32 of the
143 complaints filed about the Forest River Salem
are about the equipment —
22% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2022.
Fireplace within entertainment center/slide began to work only on low. Cleaned unit, had to pull access panel to access electrical outlet that fireplace was plugged into. Found a browned outlet face. Turned off circuit, pulled outlet and found a charred electrical line and back of outlet. This was probably moments from being a fire. Attempted to contact Forest River - Salem Cruise Lite division but never received any communication back.
NHTSA complaint #11731007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that when the trailer was set up at an RV park, one of the leveler jacks failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that later, water had leaked from the shower and soaked the flooring in the trailer. Additionally, the contact stated that the electrical system had failed, and there was only electricity for half of the trailer. The contact stated that later, the awning separated from the side of the trailer. The contact stated that the RV was returned to the dealer where it was purchased. The dealer repaired the RV. However, the contact stated that the awning was improperly repaired, and that the electrical system and the plumbing system had damaged the trailer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
NHTSA complaint #11663109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Forest River Salem Towables. The contact stated that when the trailer was set up at an RV park, one of the leveler jacks failed to operate as intended. The contact stated that later, water had leaked from the shower and soaked the flooring in the trailer. Additionally, the contact stated that the electrical system had failed, and there was only electricity for half of the trailer. The contact stated that later, the awning separated from the side of the trailer. The contact stated that the RV was returned to the dealer where it was purchased. The dealer repaired the RV. However, the contact stated that the awning was improperly repaired, and that the electrical system and the plumbing system had damaged the trailer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
NHTSA complaint #11663109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The tempered glass covering the interior electric fireplace exploded randomly, sending shards of glass throughout the trailer. There was no warning, and we were simply sitting in the trailer enjoying the day. The fireplace was not turned on, and there was no power to the trailer. Battery was turned off, and the temperature inside the trailer was 70 degrees. There were no weak spots, dings, chips, or any other flaw in the glass.
NHTSA complaint #11654733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Forest River Salem RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08E032000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was an ammonia leak in the cooling system. The trailer was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer of the failure, however; was unable to do so. VIN tool was unable to retrieve recall information.
NHTSA complaint #11605125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Forest River Salem RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08E032000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was an ammonia leak in the cooling system. The trailer was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer of the failure, however; was unable to do so. VIN tool was unable to retrieve recall information.
NHTSA complaint #11605125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS
The contact owns a 2004 Forest River Salem RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08E032000 (Equipment); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was an ammonia leak in the cooling system. The trailer was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer of the failure, however; was unable to do so. VIN tool was unable to retrieve recall information.
NHTSA complaint #11605125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11530735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Salem. The contact stated that the strap hooks in the trailer were screwed to the floor but not the frame; therefore, no items of substantial weight were able be strapped in the trailer which would be used for hauling large items. The contact also stated that the hooks were advertised to hold up to 2300 pounds which he deemed impossible, since the hooks were not strapped to the trailer's frame. The contact had called the manufacturer on numerous occasions and sent several emails; however, the contact had yet to receive a response. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11428729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSIDE OF THE RV THERE WAS INSULATION FROM THE METAL OUTSIDE OF THE RV TO THE WALLS, CAUSING THE METAL TO SWEAT, WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE RV. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY STRONG PROPANE ODOR INSIDE THE RV. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER OREGON WEST RV SERVICE (490 ART-LOTT LN, CRESWELL, OR 97426) AND REPORTED THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE RV WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11397521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT INSIDE OF THE RV THERE WAS INSULATION FROM THE METAL OUTSIDE OF THE RV TO THE WALLS, CAUSING THE METAL TO SWEAT, WHICH CAUSED MOLD TO DEVELOP INSIDE OF THE RV. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY STRONG PROPANE ODOR INSIDE THE RV. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER OREGON WEST RV SERVICE (490 ART-LOTT LN, CRESWELL, OR 97426) AND REPORTED THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE RV WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11397521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.