- The problem
- 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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2018 Forest River Columbus Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2018 Forest River Columbus with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (2) and the suspension (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2017 for the tires. For comparison, the 2017 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Columbus year, for its age
#305 most complained-about 2018 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2018 Forest River Columbus problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2018 Forest River Columbus recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2018 Forest River Columbus
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Columbus. The contact stated that the pin box behind the tow area had sidewall separation from the frame of the trailer. The trailer was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
After a trip I found a crack in the fiberglass under the slide out, the dealer sent me to a Bodyshop. They have determined that the welds for the frame have broken. I have contacted forest river they will not try to help with the repair. I believe this is a safety issue with their product.
Forest River Columbus: every year compared
All Columbus years2018 Forest River Columbus vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Forest River Columbus | 2 | 1 | D | |
| 2018 Forest River Cherokee | 14 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Flagstaff | 5 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Georgetown | 4 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Cedar Creek | 4 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Freedom Express | 3 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Arctic Wolf | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River FR3 | 3 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2018 Forest River Berkshire | 1 | 11 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2018 Forest River Columbus
Does the 2018 Forest River Columbus have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Forest River Columbus: tires (April 2017). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Forest River Columbus?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (2), suspension (1).
How many complaints has the 2018 Forest River Columbus had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 12, 2025 and the latest on November 6, 2025. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2018 Forest River Columbus a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 35 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Forest River Columbus year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Forest River Columbus years have the most complaints?
2018 (2), 2013 (1), 2014 (1). See every Forest River Columbus year compared.
What should I do if my 2018 Forest River Columbus has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data