Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2022 Forest River Salem with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026.
The largest single group is the equipment & accessories.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 70
Against the median year of the Forest River Salem. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% 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 2022 compares with every other Forest River Salem
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2022 Forest River Salem
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
939.1%
Median failure at 2,000 miles
Electrical System
417.4%
Other & Unspecified
313.0%
Body & Structure
313.0%
Tires
28.7%
Wheels
14.3%
Suspension
14.3%
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.
Oct 2021peak 4Jul 2026
Recalls on the 2022 Forest River Salem
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 20255453,889 units in Canada
Electrical
Issue: On certain RV trailers, the 12 V wiring for the distribution panel may not have been installed properly. As a result, the wiring may not have proper circuit protection. If this happens, the wiring could overheat and melt before the circuit breaker trips. Safety Risk: Wiring that overheats and melts could create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, Forest River advises you not to plug in the RV trailer until the recall repairs have been completed. Forest River will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your RV trailer to a dealership to correct the wiring.
Recall 2022556364 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain travel trailers, the fresh water tank may not be secured properly. As a result, the tank could fall from the frame and detach from the trailer. Note: This is an expansion of recalls 2020-378 and 2021-498. Safety Risk: A water tank that falls on the road could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Forest River will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your trailer to a dealership to properly secure the fresh water tank.
Recall 202241925 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain RV trailers, the patio awning may not be properly installed. As a result, the awning could detach and fall from the trailer. Safety Risk: An awning that falls from the trailer could create a risk of injury. An awning that falls from a moving vehicle could create road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Forest River will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your trailer to a dealer to inspect, and if necessary, properly attach the awning to the trailer.
Recall 20223686,198 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain RV trailers and motorhomes, the fabric for the patio awning may not be properly attached. As a result, the awning could detach and fall from the vehicle. Safety Risk: An awning that falls from the vehicle could create a risk of injury. An awning that falls from a moving vehicle could create road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Forest River will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect the fabric roll on the awning. It will be repaired or replaced, as necessary.
Recall 20221819,716 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain RV trailers and motorhomes, the quick disconnect fittings for the propane (LP) gas system may be defective. As a result, the fittings could crack and leak propane. Safety Risk: A propane gas leak could create the risk of a fire or explosion. Corrective Actions: Forest River will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your RV trailer or motorhome to a dealership to replace the quick disconnect fittings on the propane system and perform a leak test.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Bakersfield, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem RV. The contact stated that shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the power cord connecting the RV to the shore power outlet only powered a selected number of items, including the microwave. The contact stated that the battery system was unable to maintain power to the refrigerator or the freezer. Additionally, while attempting to disconnect or turn off the battery power to the refrigerator, the television shut off, despite being on a separate circuit. Upon further inspection, the contact discovered that the labels and markings on the fuse box were incorrect. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11750857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, NC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturer’s owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSA’s system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of service for an extended period and is currently unusable. Request: Investigation into failure to remedy a safety recall within a reasonable time, potential reporting discrepancies regarding recall status, and the sale of a vehicle with an open safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11727803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturer’s owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSA’s system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of service for an extended period and is currently unusable. Request: Investigation into failure to remedy a safety recall within a reasonable time, potential reporting discrepancies regarding recall status, and the sale of a vehicle with an open safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11727803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Burlington, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a 2022 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite travel trailer, purchased July 21, 2022. At the time of sale, the unit had an open federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-243) involving a fire/explosion hazard. The recall was not remedied prior to sale. The vehicle was presented for service multiple times, and the recall was not identified or addressed until May 2025. At that time, the manufacturer directed that the recall repair be completed; however, the issue has not been resolved. The manufacturer’s owner portal continues to show the recall as open, despite NHTSA’s system not showing an unrepaired recall for this VIN. The vehicle has been out of service for an extended period and is currently unusable. Request: Investigation into failure to remedy a safety recall within a reasonable time, potential reporting discrepancies regarding recall status, and the sale of a vehicle with an open safety recall.
NHTSA complaint #11727803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holly Hill, FL
TIRES
Tire size: 225/75/R15 We were getting on the highway, but didn't even make it off of the on ramp after having just visually inspecting and checking the tire pressure prior. On the way to where we were leaving we actually had another one of these castle rock tires blow out, so we were planning to stop and get four new tires as there was obviously even less milage on the castle rocks when the first blow out occurred, but didn't we make it that far. Both blow outs caused considerable damage to the unit and there was no apparent cause for them happening.
NHTSA complaint #11548559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
WHEELS
Front window just cracked like a flaw in the manufacture process nothing struck it. Axles are really close together like one maybe put on backwards. I have photos but won’t let me upload
NHTSA complaint #11539170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
SUSPENSION
Front window just cracked like a flaw in the manufacture process nothing struck it. Axles are really close together like one maybe put on backwards. I have photos but won’t let me upload
NHTSA complaint #11539170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nampa, ID
STRUCTURE:BODY
Front window just cracked like a flaw in the manufacture process nothing struck it. Axles are really close together like one maybe put on backwards. I have photos but won’t let me upload
NHTSA complaint #11539170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holly Hill, FL
TIRES
225/75/15
NHTSA complaint #11514113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newberry, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The fresh water and waste water holding tanks are not sufficiently supported in the trailer. We have had the black water tank replaced by the dealer because it shifted and fell out of the supports. The fresh water tank is now also showing signs of "sagging" where is should be supported. When inspecting the issue, it was noted that the tanks are only held in place by two support rails running between the main frame, much like a ladder rack or bed frame. The tanks are inserts between these rails and supported by a 2 inch lip on either side of the tank with no central support across the 7 foot span of the tank. This leaves a significant portion of the tank unsupported and subject to bouncing or shifting under normal travel down the highway. The tanks are designed to hold 30 gallons of water in this manner. Forest River has acknowledged that there was a safety recall for this issue on previous year's models but has denied any issue with my particular model year. They have advised that I should simply run a support between the front and back support bars to lift the center of the tank, as this is what they did with the recall previously.
NHTSA complaint #11499039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Payson, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FOREST RIVER SALEM LITE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CANOPY COVER DOES NOT COVER THE STEPS.
NHTSA complaint #11494403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Payson, AZ
EQUIPMENT
FOREST RIVER SALEM LITE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CANOPY COVER DOES NOT COVER THE STEPS.
NHTSA complaint #11494403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mexico, NY
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Laminated Towables Trailer equipped with a Furrion oven, Model Number: F1S17L03A-BL. The contact stated that the stove was leaking gas and failed to ignite as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the regulator control valve was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11491615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Campbell, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that while she was in the RV, she saw smoke. The contact inspected the fuse box and noticed that the fuse box wiring had melted. The wall behind the fuse box was burned and the electrical cord connected to the outside of the RV had also melted; however, the fire alarm failed to alert of the danger. The RV was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer sent photos of the failure to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The RV was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11488090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Campbell, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that while she was in the RV, she saw smoke. The contact inspected the fuse box and noticed that the fuse box wiring had melted. The wall behind the fuse box was burned and the electrical cord connected to the outside of the RV had also melted; however, the fire alarm failed to alert of the danger. The RV was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer sent photos of the failure to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The RV was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11488090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that while she was in the RV, she saw smoke. The contact inspected the fuse box and noticed that the fuse box wiring had melted. The wall behind the fuse box was burned and the electrical cord connected to the outside of the RV had also melted; however, the fire alarm failed to alert of the danger. The RV was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that they were unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer sent photos of the failure to the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The RV was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11488090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Hill, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
I have a 2022 Salem FSX170SS. While traveling on our first trip with this vehicle, the fresh water tank fell out of the trailer and dragged on the pavement. I was fortunately traveling through a construction area at low speed and damage was limited to the loss of the tank and underbelly. This same model had a safety recall in 2021 for the very same problem. The remedial action was for the dealer to verify and if necessary correct any installation defects e.g. poorly fitting tank. A cursory examination of the unit quickly revealed that the design is minimal and has near-zero redundancy in the event of a minor installation issue. The weakness presents a clear danger to human injury and death. The fact that I had this problem in 2022 would seem to make it clear that the company's response to this issue is woefully inadequate. I have reported this incident to Transport Canada and there is an open file. An inspector has been to my home to assess the trailer. Because I am not a US resident, I was unable to submit the form (it requires a US address). I therefore used the address of a friend. My actual address is 654 Glen Cedar Cr., Innisfil Ontario Canada L9S2J5.
NHTSA complaint #11482876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Hill, GA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
I have a 2022 Salem FSX170SS. While traveling on our first trip with this vehicle, the fresh water tank fell out of the trailer and dragged on the pavement. I was fortunately traveling through a construction area at low speed and damage was limited to the loss of the tank and underbelly. This same model had a safety recall in 2021 for the very same problem. The remedial action was for the dealer to verify and if necessary correct any installation defects e.g. poorly fitting tank. A cursory examination of the unit quickly revealed that the design is minimal and has near-zero redundancy in the event of a minor installation issue. The weakness presents a clear danger to human injury and death. The fact that I had this problem in 2022 would seem to make it clear that the company's response to this issue is woefully inadequate. I have reported this incident to Transport Canada and there is an open file. An inspector has been to my home to assess the trailer. Because I am not a US resident, I was unable to submit the form (it requires a US address). I therefore used the address of a friend. My actual address is 654 Glen Cedar Cr., Innisfil Ontario Canada L9S2J5.
NHTSA complaint #11482876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Hill, GA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:POTABLE WATER:STORAGE TANK
I have a 2022 Salem FSX170SS. While traveling on our first trip with this vehicle, the fresh water tank fell out of the trailer and dragged on the pavement. I was fortunately traveling through a construction area at low speed and damage was limited to the loss of the tank and underbelly. This same model had a safety recall in 2021 for the very same problem. The remedial action was for the dealer to verify and if necessary correct any installation defects e.g. poorly fitting tank. A cursory examination of the unit quickly revealed that the design is minimal and has near-zero redundancy in the event of a minor installation issue. The weakness presents a clear danger to human injury and death. The fact that I had this problem in 2022 would seem to make it clear that the company's response to this issue is woefully inadequate. I have reported this incident to Transport Canada and there is an open file. An inspector has been to my home to assess the trailer. Because I am not a US resident, I was unable to submit the form (it requires a US address). I therefore used the address of a friend. My actual address is 654 Glen Cedar Cr., Innisfil Ontario Canada L9S2J5.
NHTSA complaint #11482876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tallahassee, FL
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
The tongue jack provided by the manufacturer/original dealer on my unit broke within 24 hours of me bringing the unit home. At the time it broke I was already connected to the hitch but it was no longer able to lift up RV off my truck without using a separate jack. Problem was confirmed, inspected, and replaced by a separate electric tongue jack by a separate Camping World facility other than original Camping World dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11467131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The tongue jack provided by the manufacturer/original dealer on my unit broke within 24 hours of me bringing the unit home. At the time it broke I was already connected to the hitch but it was no longer able to lift up RV off my truck without using a separate jack. Problem was confirmed, inspected, and replaced by a separate electric tongue jack by a separate Camping World facility other than original Camping World dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11467131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesSnohomish, WA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Trailer equipped with a Tongue Jack. The contact stated as he was cranking on the tongue jack, the jack failed and dropped 9 inches, causing the front of the trailer to collapse as well. The contact stated that the name of the manufacturer of the tongue jack was not available. Additionally, the model name and serial number were also not available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that he replaced the defective tongue jack with a new tongue jack that he purchased from the store. The tongue jack was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #11437393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesSnohomish, WA
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2022 Forest River Salem Trailer equipped with a Tongue Jack. The contact stated as he was cranking on the tongue jack, the jack failed and dropped 9 inches, causing the front of the trailer to collapse as well. The contact stated that the name of the manufacturer of the tongue jack was not available. Additionally, the model name and serial number were also not available. The dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that he replaced the defective tongue jack with a new tongue jack that he purchased from the store. The tongue jack was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #11437393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.