2018 Forest River Salem problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 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
1,100 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Wheels & Tires is the most-reported problem area, named in 2 of 2 complaints (100%).
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 1,100 mi.
  • The 2018 Forest River Salem has 9 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 9th of 10 Forest River Salem model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2018 Forest River Salem problems by category

  • Wheels & Tires
    2 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
Tires1
Wheels1

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Forest River Salem complaints that list mileage.

2018 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 20V563000Sep 18, 20204,397 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL · TRAILER HITCHES

    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.

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

    Remedy: 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.

  • 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 18V232000Apr 12, 201824 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · TIRES

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Salem recreational trailers, model SMT282QBXL-OR. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may incorrectly state the tire pressure as 54 PSI, however, the correct tire pressure is 65 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." These vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: Incorrect tire pressure information can cause the operator to under inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River has notified owners and provided a tire placard with the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-0693.

  • Recall 17V790000Dec 8, 2017133 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly states that the trailers are equipped with ST215/75R15 Load Range D tires, however, the installed tires are size ST205/75R15 Load Range D. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: If the incorrect label causes the operator to install tires of the wrong size, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and provide corrected Federal Placards, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-848-1335. Forest River's number for this recall is 05-0595.

  • 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 17V484000Aug 2, 201730 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may state an incorrect weight of the trailer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Risk: An incorrect weight on the label may affect how the operator loads the vehicle, impacting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard with correct weight and cargo carrying capacity, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 63-07312017-0485.

  • 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.

Recent 2018 Forest River Salem complaints

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

  1. Filed Mar 7, 20211,000 miFLWheels & Tires
    Traveling on florida turnpike, 9:00 a.m., port saint lucie area. A loud bang and the blown tire. Passenger side front tire. We made it safely to the breakdown lane where we awaited fhp for assistance. After spare tire was put on we took the next exit and bought a new spare before continuing our trip to key west. After a two week stay we started our return home. Once again on florida turnpike in miami, 11:00 a.m., 02/25 we blew another tire, passenger side, rear tire. Result…
    NHTSA complaint #11399574 · source
  2. Filed Feb 9, 20201,200 miGAWheels & Tires
    Traveling from newton to panama city fl, 5 miles across state line right rear tire blew apart. Split from one bead to the other. Tread layer cake off and damaged travel trailer. Tires were st225/75r15 castlerock 8ply trailer tires. Came on trailer from factory. Dot date code 4516. Just over 3yrs old. I have been in tire business for over 20yrs so i take know the importance of tire maintenance. This is clearly a tire defect and tire manufacturer should be held accountable. I…
    NHTSA complaint #11308054 · source

Compare the 2018 Forest River Salem with another vehicle →

Other 2018 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