2020 Forest River Salem problems, complaints & recalls

2020 Forest River Salem recalls (7)

• 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 21V621000Aug 9, 2021336 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V727000Nov 23, 20204,203 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:OVEN/STOVE/COOKTOP · EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

  Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.

  Risk: A gas leak can increase the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.

• 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 20V482000Aug 14, 2020643 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  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.

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

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 20V049000Jan 29, 2020218 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.

  Risk: In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.

• Recall 19V754000Oct 23, 201941 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT

  Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 EVO, Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The trailer cooktops were installed with a rubber liquid propane (LP) gas line instead of a copper one.

  Risk: The rubber hose may melt, allowing gas to enter the vehicle, increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rubber LP gas line with a copper gas line, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1107.

Recent 2020 Forest River Salem complaints

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

1. Filed Jan 28, 2025ILFireElectrical System

   Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out,…

   NHTSA complaint #11639140 · source
2. Filed Jan 28, 2025ILFireElectrical System

   Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out,…

   NHTSA complaint #11639134 · source
3. Filed Jul 19, 2023FLWheels & Tires

   Had two Castle rock tires blow out on the highway one after the other tread, de-laminated in the center will attach photos

   NHTSA complaint #11533348 · source
4. Filed Jun 24, 2022TXBody & Structure

   The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem. The contact stated that the door on the travel trailer was unable to be opened from inside or outside. The contact stated that she had to remove the lock and use a screwdriver to unlock the door. The RV was not diagnosed by a dealer nor an independent mechanic. The door lock manufacturer RV Locks and More was made aware of the failure. The RV manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available.

   NHTSA complaint #11470900 · source
5. Filed Jun 22, 2022ALFireTowedElectrical System

   The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem fifth wheel. The contact stated that the RV was not able to start up. Additionally, the converter caught fire while the contact's husband was inside the RV. The contact's husband put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained and no medical attention was received. The RV was towed to the dealer; however, the RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11470401 · source
6. Filed Jan 6, 2022PABody & Structure

   Roof/wall seals prematurely failed. Travel trailer is a 2020. only 1 1/2 years old. Bought it brand new. Water damage can cause mold, creating health issues and structure issues. Currently at a repair facility being inspected for total damage and estimate on cost. Had it's last outing August 2020, no damage or signs of problem then, noticed bad seals and water damage 5 Jan 2022.

   NHTSA complaint #11446508 · source
7. Filed Sep 24, 2021SCWheels & Tires

   The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem trailer equipped with LionsHead Tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock, Tire Size: 235/80/R16, DOT Number: Jumr2mt4818. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side front and passenger’s side rear tire experienced blowouts and caused severe damaged to the trailer trims, plastic inner wheel well liner, and the wheel wells. The tires were replaced. The contact also stated that the blowouts happened on two separate dates, with…

   NHTSA complaint #11434242 · source
8. Filed Jun 27, 2021MOWheels & Tires

   Driving down the road and tire exploded. Cruise was set on 70 miles an hour and no debris was hit. Camper was empty, 14,000lbs. We were 80 miles from the dealership who preformed a full inspection of camper and tires.

   NHTSA complaint #11422495 · source

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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