The Used Car Index

2018 Forest River Salem problems

NHTSA lists 6 complaints for the 2018 Forest River Salem, 0 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 0 complaints mention an injury, with 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as FOREST RIVER SALEM.

At a glance

Complaints
6
With crash
0
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0
Recalls
9
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
365,885
Investigations
0
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
6

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233.3%
STRUCTURE233.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM116.7%
TIRES116.7%
WHEELS116.7%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY2

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure350.0%0.98
electrical electronic233.3%0.78
structural or corrosion116.7%1.00
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate350.0%0.76
low233.3%0.84
high116.7%0.63

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 6 tagged complaints of 6 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

9 recalls.

25V682000

Date: 2025-10-10. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

20V563000

Date: 2020-09-18. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, TRAILER HITCHES.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V550000

Date: 2018-08-21. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Defect: 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 vehi (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V436000

Date: 2018-06-27. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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.

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V232000

Date: 2018-04-12. Systems: EQUIPMENT, TIRES.

Defect: 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 a (excerpt)

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

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V790000

Date: 2017-12-08. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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 (FMVS (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V756000

Date: 2017-11-22. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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, (excerpt)

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury. (excerpt)

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 thi (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V484000

Date: 2017-08-02. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Defect: 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."

Consequence: 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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

17V282000

Date: 2017-04-26. Systems: TIRES.

Defect: 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. (excerpt)

Consequence: 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. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

0 investigations; 0 open.

Manufacturer communications

6 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT4
STRUCTURE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1

10202762

Date: 2021-10-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

Generic instructions for Xantrex - Freedom X Inverter Configuration "Adjusting Feature Settings in Configuration Model".

10190120

Date: 2021-04-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

Rear wall backer locations for installation of rear ladders at dealerships.

10178433

Date: 2020-08-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.

10167302

Date: 2019-11-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

The 42DL model has a potential of the side wall bowing when the sliderooms are in the deployed position. Add decorative gussets per notice.

10145691

Date: 2018-09-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?The nuisance issue enunciates by either blowing the protective fuse, opening the circuit breaker in the furnace circuit, or rendering the furnace inoperative. Our testing has shown that in ALL instances the furnace fails in a safe manner.?

10145692

Date: 2018-09-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

Per the service bulletin from Dometic ?Dometic Corporation has identified a visual cosmetic defect that has occurred on our Dometic DM2652 refrigerators up in the freezer compartment. This does NOT occur on all units, but may be present on units with serial numbers starting with MB between 805xxxxx

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SALEM6

Same model, other years

All model years | All Forest River models

Other Forest River models, 2018

Sources

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