2014 Palomino COLUMBUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
2,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 18 complaints (83.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 83.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
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 | 15 |
| Wheels | 5 |
| Structure | 2 |
| Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | 1 |
Service Brakes: 15; Wheels: 5; Structure: 2; Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire: 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 | 11 |
| 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: 11; 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 (11). 7 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 | 13 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2014: 13; 2015: 2; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 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 10544291 · 2013-09-18 (September 18, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER COLUMBUS FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND REAR BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BECAME SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WOULD NE…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10544291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563591 · 2014-02-09 (February 9, 2014)
BRAKE SEALS ARE OVER GREASED OR BROKEN. WE'VE HAD OUR UNIT GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURERS FACTORY FOR WORK & HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES & SEALS. THE UNIT CAME BACK WITH DIFFERENT WHEELS AND BRAKES BUT THE ISSUE OF LITERALLY HAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKES WHEN PULLING WAS MOST DEFINITELY STILL THERE. LIPPERT MAKES THE BRAKE & PARTS AND WE TRIED CONTACTING THEM ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. WE WERE NOT HELPED MUCH AT ALL. WE VOICED OUR PROBLEM TO LIPPE VIA PHONE, EMAIL & THEIR FACEBOOK WALL. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR UNIT SAYS IT'S LIPPERTS PROBLEM. ALL IT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10563591 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10563621 · 2014-02-09 (February 9, 2014)
I PURCHASED A 2014 FORREST RIVER/PALOMINO/COLUMBUS 320RS IN APRIL OF 2013. ON A CAMPING TRIP IN SEPTEMBER I RECEIVED A MESSAGE ON THE DASH OF MY TRUCK TO CHECK THE TRAILER BRAKES. WHEN I GOT TO THE CAMPSITE I FOUND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE HAD BEEN PULLED OUT, ACTIVATING THE BRAKES. PROBLEM WAS, I DIDN'T FEEL THE BRAKES. WHEN I GOT HOME I REMOVED THE R/F WHEEL OF THE 5TH WHEEL. IT WAS COVERED IN GREASE. I THEN CHECKED THE OTHER WHEELS AND FOUND ALL FOUR TO HAVE FAILED GREASE SEALS, THREE OF THE FOUR SHOE ASSEMBLIES COVERED IN GREASE, AND ONE W…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10563621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564143 · 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)
UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT GREASE SEALS HAD FAILED ON ALL FOUR WHEEL ASSEMBLIES. GREASE HAD LEAKED OUT AND COATED THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. BRAKING ACTION HAD BEEN DIMINISHED SUBSTANTIALLY. IN OCTOBER 2013, A LOCAL DEALER REPLACED ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND SEALS UNDER FOREST RIVER WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577479 · 2014-04-04 (April 4, 2014)
OUR 5TH WHEEL CAMPER TRAILER, COLUMBUS 295RL, FAILED TO HELP TOW VEHICLE STOP. WHILE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, INSPECTION OF WHEELS INDICATED GREASE CONTAMINATION. DEALER AND LIPPERT, MFG. OF AXLE AND BRAKE SYSTEM FOUND GREASE CONTAMINATION IN THREE OUT OF FOUR HUB ASSEMBLIES AND REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH NEW DRUM/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. SINCE, HAVE ONLY PULLED TRAILER JUST UNDER 200 MILES WITH NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10577525 · 2014-04-04 (April 4, 2014)
RECEIVED NEW TRAILER AND HAD NO BRAKES. RETURNED TO DEALER SHORTLY THEREAFTER FOR REPAIR. DEALER COMPLETELY DISASSEMBLED AND FOUND EXCESSIVE GREASE AND MULTIPLE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE SYSTEM, REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10577525 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615183 · 2014-07-21 (July 21, 2014)
ON JULY 12TH 2014 ALL FOUR LIPPERT AXLE HUB SEALS FAILED AFTER ONLY 500 MILES OF TOWING! LEAKING GREASE INTO BRAKE DRUM CAUSING BRAKES TO CONTAMINATE AND FAIL. OVERHEATING OF THIS GREASE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN HUBS WITH CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. THIS EVENT JUST SO HAPPENED THE DAY OF MY WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND I AM CURRENTLY FIGHTING WITH LIPPERT TO COVER LABOR COSTS. I COULD NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALER UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (DUE TO THE WEEKEND) WHICH PUT ME TWO DAYS PAST MY WARRANTY. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT …
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10615354 · 2014-07-22 (July 22, 2014)
I HAVE FILED BEFORE FOR FAILED GREASE SEALS ON SAME UNIT...TWO TIMES BEFORE...ENTIRE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED LAST TIME. I TOOK TRAILER TO LOCAL SHOP FOR BRAKE ADJUSTMENT BEFORE A LONG TRIP AND THEY FOUND A LEAKING GREASE SEAL ON RIGHT REAR. REPLACED SEAL..... *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615354 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 ↗