FaultScore

FaultScore report

2019 Forest River Flagstaff problems

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2019 Forest River Flagstaff with NHTSA between 2019 and 2025. The largest single group is the body & structure. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.

D

FaultScore 64/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Forest River Flagstaff.

How this is worked out

The numbers

10

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 43 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 43
Against the median year of the Forest River Flagstaff. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 2019 compares with every other Forest River Flagstaff

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2019 Forest River Flagstaff

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Tires 3 30.0%
Body & Structure 3 30.0%

Median failure at 1,000 miles

Other & Unspecified 2 20.0%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 2 20.0%

0 crashes, 2 fires

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2019 peak 3 Jun 2025

Recalls on the 2019 Forest River Flagstaff

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2019059 13 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: On certain travel trailers, the latches that hold the front, rear and side bunks closed could fail. This could cause the bunks to open while the trailer is in motion. Safety Risk: If the bunks open during transit, a change in trailer handling could create an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to have improved latch fasteners installed.

Recall 2019048 272 units in Canada

Electrical

Issue: On certain travel trailers, the breakaway safety switch may not be properly wired. If the house battery switch is turned off, the breakaway switch will lose power. If the trailer separates from a tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would not self-apply. Safety Risk: If the trailer breakaway switch does not work properly, there could be an increased risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: The company will notify owners by mail. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to install a new wiring harness for the breakaway safety switch.

Recall 2018531 128 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain travel trailers, the brake mounting flange may have been incorrectly installed during the axle manufacturing process. This could cause the brakes to fail prematurely, resulting in longer braking distances and increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and replace the affected axles or hubs as necessary.

Recall 2018376 30 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain travel trailers, the inner bearings on the axle may be incorrect and could seize. This could result in a wheel lock-up and increased drag on the tow vehicle, which could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the inner bearings.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Escanaba, MI Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escanaba, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escanaba, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Escanaba, MI Fire

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escanaba, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Escanaba, MI Fire

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

I setup my camper and turn the hot water heater on using the propane setting. I left the camper and came back and could smell something hot/burning inside the camper. I looked at the rubber propane line connected to the hot water heater was on fire. I opened the cover to the hot water heater and blew the flame out. Propane was leaking from the rubber line that was cracked. I turned the gas off to prevent additional fire. The gas line appeared to by dry rotted. The camper would have burned if I didnt catch the line on fire. The line was replaced, but should have been a better line. I made the repair myself and did not report it to the manufacturer or anyone. There was no warning of the fire until I bought the fire outside.

NHTSA complaint #11664455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Eagle, ID

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

The Castle Rock spare tire failed while on the rim mounted to spare tire holder. Tire was covered 24/7. Size st 205/75r14 Failure was in belts on tread. Large bubble on inside of tire under treads with outside of tire deformed. Pictures available Tire was never used. Air pressure checked with other tires before usage.

NHTSA complaint #11524032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

TIRES

Tire blowout on single axel travel trailer ST205/75 R14

NHTSA complaint #11481872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Simons Island, GA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Two of the Frame Bolts underneath the front of our E-Pro 19FBS camper are partly rusted and missing a nut (one on driver side and one on passenger side). The bolt on the passenger side is out of the metal frame hole it should be in, and the metal frame is slightly bent. Both bolts are at a slight angle. The other 10 Frame Bolts are not visibly rusted and there is a nut on each one but a few are loose enough to twist off by hand. The others seem tight enough but we can’t be sure without knowing what torque number they should be tightened to. We double checked the Forest River owner’s manual but there is no mention of Frame Bolts in the 'maintenance' list or anywhere else. Also, there are no lock washers on the frame bolts to prevent self-loosening. This is surprising because it seems these frame bolts are the only thing holding the body of our camper to its frame. We have owned our camper a little over 3 years and we use it 3 to 5 times a year to travel short distances, all on main roads and major highways for camping only on paved or gravel leveled lots. We have never taken the camper off road or towed a heavy load. Our frame bolts should not be so loose that two bolt nuts fell off and a few can be twisted off by hand. We are reporting this Frame Bolt failure because it is something that can cause separation of the RV box from its frame while in motion. We routinely check everything on the camper but not everyone does unless there is a reason to. Maybe what we found is not a common issue but it is worth reporting because paying special attention to Frame Bolts during production (Forest River) , at point of sale (Dealership) and as part of routine maintenance (RV Owner) could save a life. We sent an email to Forest River yesterday describing the problem and requesting they cover the cost of repair. Nobody has inspected our camper except for us because we just discovered the issue last weekend during routine camper maintenance.

NHTSA complaint #11463794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Simons Island, GA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Two of the Frame Bolts underneath the front of our E-Pro 19FBS camper are partly rusted and missing a nut (one on driver side and one on passenger side). The bolt on the passenger side is out of the metal frame hole it should be in, and the metal frame is slightly bent. Both bolts are at a slight angle. The other 10 Frame Bolts are not visibly rusted and there is a nut on each one but a few are loose enough to twist off by hand. The others seem tight enough but we can’t be sure without knowing what torque number they should be tightened to. We double checked the Forest River owner’s manual but there is no mention of Frame Bolts in the 'maintenance' list or anywhere else. Also, there are no lock washers on the frame bolts to prevent self-loosening. This is surprising because it seems these frame bolts are the only thing holding the body of our camper to its frame. We have owned our camper a little over 3 years and we use it 3 to 5 times a year to travel short distances, all on main roads and major highways for camping only on paved or gravel leveled lots. We have never taken the camper off road or towed a heavy load. Our frame bolts should not be so loose that two bolt nuts fell off and a few can be twisted off by hand. We are reporting this Frame Bolt failure because it is something that can cause separation of the RV box from its frame while in motion. We routinely check everything on the camper but not everyone does unless there is a reason to. Maybe what we found is not a common issue but it is worth reporting because paying special attention to Frame Bolts during production (Forest River) , at point of sale (Dealership) and as part of routine maintenance (RV Owner) could save a life. We sent an email to Forest River yesterday describing the problem and requesting they cover the cost of repair. Nobody has inspected our camper except for us because we just discovered the issue last weekend during routine camper maintenance.

NHTSA complaint #11463794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Myrtle Beach, SC

TIRES

The contact owns a 2019 Forest River Flagstaff Micro Lite equipped with Lionshead Tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock, Tire Size: 205/75/R14, DOT number: UJTYMT418. The contact stated that while driving 40-55 MPH, the driver's side rear tire went flat. The tire pressure monitoring system was beeping. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the tread was separating. The tire was replaced however while driving at an undisclosed speed the TPMS was beeping and the driver heard an abnormal sound. The contact pulled over and noticed that the passenger’s side rear tire was flat. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the passenger’s side front tire went flat. The manufacturer was not contacted. The tire failure mileage was approximately 700.

NHTSA complaint #11438421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Fort Mill, SC

STRUCTURE:BODY

. THE STABILIZING JACKS ARE DEFINITELY JUST FOR STABILIZING. WE THOUGHT THEY WOULD TAKE THE LOAD OF THE RV. 4 JACKS TO SUPPORT 1 RV. THE WARNING ON THE JACKS IS LOCATED ON THE TOPSIDE OF THE JACK, SO A CLUELESS, NEW RV OWNER WOULD NOT SEE THEM UNTIL THE JACKS ARE DOWN. ALSO THE DOCUMENTATION DOES NOT SAY THE JACKS ARE NOT LOAD BEARING. MY ONLY EXPERIENCE WITH A SCREW JACK IS FROM MY CAR AND CHANGING A TIRE. LONG STORY SHORT, WE BENT 2 OF THE 4 JACKS B/C WE THOUGHT THEY COULD TAKE THE RV LOAD TO LEVEL THE RV ON UN-EVEN GROUND. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT AND NO OTHER DAMAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11327695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sugar Land, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF E-PRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BIKE RACK PINS WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BIKE RACK WAS UNUSABLE AND SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RACK WOULD DETACH FROM THE TRAILER. THE TRAILER WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REQUESTED THE CONTACT TO SEND PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO RESOLUTION OF THE FAILURE AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF COMMUNICATION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THERE WAS NO MILEAGE.

NHTSA complaint #11210344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.