2013 Forest River WILDWOOD: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD 27RLS5 RV. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT THE FRONT TIRE HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT AND REAR AXLE WERE BOTH FAULTY WHICH RESULTED IN THE TIRE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500599 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASE A 2013 WILDWOOD X-LITE 195BH, MADE BY FORESTRIVER FROM BOAT N RV IN RIDGELAND SC ON 9-26-2012,I LIVE 45 MILES FROM THERE STORE,I HAD PLANNED ON USEING THE CAMPER IN OCT. 2012,BUT MY WIFE HAD GOTTEN SICK (CANCER). WE WAITED UNTIL SHE WAS BETTER AND WAS GOING TO USE IT LABOR DAY 2013,THE CAMPER CAME WITH 1 (ONE) SET OF JACKS ON THE REAR,I BOUGHT ANOTHER SET FOR THE FRONT,AS I WAS PUTTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE JACK ON THE FRONT OF THE FRAME,I NOTICED THERE WAS A CREASE ON THE FRAME WITH RUST SHOWING,I INSTALLED THE JACK AND WENT TO THE LEFT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10544838 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL OF THE CAMPER SUDDENLY FAILED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE WAS BENT AND CAUSED EXCESSIVE WEAR TO BOTH TIRES. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A WEIGHT OVERLOAD ISSUE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT ALLOWED WAS 3,500 POUNDS, BUT THE TRAILER ALONE WEIGHED 3,150 WITHOUT ANYONE INSIDE THE CAMPER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10874358 at NHTSA ↗

TRAVEL TRAILER FRAME CRACKED ABOVE THE REAR SPRING HANGER BOTH SIDES.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11021025 at NHTSA ↗

MY REAR AXLE BENT WEARING THE TIRES DOWN TO THE BELT. THE AXLES ARE RATED FOR 3500 POUNDS EACH OR 7000 MAXIMUM FOR BOTH. THE WEIGHT OF THE UNIT EMPTY IS 6575 WITH A MAXIMUM CARGO OF 1107 POUNDS, FOR A TOTAL WEIGHT OF 7682. THE MANUFACTURER IS ESSENTIALLY TELLING ME TO OVERLOAD IT BY THEIR SAFETY PLACARDS. UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER THE USUAL RUN AROUND TELLING ME IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY ETC, AND I MUST HAVE OVERLOADED IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE A BROKEN AXLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WOULD BE DISASTROUS. I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11084373 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2013-05-17 (May 17, 2013)

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Consequence: If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

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.