2014 Forest River XLR: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER V-CROSS (NA) EQUIPPED WITH VAIL SPORT ST LH99 TIRES, SIZE: 225/75D15. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE THREADS SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14T001000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10887822 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER XLR TOWED BY A 2003 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ARRIVAL FROM A TRIP, SHE DROVE INTO HER DRIVEWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DRAGGING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10925887 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE PULLING OUR CAMPER DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER SNAPPED (2ND DECK OF A FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER). WE WERE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 89 EAST OF THE GRAND CANYON WHERE THE ROADWAY HAS MULTIPLE DIPS IN THE ROAD. WE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE CAMPER. WHEN WE STOPPED FOR FUEL IN PAGE AZ, WE DISCOVERED MANY DENTS AND SPLITS IN THE FRONT OF THE SIDEWALKS OF THE CAMPER. I TOOK PHOTOS TO SEND TO XLR WARRANTY DEPARTMENT WHERE I WAS REFERRED TO LIPPERT, THE MFG OF THE CAMPER FRAME. WHEN I PULLED DOWN THE FRONT TRIM PIECE TO SEE WHAT BROKE, I DISCO…

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11228257 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: 2014-04-23 (April 23, 2014)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014 XLR XLT29HSF travel trailers manufactured October 10, 2013, through April 16, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the Federal Certification label incorrectly states that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is 11,135 pounds instead of the correct GVWR of 9,774 pounds as well as incorrectly stating the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) as 5,080 pounds instead of the correct GAWR of 4,400 pounds. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: If the trailer is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will supply a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began on May 23, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383.

Reported: 2015-11-19 (November 19, 2015)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.

Consequence: The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Atwood customer service at 1-574-264-2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.

Reported: 2016-06-22 (June 22, 2016)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 XLR toyhaulers manufactured August 28, 2012, to November 5, 2015. These vehicles may have an axle equalizer knurled bolt (axle shackle locating bolt) that may not be properly seated in the chassis axle hanger.

Consequence: If the equalizer knurled bolt is not installed properly, the bolt may not properly secure the axle, allowing it to shift and result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any equalizer knurled bolts and nuts that were improperly installed, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0431. Forest River's number for this recall is 45-06102016-0208.

Reported: 2017-05-02 (May 2, 2017)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014 XLR Hyperlite toyhaulers. These vehicles have an axle equalizer knurled bolt (axle shackle locating bolt) that may not be properly seated in the chassis axle hanger.

Consequence: If the equalizer knurled bolt is not installed properly, the bolt may not properly secure the axle, allowing it to shift and result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any equalizer knurled bolts and nuts that were improperly installed, free of charge. The recall began on June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0431. Forest River's number for this recall is 45-03202017-0355.

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.