2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
The 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Forest River, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer (1 complaint), Structure (1 complaint), and Structurebodyroof And Pillars (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM, potentially affecting up to 20,717 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 24V066000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 107 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Salem and Wildwood fifth wheel travel trailers. The Federal Placard may have incorrect tire size information. As such, these trailers fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars."
Consequence: Incorrect tire size information could result in the wrong tires being installed on the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will mail new federal placards, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 69-1731.
View full details →Recall 23V359000 — EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE
| 6 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Salem, and Wildwood Travel Trailers. The brass fitting connected to the furnace pipe may have been manufactured without thread sealant.
Consequence: Missing thread sealant can cause a propane gas leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the brass elbow and apply thread sealant as necessary, free of charge. All affected trailers are still within dealer inventory and therefore no owner notification letters will be mailed. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at...
View full details →Recall 23V288000 — SERVICE BRAKES
| 37 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The brakes may be incorrectly wired, which can result in a loss of brake function.
Consequence: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will rewire the brakes, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 27-1632.
View full details →Recall 22V920000 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:REFRIGERATOR
| 262 vehicles affected
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Salem, Stealth EVO, and Wildwood travel trailers. The 8-gauge wire connected to the 12-Volt refrigerator may not have over-current protection, which can cause the wire to melt.
Consequence: Melted wiring can cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a 20-AMP mini-breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1580.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equipmentrecreational Vehicletrailer | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodyroof And Pillars | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 35–65 MPH and towing a 2023 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite, the roof on the RV caved in. There was mold detected on the inner walls. The RV was swaying from left to right. The contact stated that the foundation had separated. The active air dam warning light was illuminated. The RV was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was structural damage and that the ceiling panels needed to be replaced. The RV was repaired, and the dealer recommended sending the RV to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 35–65 MPH and towing a 2023 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite, the roof on the RV caved in. There was mold detected on the inner walls. The RV was swaying from left to right. The contact stated that the foundation had separated. The active air dam warning light was illuminated. The RV was towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was structural damage and that the ceiling panels needed to be replaced. The RV was repaired, and the dealer recommended sending the RV to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
Only one day old, 3000 series Solera Lippert (serial number2021125707-RA ) awning material tore away from camper and support arms fell down. Awning was glued to light bar and did not have any other support. The power arms fell within range of hitting a person if they were there at the time. No one was injured in our case but very dangerous none the less.
Safety Rating for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
Forest River, Inc. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
511775 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This is a generic document used as an aid to help dealers diagnose the slide height adjustment.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2023 FOREST RIVER SALEM
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FOREST RIVER SALEM
- 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM — 7 complaints
- 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 (current)
- 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