2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
5
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
The 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE has received a total of 5 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, EQUIPMENT. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Forest River, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Exterior Lighting (1 complaint), Steering (1 complaint), and Structurebody (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE, potentially affecting up to 367,621 vehicles.
Recall 18V179000 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
| 416 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire, 2012-2017 Forest River Charleston, 2013-2015 Coachmen Cross Country and Pathfinder, and 2014-2015 Glaval Synergy motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on...
Consequence: Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, Forest River customer service...
View full details →Recall 17V799000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
| 108 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Berkshire XLT motorhomes. Incorrect circuit breakers were used that may not contact the electrical sub-panel correctly.
Consequence: If the breakers do not contact the sub-panel properly, the electrical resistance can cause excessive heat, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-1368. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-0594.
View full details →Recall 17V756000 — EQUIPMENT
| 365,885 vehicles affected
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, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 17V623000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
| 276 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Berkshire XL and XLT buses. The headlights may shut off while switching from low beam to high beam settings, reducing visibility for the operator and other vehicles.
Consequence: If the headlights shut off while driving, decreasing or causing a full loss of visibility, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental wiring harness that will stop the headlights from shutting off unexpectedly, free of charge. The recall began on October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at...
View full details →Recall 17V623000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 276 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Berkshire XL and XLT buses. The headlights may shut off while switching from low beam to high beam settings, reducing visibility for the operator and other vehicles.
Consequence: If the headlights shut off while driving, decreasing or causing a full loss of visibility, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental wiring harness that will stop the headlights from shutting off unexpectedly, free of charge. The recall began on October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at...
View full details →Recall 17V500000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 47 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Berkshire vehicles built on Freightliner Custom Chassis XCR chassis. A battery cable mounting bracket may not have been installed correctly, as a result, the improperly routed and clipped battery cable can contact the frame rail, possibly chafing and short circuiting.
Consequence: A battery cable short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Foreest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and revise the battery cable mounting bracket and cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-34-7440...
View full details →Recall 16V285000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
| 62 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Berkshire manufactured May 29, 2015, to April 26, 2016, and 2016 Coachmen Cross Country recreational vehicles manufactured April 30, 2015, to December 14, 2015 and built on Daimler Trucks chassis. The front sway bar mounting brackets may not fit properly on the axle causing the mounting bolts to bend...
Consequence: If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar may detach from the axle, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will modify the mounting of the sway bar, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this...
View full details →Recall 16V285000 — STEERING
| 62 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Berkshire manufactured May 29, 2015, to April 26, 2016, and 2016 Coachmen Cross Country recreational vehicles manufactured April 30, 2015, to December 14, 2015 and built on Daimler Trucks chassis. The front sway bar mounting brackets may not fit properly on the axle causing the mounting bolts to bend...
Consequence: If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar may detach from the axle, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will modify the mounting of the sway bar, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this...
View full details →Recall 15V771000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER
| 489 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve...
Consequence: The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WIFE WENT TO GET FOOD AND I STAYED IN MOTORHOME, I TRIED TO OPEN DOOR TO TAKE DOG FOR WALK BUT DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. GOOGLED IT AND SAW MANY OTHERS HAD SAME PROBLEM, I AM DISABLED BUT WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO CRAWL OUT WINDOW AFTER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE FOR OVER AN HOUR.NOW STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEELWELL LINER'S TWO SELF TAPPING SCREWS STRIPPED FROM BEING ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THE LINER ALSO HAD AN ALUMINUM TUBE ATTACHED TO THE LINER BUT WAS IN NO WAY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SCREWS AND FOAM SELANT. THIS FAULTY SECURING OF THE LINER ALLOWED NORMAL WIND FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO STRIP THE TWO SCREWS FROM THE ALUMINUM FRAME AND SEALANT CAUSING THE LINER TO FLAP UNCONTROLLABLY UNDER THE FRAME AND IN THE WHEELWELL AREA.
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEELWELL LINER'S TWO SELF TAPPING SCREWS STRIPPED FROM BEING ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THE LINER ALSO HAD AN ALUMINUM TUBE ATTACHED TO THE LINER BUT WAS IN NO WAY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SCREWS AND FOAM SELANT. THIS FAULTY SECURING OF THE LINER ALLOWED NORMAL WIND FROM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO STRIP THE TWO SCREWS FROM THE ALUMINUM FRAME AND SEALANT CAUSING THE LINER TO FLAP UNCONTROLLABLY UNDER THE FRAME AND IN THE WHEELWELL AREA.
AFTER PURCHASING OUR FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE XL ON AUGUST 1, 2016, I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE DURING THE DAY TIME, SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT LOOK CORRECT. THIS WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALER. THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL WORKED ON CORRECTING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR 5 HOURS ON AUGUST 2, 2016. THE FOLLOWING NIGHT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD AND HAD TO CLOSELY FOLLOWED MY WIFE WHO WAS DRIVING OUR CAR TO THE RV PARK. I DID NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL AFTER I TOOK THE UNIT TO THE FACTORY IN ELKHART, INDIANA ON AUGUST 24TH. THE NIGHT AFTER I LEFT ELKHART ON AUGUST 26TH I TESTED THE HEADLIGHTS FROM HIGH BEAMS TO LOW BEAM AND THEY WOULD TURN OFF COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. AGAIN I HAD TO NOT DRIVE AT NIGHT UNTIL I RETURNED TO FACTORY AGAIN ON SEPTEMBER 11TH. THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE WORKING ON A RECALL FOR THIS HEADLIGHT DESIGN. I'M TRYING TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THIS BY REPORTING THIS HAZARDOUS DESIGN. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH A LOT CAN HAPPEN IN 10 SECONDS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS HEADLIGHT THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.
Safety Rating for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
Forest River, Inc. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
400531 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
According to the notification received by Daimler Trucks North America; on certain vehicles, a check valve is missing on the auxiliary air tank, causing the tag axle steer tires to remain in a turn and then shifting into reverse. In addition, some of these vehicles also require an airline retrofit.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE
- 2011 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 3 complaints
- 2012 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 0 complaints
- 2013 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 0 complaints
- 2014 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 4 complaints
- 2015 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 1 complaint
- 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE (current)
- 2017 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 0 complaints
- 2018 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 0 complaints
- 2019 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 8 complaints
- 2020 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 2 complaints
- 2021 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE — 4 complaints
Other FOREST RIVER Models
- FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE — 191 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN — 183 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD — 158 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD — 139 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER SALEM — 136 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF — 100 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER SHASTA — 88 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER CARDINAL — 81 total complaints