2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
7
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
The 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM has received a total of 7 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL, TRAILER HITCHES. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (2 complaints), Structurebody (2 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM, potentially affecting up to 401,439 vehicles.
Recall 25V682000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 20,305 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 20V563000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
| 4,397 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 20V563000 — TRAILER HITCHES
| 4,397 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 18V550000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
| 5,847 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 18V436000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 326 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 18V232000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 24 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 18V232000 — TIRES
| 24 vehicles affected
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...
Consequence: 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...
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 17V790000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 133 vehicles affected
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 (FMVSS)...
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.
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.
View full details →Recall 17V484000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 30 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 17V282000 — TIRES
| 71 vehicles affected
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. As such, these vehicles...
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.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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 OF THAT FAILED TIRE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO RV. RETURNED HOME AND HAD FOUR NEW TIRES INSTALLED. CALLAGY TIRE (PALM BAY FL) TECHNICIAN NOTED THAT THE TWO TIRES ON DRIVERS SIDE WERE DETERIORATED AND FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. PLEASE NOTE: RV IS STORED UNDER A TENT ON BOARDS. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BEFORE OUR TRIP AND ONE AGAIN WHEN WE PICKED UP THE NEW SPARE AT BAYSHORE TIRE SERVICE. BOTH BLOWOUTS WERE ON FL TURNPIKE, 65 MPH, DRY ROADS. *DT*DT Consumer stated trailer did not even have 2000 miles and had 2 blow outs within 15 miles of each other.
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 FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS TIRE AND OTHERS MADE BY THE SAME MANUFACTURER ONLINE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. MAX SPEEDS THAT MORNING OF TRAVEL WERE 50-55MPH DUE TO SUCH A WINDY MORNING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB *DT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB *DT*JB
I RECEIVED A NEW FOREST RIVER RV, TRAVEL TRAILER WITH RUSTED GAS LINE PIPING AND FRAME
Safety Rating for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FOREST RIVER SALEM
- 2013 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 2 complaints
- 2014 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 1 complaint
- 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 14 complaints
- 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 15 complaints
- 2017 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 6 complaints
- 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM (current)
- 2019 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 9 complaints
- 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 14 complaints
- 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 4 complaints
- 2022 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 19 complaints
- 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 3 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 FLAGSTAFF — 100 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER SHASTA — 88 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER CARDINAL — 81 total complaints
- FOREST RIVER WILDCAT — 72 total complaints