2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
4
Owner Complaints
10
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
The 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM has received a total of 4 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 19 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:POTABLE WATER:STORAGE TANK, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Forest River, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Equipment (1 complaint), Structurebody (1 complaint), and Suspension (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has recorded 19 recalls for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM, potentially affecting up to 147,197 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 22V729000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:POTABLE WATER:STORAGE TANK
| 5,168 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem, Wildwood, and Ozark travel trailers. The fresh water tank may dislodge from the vehicle and fall to the ground when full or overfilled.
Consequence: A tank falling to the ground while in transit can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fresh water tank for straps. and install straps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2022. Owners may contact at Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this...
View full details →Recall 22V562000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 609 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel travel trailers. The awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall, which can allow the awning to detach while the vehicle is in motion.
Consequence: An awning that detaches increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for backers and reattach the awning if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1538.
View full details →Recall 22V562000 — STRUCTURE:BODY
| 609 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel travel trailers. The awning rail may not be attached to a backer in the sidewall, which can allow the awning to detach while the vehicle is in motion.
Consequence: An awning that detaches increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for backers and reattach the awning if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1538.
View full details →Recall 22V243000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS
| 99,190 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail,...
Consequence: A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report...
View full details →Recall 21V745000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 61 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel trailers. The Federal Placard lists a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) that exceeds the load carrying capacity of the pin box, which could result in an overloaded pin box.
Consequence: An overloaded pin box can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will mail owners a new Federal Placard, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 8, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1423.
View full details →Recall 21V621000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 336 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 21V621000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 336 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 21V621000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 336 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 21V621000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
| 336 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 21V443000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 289 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Salem Fifth Wheel, Salem Travel Trailer, Wildwood Fifth Wheel, and Wildwood Travel Trailer vehicles. The red and amber clearance lamps do not reflect enough light. As such these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Consequence: Less reflective clearance lamps can affect how other drivers judge the length of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will add reflex stickers to both the amber and red clearance lamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is...
View full details →Recall 21V443000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 289 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Salem Fifth Wheel, Salem Travel Trailer, Wildwood Fifth Wheel, and Wildwood Travel Trailer vehicles. The red and amber clearance lamps do not reflect enough light. As such these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment."
Consequence: Less reflective clearance lamps can affect how other drivers judge the length of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will add reflex stickers to both the amber and red clearance lamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is...
View full details →Recall 20V589000 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:OVEN/STOVE/COOKTOP
| 551 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The flame on the cooktop may become inverted, due to the cooktop not being isolated from the furnace return air.
Consequence: An inverted flame can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add sealant to the gaps in the paneling that are allowing the return air from the furnace to cause the inverted flame, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2020. Owners...
View full details →Recall 20V589000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE
| 551 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The flame on the cooktop may become inverted, due to the cooktop not being isolated from the furnace return air.
Consequence: An inverted flame can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add sealant to the gaps in the paneling that are allowing the return air from the furnace to cause the inverted flame, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2020. Owners...
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 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 20V482000 — EQUIPMENT
| 643 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
* On the way back home from the dealer in PA for a water-tank recall service, the right leaf spring on the trailer broke on the highway and caused the trailer on fire. The less than 3-years old trailer was totaled. Police and I took photos of the damaged trailer and spring. I also kept the broken spring for inspection. * It could be a FATAL incident. We were luckily stopped for gas otherwise the fire could be breaking out when we were driving on highway! * The spring was permanently broken and was confirmed by the police and towing/service center. * The trailer was inspected by police/fire department and Rossnagle's Service Center (police called). * There were NOT any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. We didn't feel any abnormal behavior of the trailer until we stopped for gas when we saw the smoke start to come out. I don't know how long the trailer body had been sit in the moving tire before the fire started.
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Salem. The contact stated that the strap hooks in the trailer were screwed to the floor but not the frame; therefore, no items of substantial weight were able be strapped in the trailer which would be used for hauling large items. The contact also stated that the hooks were advertised to hold up to 2300 pounds which he deemed impossible, since the hooks were not strapped to the trailer's frame. The contact had called the manufacturer on numerous occasions and sent several emails; however, the contact had yet to receive a response. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.
While driving this 2021 Travel Trailer down the road the underbelly blew out of the bottom of the trailer. This is causing air now to push up underneath the travel trailer possibly causing further damage to the walls and flooring of the trailer.
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Salem. The contact stated while stationary, the bolts attaching the front live-in slide to the body fractured, resulting in the slide detaching from the body. The trailer was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000. The consumer provided photos of the trailer.
Safety Rating for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
Forest River, Inc. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
511384 — EQUIPMENT
How to change a LCI Schwinteck Slide Mechanism.
67A1222 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
The thermostat is wired incorrectly at the air conditioning control box located at the ceiling assembly. This condition will cause the fan to not run when using the low setting only. However, the compressor will still run.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FOREST RIVER SALEM
- 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 15 complaints
- 2017 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 6 complaints
- 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 7 complaints
- 2019 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 9 complaints
- 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 14 complaints
- 2021 FOREST RIVER SALEM (current)
- 2022 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 19 complaints
- 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 3 complaints
- 2024 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 6 complaints
- 2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 6 complaints
- 2026 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 0 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