAD TO PUT ON THE SPARE TIRE AND TRAVELED TO LONE PINE AT 45 MPH AND SPENT THE NIGHT THERE AS IT WAS TOO LATE TO GO TO THE TIRE STORE. THE NEXT MORNING WE WENT TO MILLER TOWING AND TIRES IN LONE PINE AND GOT 5 NEW TIRES. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE COUNTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10170375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10186206 · 2007-03-26 (March 26, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FOREST RIVER WILDCAT, 27 RL SE, 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. THE RV WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2006 AND SINCE THEN HE OBSERVED THAT THE ACTUAL WEIGHT WAS MORE THAN THE WEIGHT LISTED ON THE STICKER. THE PICK UP TRUCK WAS UNABLE TO TOW THE RV. THE CAB SCALES WERE ACCURATE, AND ALSO INDICATED THAT THE STICKER WEIGHT WAS INCORRECT. FOREST RIVER, THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO MAIL HIM A CHECK AND REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, THE DEALER A WANTED TO SELL HIM ANOTHER RV WHICH WEIGHED LESS. AND BELIEVED THAT THE COST SHO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10186206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236844 · 2008-08-04 (August 4, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER TRAVEL TRAILER. WHILE ACCELERATING AT 35 MPH, THE TRAILER FISHTAILED. BOTH AXLES SEPARATED FROM THE TRAILER. THE WELDING SHOP STATED THAT THERE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE FOUR BOLTS HOLDING THEM TOGETHER, BUT THREE HAD SHEARED AND THE STEEL USED WAS NOT THE APPROPRIATE THICKNESS TO SUPPORT A VEHICLE OF ITS CAPACITY. THERE WERE ONLY TWO WELDS ON THE TRAILER. THE WELDING SHOP HAS ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10236844 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243755 · 2008-09-29 (September 29, 2008)
FRONT AND REAR AXLES ON 2004 WILDCAT TRAILER HAVE AN ISSUE WITH RUST. *NJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10243755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250809 · 2008-12-05 (December 5, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR. HE WAS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BECAUSE IT CONSISTED OF PLACING A HEAT SHIELD OVER THE FAILED EQUIPMENT IN CASE A FIRE OCCURS. HE FELT THAT THE ENTIRE REFRIGERATOR UNIT SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE BOILER TUBES FAILED. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10250809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252219 · 2008-12-18 (December 18, 2008)
I AM AN OWNER OF A 2004 WILDCAT, 28? FIFTH WHEEL. DURING A TRIP I NOTICED ONE OF THE TIRES WAS WORN TO THE CORD ON THE INSIDE EDGE, WHILE STILL HAVING TREAD ON THE OUTSIDE. IF THIS HAD NOT BEEN NOTICED, I?M SURE THAT WITHIN THE NEXT 100 MILES I WOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGING A TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH RUBBER FROM THE TIRE EVERYWHERE. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND TRIP CONTINUED. UPON RETURN, I DISCUSSED THE ISSUE WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE RV DEALER AND HE REFERRED ME TO A SPECIALIST SHOP THAT HAD THE EQUIPMENT TO CHECK THE SUSPENSION. IT W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10252219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10326061 · 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
I OWN A 2004 FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAVE NOTICED THE WEB OF THE FRAME CRACKING OVER THE SHACKLE MOUNTS FOR SOME TIME AND HAVE BEEN KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON IT. I HAVE JUST NOTICED NOW THAT THE FRAME IS BROKEN UP NEAR THE HITCH AND CAN NO LONGER BE TOWED WITH OUT REPAIR. I HAVE NOT, IN MY OPINION, ABUSED THIS TRAILER OR USED IT OUTSIDE IT'S INTENDED USE. I AND OTHERS, ARE FORTUNATE THAT I NOTICED THE BROKEN FRAME BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10326061 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V346000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Reported: 2008-07-07 (July 7, 2008)
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
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 ↗