2013 Palomino COLUMBUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
3,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 16 complaints (81.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 93.8% |
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 | 13 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
Service Brakes: 13; Suspension: 3; Service Brakes, Electric: 1; Structure:Body: 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 | 13 |
| 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: 13; 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 (13). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2013: 1; 2014: 11; 2015: 2; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 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 10546092 · 2013-09-29 (September 29, 2013)
I HAVE NOTICED SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED OUR COLUMBUS 340RK FIFTH WHEEL THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL ADEQUATE. HOWEVER, BEING A FIRST TIME OWNER OF SUCH A BIG TRAILER I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS NORMAL OR NOT. ON OR ABOUT 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 WE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP GRADE. UPON INSPECTING THE BRAKES I DISCOVERED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES HAD DEFECTIVE INNER WHEEL GREASE SEAL THAT ALLOWED GREASE TO COMPLETELY COAT THE BRAKES. I CALLED LIPPERT (LCI) TO REPORT MY SITUATION AND THE FACT THAT THERE WE…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10546092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560304 · 2014-01-16 (January 16, 2014)
THE LIPPERT 6K AXLE ON THE LISTED 5TH WHEEL TRAILER, WHEEL SEALS FAILED ALLOWING GREASE TO CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE SHOES, DIMINISHING OR ELIMINATING BRAKING ABILITY OF THE TRAILER. THIS IS AN ON GOING AND RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE AXLES, NOT JUST ON THE COLUMBUS/FOREST RIVER LINE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10561961 · 2014-01-29 (January 29, 2014)
FROM THE TIME WE BOUGHT OUR NEW FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, IT HAD NOT APPEARED TO STOP LIKE PREVIOUS TRAILERS WE HAD OWNED. I EVEN WENT AND TRADED IN A ONE YEAR OLD F-250 FOR A F-350 DUALLY AND IT STILL DID NOT SEEM TO STOP PROPERLY. AFTER OUR ONLY TRIP OF APPROXIMATELY 500 MILES, WE FIGURED OUT THAT WE TRULY HAD NO TRAILER BRAKES. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT BACK TO OUR DEALER WHO PULLED ALL THE WHEELS AND BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. ALL OF THE BRAKES WERE COVERED WITH GREASE AND EVIDENTLY THE REAR SEALS WERE BLOWN. LIPPERT WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SENT FOUR EN…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10561961 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563464 · 2014-02-08 (February 8, 2014)
WHILE TAKING OUR FIRST LONG TRIP IN OUR NEW COLUMBUS 5TH WHEEL TRAILER EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE QUICKLY DISCOVERED THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM WITH THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. AT FIRST IT SEEMED MINOR, BUT THE MORE WE TRAVELED, THE MORE EVIDENT IT BECAME. IT CULMINATED WITH A TRIP INTO A STATE PARK IN TEXAS THAT HAD A STEEP WINDING ROAD DOWN IN TO THE CAMPGROUND. PART WAY DOWN REALIZED THAT I HAD ALMOST NO BRAKING ABILITY FROM MY TRAILER. AFTER LEAVING THIS PARK I FOUND A SHOP IN KENTUCKY THAT COULD INSPECT MY BRAKES. UPON PULLING…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10563464 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10566135 · 2014-02-20 (February 20, 2014)
GREASE CONTAMINATION ON BRAKE LININGS --- 7000 LBS CAPACITY LIPPERT AXLES [COMPLAINT FILED BY BOWMAN (ODI) AFTER PHONE CONVERSATION WITH OWNER].
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10566135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10567696 · 2014-03-06 (March 6, 2014)
THIS IS A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. IT IS TOWED BY A 2012 F250 WITH FACTORY BRAKE CONTROLLER. THE BRAKES ON THE TRAILER SEEMED TO BE GETTING WEAKER EACH TIME I TOWED IT AND I KEPT INCREASING THE GAIN ON THE CONTROLLER TO COMPENSATE. HOWEVER ON THIS DATE AS I WAS EXITING HWY. 101 AT EL CAPITAN STATE BEACH AT 55 MPH THERE WAS LITTLE-TO-NO BRAKING VIA THE TRAILER, I HAD TO BRAKE HARD WITH THE TRUCK'S BRAKES TO MAKE A TURN AT THE END OF THE OFF RAMP. IT WAS QUITE CONCERNING. AFTER THE WEEKEND CAMPING WE RETURNED HOME CAUTIOUSLY AND CALLED BARBER RV IN V…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10567696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10587690 · 2014-05-11 (May 11, 2014)
DURING ANNUAL MAINTENANCE I HAVE FOUND ALL FOUR OF MY BRAKE DRUMS TO HAVE SIGNS OF GREASE IN THEM. IT APPEARS THE REAR SEAL HAS FAILED AND IS ALLOWING GREASE TO PENETRATE THE INNER BRAKE AREA. I HAVE PICTURES UPON REQUEST. THANK YOU *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10587690 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10653641 · 2014-11-08 (November 8, 2014)
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM LIPPERT INC. INDICATING THAT THERE WERE ISSUES WITH BRAKE COMPONENTS INSTALLED ON MY COLUMBUS 320RS FIFTH WHEEL THAT COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE TO STOP THE TRAILER. I TOOK IT INTO BERRYLAND CAMPERS AND HAD THEM INSPECTED. THE LIPPERT SEALS USED ON THE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES HAD LEAKED GREASE, CONTAMINATING THE BRAKE PADS WITH GREASE. LIPPERT COVERED PAD AND SEAL REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653641 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.
13V203000 · Equipment
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V828000 · Equipment
Reported: 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 FR3 motorhomes manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 12, 2016; 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toyhaulers manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 31, 2016; 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toyhaulers manufactured October 4, 2012, to December 4, 2015; and 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toyhaulers manufactured May 23, 2014, to November 23, 2016. These vehicles were equipped with certain aluminum, black, ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries. The affected ladders have retractable hinges, each with a welded 'top hat' that can separate from the hinge.
Consequence: If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on January 3, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102016-0271.
NHTSA campaign record ↗