2012 Forest River Flagstaff recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.
What could happen: As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2012 FLAGSTAFF.
- Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V554000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-825-7178.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.
Consequence: As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2012 Forest River Flagstaff owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (4), Body / structure (2), Steering (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
08/16/2016 · Body / structure
THE FRAME HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK (6-8 INCHES LONG) BETWEEN THE FRONT AXLE AND THE DOOR OF THE TRAILER. THIS HAS LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE SLIDE OUT AND TO THE FLOOR NEAR THE CRACK. AFTER FINDING THE CRACK I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOWABILITY OF THIS UNIT. THIS WAS DISCOVERED AFTER A FAIRLY LONG TRIP, HOWEVER THE SLIDEOUT FAILURE AND FLOOR DAMAGE WAS OBVIUO…
07/15/2016 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF RV EQUIPPED WITH AMERICAN PACIFIC GLADIATOR (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 225/75/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. T…
08/08/2013 · Body / structure
TWO TIRES BLEW OUT APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES APART. FIRST TIRE DAMAGED WIRING AND BODY OF 5TH WHEEL. TIRES WERE CLASS C. SAMS AND GOODYEAR STATED THESE TIRES WERE UNDER RATED FOR THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH E RATED TRAILER TIRES. *TR
05/24/2012 · Wheels / tires
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF RV, EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES, SIZE ST235/80/R16. WHILE EXAMINING THE TIRE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SIDE WALL HAD EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VIN WA…
11/03/2011 · Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE RV BEGAN TO SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE WHILE ATTACHED TO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THE CONTACT INFLATE THE TIRES TO 15 PSI MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED INFLATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DOES NO…
09/05/2011 · Unknown Or Other
WE PURCHASED THE RV IN MIDDLEBURY, INDIANA AND STARTED HOME WITH IT ON AUG 12, 2011. WE STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT IN ILLINOIS. THE MORNING OF THE 13TH WE DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TANDOM TIRE BLEW LEAVING JUST PART OF THE SIDEWALL ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL. AFTER WE MADE IT HOME AND CHECKED THE LOAD LIMIT OF THE TIRES WE DISCOVERED…