- The problem
- 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 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
- The risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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 at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.
Vehicle safety record
2011 Forest River Salem Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2011 Forest River Salem with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (1) and the body, doors & structure (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in November 2017 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2010 has 1 and the 2012 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Salem year, for its age
#281 most complained-about 2011 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2011 Forest River Salem problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2011 Forest River Salem recalls 3
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
- The problem
- Forest river is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 salem travel trailers manufactured from september 25, 2009, through january 13, 2011. The bottom leaf on the leaf springs may rotate out of position and make contact with the tire.
- The risk
- This will cause the tire to blow out without warning and a loss of control of the vehicle resulting in property damage and/or personal injury or death.
- The fix
- Dealers will place two square bend "u" bolts with washers and nuts and retaining plate that will be centered on the spring center bolt to restrain the lower spring leaf. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on february 3, 2011. Owners may contact forest river at 574-389-4600.
- The problem
- Forest river is recalling certain model year 2011 salem and wildwood travel and fifth wheel trailers manufactured from october 2009 through june 11, 2010. The temperature control mechanism of the water heater may have been damaged during installation in the unit. As a result, the burner may flame up out of control when lit.
- The risk
- The excess flame outside of the burner chamber can result in a fire in the rv trailer.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair or replace the water heater free of charge. The safety recall began on june 15, 2010. Owners may contact forest river at 574-534-6913.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2011 Forest River Salem
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The main frame of the trailer has failed doe to a gross error of the mechanical design in making the front crossmember too thin to support the weight of the trailer. Additionally, the requirement to use a load leveler by the dealer as recommended by the manufacturer increases this load to the point that the calculated safety margin of the crossmember that supports the tongue is 1:1. The crossmember material is standard a36 steel with a nominal thickness of .1 Inches and is bent in the shape of a c channel, welded...
Read the full complaint
to the front of a 10 inch i-beam which comprises the majority of the load bearing structure of the main frame. The front crossmember in question is used as a support point for the underslung tongue that is welded to the lowermost point of the I beam and the front crossmember creating a fulcrum ratio of approximately 2.896 : 1. The lever being the tongue tubing itself that is then pushed upward into the front crossmember with a force of 2400 pounds as calculated using a measured tongue weight of 830 pounds with the vehicle completely unloaded of all cargo and wastewater and with empty propane cylinders. This force is supported by a tongue comprised of a 2x6 rectangular tubing with a nominal wall thickness of .098 Inches that has deformed longitudinally and expanded laterally across the short axis directly under the front crossmemeber. The front crossmember has then receded into the underbelly of the camper and begun a vertical crack that has compromised the handling characteristics of both the tow vehicle and the trailer at speed. Additionally, the electrical braking system has failed due to other design flaws in the protection of wiring within the wheel and the design of the mechanical actuation that impinges on the wiring harnesses freedom of movement while being actuated. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 forrest river salem. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, another driver alerted her that the rear of the vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder. The contact extinguished the fire, which was located on the rear axle. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop and the contact was informed that the rear axle melted due to a bearing failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.
Forest River Salem: every year compared
All Salem years2011 Forest River Salem vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Forest River Salem | 2 | 3 | C | |
| 2011 Forest River Georgetown | 7 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Forest River Crusader | 5 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 2011 Forest River Berkshire | 3 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Forest River R-Pod | 3 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2011 Forest River Cedar Creek | 2 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 2011 Forest River Puma | 1 | 2 | C | 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 2011 Forest River Salem
Does the 2011 Forest River Salem have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2011 Forest River Salem: equipment (November 2017); leaf spring assembly (January 2011); water heater (June 2010). 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 2011 Forest River Salem?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (1), body, doors & structure (1), brakes (1).
How many complaints has the 2011 Forest River Salem had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 14, 2011 and the latest on February 8, 2012. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2011 Forest River Salem a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 47 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Forest River Salem 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 Salem years have the most complaints?
2008 (3), 2001 (2), 2011 (2). See every Forest River Salem year compared.
What should I do if my 2011 Forest River Salem 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