2017 Forest River Salem problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Forest River Salem, most often about wheels & tires. There are 9 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
2
Recalls
9
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
3,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Wheels & Tires is the most-reported problem area, named in 1 of 2 complaints (50%).
  • Body & Structure (1) and other areas follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 3,000 mi.
  • The 2017 Forest River Salem has 9 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 8th of 10 Forest River Salem model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2017 Forest River Salem problems by category

  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Structure:body:roof and pillars1
Tires1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Forest River Salem complaints that list mileage.

2017 Forest River Salem recalls (9)

  • Recall 25V682000Oct 10, 202520,305 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

    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.

    Risk: Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 18V550000Aug 21, 20185,847 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

    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.

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

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 18V436000Jun 27, 2018326 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

    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.

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

    Remedy: 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.

  • Recall 17V756000Nov 22, 2017365,885 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT

    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

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 17V282000Apr 26, 201771 vehicles
    TIRES

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Salem, Wildwood, XLR, Sanibel, Wildcat, Vengeance, Chaparral Lite and Columbus recreational trailers. The Federal Placard may inaccurately list the tire and rim combinations that are installed on the trailers. Additionally, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: The incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, all scenarios that may increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-04242017-0393.

  • Recall 17V218000Mar 31, 20176 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Salem and Wildwood recreational vehicles. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly lists the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) being 5,080 lbs, when the axles actually have a capacity of 4,400 lbs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: The incorrect GAWR may result in the vehicle being overloaded, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 27-03292017-0362.

  • Recall 17V118000Feb 24, 201717 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Wildwood recreational trailers, model WDT197BH and Salem recreational trailers, model SMT197BH. The lower sidewall vent for the refrigerator was improperly installed, allowing propane gas to enter the vehicle.

    Risk: A propane leak into the interior of the vehicle in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or explosion.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new vent into the vehicle floor, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-260-593-4001. Forest River's number for the recall is 72-02162017-0329.

  • Recall 16V787000Oct 28, 201692 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Salem recreational trailers, model SMT186RB, manufactured October 13, 2016 through October 21, 2016 and model year 2017 Wildwood recreational trailers, model WDT186RB, manufactured October 7, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The Federal Placard Label and the VIN incorrectly states that the vehicle has two axles, while the vehicle is only equipped with one axle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: If the owner follows the information on the Federal Placard Label, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Certificate of Origin, Federal Placard and VIN plate for each trailer, free of charge. The recall began on November 22, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-1251. Forest River's number for this recall is 6-10252016-0262.

  • Recall 16V673000Sep 16, 2016178 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · TIRES

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers manufactured August 9, 2016, to September 6, 2016. The Federal Placard on the affected vehicles incorrectly lists the tire and rim combination. The placard states ST225/75R15 Load Range C tires with an inflation pressure of 50PSI and a rim size of 15X6.0JJ, however, the trailer is equipped with ST225/75R15 Load Range D tires that have an inflation pressure of 65PSI, installed on 15X6.0JJ rims. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

    Risk: The incorrect tire information on the Federal Label may result in the operator under-inflating the tires. An underinflated tire may cause sudden tire failure, or poor handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2016. Salem owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-1251. Wildwood owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-533-2165. Forest River's number for this recall is 27-09082016-0243.

Recent 2017 Forest River Salem complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed May 23, 2024OHBody & Structure
    The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite RV. The contact stated due to water buildup in the roof, the ceiling was leaking during rainy weather. The contact stated that the leak had caused mold to build up on the front side of the camper. The contact stated that the roof slider had previously been repaired with tape due to water leaking and mildew. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
    NHTSA complaint #11590320 · source
  2. Filed Jun 22, 20203,000 miSCWheels & Tires
    Tl* the contact owns a 2017 forest river salem lite rv, equipped with four castle rock st brand tires n/a. Tire line: unknown - dot number: jumr2mt, size: 23580/r16. The he contact stated that while driving, the left rear tire blew and a couple of miles later the right rear tire also blew out. The contact pulled to a safe place and called a road safety company. The technician diagnosed that the failed tires were due tread separation. He also stated that two front tires were…
    NHTSA complaint #11330192 · source

Compare the 2017 Forest River Salem with another vehicle →

Other 2017 Forest River models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology