2019 Forest River Salem recalls & complaints

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. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Catalina and Apex travel trailers and Forest River Shasta, Wildwood, Salem, Vibe, Sierra, Sandpiper, XLR and Prime Time travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burnout or cause the hub to overheat.

What could happen: The missing bearing race may cause premature hub bearing failure, possibly resulting in a separation of the hub from the axle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2018. For customer service, Catalina owners may contact Coachmen at 1-574-825-8657, Apex owners should call 1-574-358-0401, Shasta owners: 1-574-825-8717, Wildw…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V624000 (manufacturer code 51-0851).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-825-8657.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.

What could happen: If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V550000 (manufacturer code 22/30-0824).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-503-831-5410.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The power cord hatch is located above the water heater exhaust, possibly resulting in the cord or the hatch melting.

What could happen: A melted cord may result in bare wiring, increasing the risk of fire.

The fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will secure the power cord away from the water heater exhaust, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 574-534-6127. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0929.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V933000 (manufacturer code 44-0929).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem and Wildwood motorhomes. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.

What could happen: A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. This recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1219.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V482000 (manufacturer code 22-1219).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-503-831-5410.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. 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. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. These vehicles are equipped with an axle equalizer that can allow the axle to contact the chassis.

What could happen: If the axle contacts the chassis, it could result in axle failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the axle equalizer kit with a taller equalizer kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 27, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 72-0753.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V386000 (manufacturer code 72-0753).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-534-4058.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. The clearance lights on these vehicles may not work due to being incorrectly wired. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

What could happen: Inoperative clearance lights can reduce the trailers visibility to others, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will correct the clearance light wiring, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-6127. Forest River's number for this recall is 63-0921.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V856000 (manufacturer code 63-0921).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-534-6127.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Trailer Hitches

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers. The break-away safety switch may not be wired to constant power, which can cause the trailer brakes to not activate in the event of a trailer separation from the tow vehicle.

What could happen: If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V563000 (manufacturer code 67A-1230).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-909-873-3777.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem, Wildwood and 2020-2021 Stealth EVO travel trailers. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.

What could happen: A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1400.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V621000 (manufacturer code 22-1400).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-503-831-5410.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Wildwood and Salem recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may have been improperly wired such that it is not connected to a constant power source, thereby possibly preventing the trailer brakes from automatically applying if the trailer were to separate from the tow vehicle.

What could happen: If the trailer does not brake when it becomes detached from the tow vehicle, it can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-0764.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V428000 (manufacturer code 69-0764).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-534-4058.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.

What could happen: Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V682000 (manufacturer code 205-1987).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-825-4995.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened.

What could happen: The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install a replacement outside shower, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0762.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2019 SALEM.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V436000 (manufacturer code 44-0762).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-534-3167.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (5), Unknown Or Other (1), Equipment (1), Suspension (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.