Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2021 Forest River Wildwood with NHTSA between 2021 and 2026.
The largest single group is the tires.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 6 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 — 53
Against the median year of the Forest River Wildwood. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% 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 2021 compares with every other Forest River Wildwood
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2021 Forest River Wildwood
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
428.6%
Median failure at 4,800 miles
Equipment & Accessories
321.4%
Electrical System
214.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Wheels
17.1%
Lights
17.1%
Suspension
17.1%
Body & Structure
17.1%
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.
Feb 2021peak 3Mar 2026
Recalls on the 2021 Forest River Wildwood
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 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.
Recall 202149868 units in Canada
Other
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 recall is an expansion of recall 2020-378. 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 dealer to properly secure the fresh water tank.
Recall 20204587 units in Canada
Other
Issue: On certain travel trailers, the interior cooktop burner could be affected by the operation of the furnace. This could potentially cause the burner flame to invert. Safety Risk: An inverted burner flame could create the risk of a burn injury or cause a fire. Corrective Actions: Forest River will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your trailer to a dealer to seal any panel gaps that could allow return air from the furnace to cause an inverted flame on the cooktop.
Recall 2020378220 units in Canada
Structure
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. 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 dealer to properly secure the fresh water tank.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Detroit Lakes, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My wife and I went camping to our favorite RV park in Lyndon Station Wisconsin, my sister met us there for a weekend of relaxation and visit. During the first nights stay we were suddenly woke by a smoke filled bedroom/bathroom. Got up and flipped light on and our bedroom was filled with smoke immediately my wife heard a buzzing noise and then the sound of light switch being flipped off hard. I immediately woke my sister up in the front of the coach. Opened the door to get fresh air. Its 1:18 in the morning. Searched frantically for the source, had extinguisher ready. Opened every compartment underneath, the very rear of the RV has storage underneath. The smell of burning wires were strong in that comapartment. Removed side panels in compartment and found on the left side a outlet mounted to the floor had started on fire, cause was the shower drain had leaked without knowing and water had dripped right on top of the outlet that was mounted directly underneath the drain line. The outlet was for the hot water heater, burned the outlet completely melting the outlet and the metal inside the outlet.( Have pictures of all of it) and still have the outlet. Could have been overtaken by the smoke but thank god we werent! Firealarm never went off, battery is replaced yearly. We had only owned the camper a couple of years. Called Camping World in Little Falls, MN they have gave us the run around, told us to call Forrest River no response back. Called CW again nothing but run around for over two years. Nothing, no returned calls, no letter, no satisfaction. I have fixed the problem in our RV relocated a new outlet and wiring for the hot water heater. This issue could be deadly next time to someone else, thank god it wasnt us. I am informing of this issue cause the next person that has this happen could die from this serious issue. I assure you if I didnt think this is a life or death situation I would not be contacting you.This needs to be addressed. No help from dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11721864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Detroit Lakes, MNFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My wife and I went camping to our favorite RV park in Lyndon Station Wisconsin, my sister met us there for a weekend of relaxation and visit. During the first nights stay we were suddenly woke by a smoke filled bedroom/bathroom. Got up and flipped light on and our bedroom was filled with smoke immediately my wife heard a buzzing noise and then the sound of light switch being flipped off hard. I immediately woke my sister up in the front of the coach. Opened the door to get fresh air. Its 1:18 in the morning. Searched frantically for the source, had extinguisher ready. Opened every compartment underneath, the very rear of the RV has storage underneath. The smell of burning wires were strong in that comapartment. Removed side panels in compartment and found on the left side a outlet mounted to the floor had started on fire, cause was the shower drain had leaked without knowing and water had dripped right on top of the outlet that was mounted directly underneath the drain line. The outlet was for the hot water heater, burned the outlet completely melting the outlet and the metal inside the outlet.( Have pictures of all of it) and still have the outlet. Could have been overtaken by the smoke but thank god we werent! Firealarm never went off, battery is replaced yearly. We had only owned the camper a couple of years. Called Camping World in Little Falls, MN they have gave us the run around, told us to call Forrest River no response back. Called CW again nothing but run around for over two years. Nothing, no returned calls, no letter, no satisfaction. I have fixed the problem in our RV relocated a new outlet and wiring for the hot water heater. This issue could be deadly next time to someone else, thank god it wasnt us. I am informing of this issue cause the next person that has this happen could die from this serious issue. I assure you if I didnt think this is a life or death situation I would not be contacting you.This needs to be addressed. No help from dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11721864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brockton, MA
TIRES
CASTL ROCK RADIAL ST226 235/80R16. WHILE TRAVEL AT 65 MPH THE TIRE TREAD ON THE FRONT AXLE OF MY CAMPER CAME APART AND WHIPPED AROUND. THIS WHIPPING CAUSED MULTIPLE PUNCTURE HOLES IN THE REAR TIRE CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO GO FLAT. THIS CAUSED DAMGAGE TO THE SKIRT OF THE CAMPER AND A DRAIN VALVE. THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED WITH THE CAMPER WHICH I BOUGHT NEW IN MAY OF 2021 AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES ON THE TIRES. THE TIRES ARE CHECKED MONTHY AND ARE ALWAYS INFLATED TO 80 PSI COLD. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS AND FORTUNATELY THE TIRE THAT LOST THE TREAD STAYED INFLATED SO I COULD SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE. I THEN IDLED TO THE NEXT EXIT TO UNHOOK THE TRAILER SO I COULD CHANGE THE FLAT TIRE AND THEN SLOWLY PROCEED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY YOU. THE ONE THAT FAILED, THE ONE THAT WAS PUNCUTED AND THE TWO ON THE PASSENGER WHCIH ARE INTACT. AS A PRECAUSTION I AM REPLACING ALL FOUR TIRES. I HAVE READ ON MULTIPLE FORUMS OF MULTIPLE INCIDENTS WITH THESE TIRES FOR SIMILIAR ISSUES AND THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED. FOR SAFETY REASONS. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO FOREST RIVER AND THEY STATE IN A MEIAL THERE HAVE NOT BEEN AN ISSUES AND I WILL CONTACT THE TIRE MANUFACTURE IN REGRADS TO THIS. I URGE YOU TO TAKE ALL FOUR TIRES AND DO A COMPLETE EVALUATION TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THIS FAILURE AS THERE HAVE NEEN SIMILIAR INCIDENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11615823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, UT
TIRES
Tire exploded while driving, causing loss of control. Spare tire replaced and also did the same thing. Tires had under 5,000 miles on them, tire pressures checked before trip, and tires have been stored indoors. Many people online are having the same issue with these particular tires.
NHTSA complaint #11607103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Recently, I was extending the awning on my travel trailer and it free spooled out without motor resistance. After researching this, it seems like a very common problem for the Dometic 9200 awning. (Motor part # 3316605.001) There is a design flaw in the motor where the metal drive rod is injected into a plastic gear. Over time 0-2 years this plastic piece wears out and start to spin/slip freely under load. This causes the awning to become unstable and allows it to extend at any time. This is a serious safety issue as it came out for a second time on the highway, while I was hauling it. Luckily, I saw it immediately and was able to pull over and secure it. It could have been a lot worse or caused an accident. Dometic won't talk to me, so I'm in the process of working with Forest River, as the awning was installed by them. I can buy a replacement motor, however unless the design is changed, it will just happen to others. There is a lot of similar complaints if you search for it. I have not had my trailer inspected as it is clear what is occurring. The consumer stated after a few attempts Dometic came to his house and repaired the motor and gear on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11528089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Recently, I was extending the awning on my travel trailer and it free spooled out without motor resistance. After researching this, it seems like a very common problem for the Dometic 9200 awning. (Motor part # 3316605.001) There is a design flaw in the motor where the metal drive rod is injected into a plastic gear. Over time 0-2 years this plastic piece wears out and start to spin/slip freely under load. This causes the awning to become unstable and allows it to extend at any time. This is a serious safety issue as it came out for a second time on the highway, while I was hauling it. Luckily, I saw it immediately and was able to pull over and secure it. It could have been a lot worse or caused an accident. Dometic won't talk to me, so I'm in the process of working with Forest River, as the awning was installed by them. I can buy a replacement motor, however unless the design is changed, it will just happen to others. There is a lot of similar complaints if you search for it. I have not had my trailer inspected as it is clear what is occurring. The consumer stated after a few attempts Dometic came to his house and repaired the motor and gear on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11528089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, MI
EQUIPMENT
Recently, I was extending the awning on my travel trailer and it free spooled out without motor resistance. After researching this, it seems like a very common problem for the Dometic 9200 awning. (Motor part # 3316605.001) There is a design flaw in the motor where the metal drive rod is injected into a plastic gear. Over time 0-2 years this plastic piece wears out and start to spin/slip freely under load. This causes the awning to become unstable and allows it to extend at any time. This is a serious safety issue as it came out for a second time on the highway, while I was hauling it. Luckily, I saw it immediately and was able to pull over and secure it. It could have been a lot worse or caused an accident. Dometic won't talk to me, so I'm in the process of working with Forest River, as the awning was installed by them. I can buy a replacement motor, however unless the design is changed, it will just happen to others. There is a lot of similar complaints if you search for it. I have not had my trailer inspected as it is clear what is occurring. The consumer stated after a few attempts Dometic came to his house and repaired the motor and gear on the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11528089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lyn, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
In the mid summer of 2021 I purchased a 2021 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD TRIM LEVEL 178BHSK VIN # [XXX] for a considerable amount of money., I have had nothing but problems with this trailer and now the water leak ( for a second time on a second location) has damaged the integrity of the floor structure. With mold growing, a trailer I can NEVER level and wobbles terribly and many problems. I want this trailer to be bought back. I would like to know what I need to do to have someone consider these issues as I have children and refuse to camp in a trailer with Mold , spongy floors from damage and a door that never closes no matter how flat the ground is. I would like a response as currently my trailer is in the 1000 islands RV Gan shop yet again. I have every warranty and protection on this unit and want it gone.im very upset. Please let me know how I can start this process. I have already contact the better business bureau and explained my concerns at the dealer level to management. I LIVE IN CANADA and it wont allow me to put in my proper address.. your website is difficult to navigate and nothing available for Canadian support??? INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11518851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairhope, AL
TIRES
The tire blew out. We noticed it as we were merging onto I65. It could have happened before then. As we have a tandem axel trailer, it was not catastrophic. We have owned the trailer/tires for 13-14 months and have put around 5000 miles on them via monthly trips. I still have the tire and rim. It could have caused a wreck. “No” to all other questions.
NHTSA complaint #11475113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kellyton, AL
SUSPENSION
On the morning of June 11th, while traveling along Interstate 90, west of Billings, Montana, our travel trailer had a tire disintegrate within a matter of seconds. This unexpected event was alarming and placed our family in a very dangerous situation. Fortunately, we heard the tire blow and were able to pull off onto the shoulder of the interstate immediately. We assumed this was an isolated tire incident and continued with our family trip. Then on June 20th, while traveling through Beaver, Utah and stopping for gas at a Flying J Store, our inspection of the trailer tires revealed that the rear, driver’s side trailer tire was showing signs of uneven wear – to the extent that the steel belts within the tire were visible. Fortunately, the service station had a tire service shop that was capable of inspecting the tires and suspension system. Upon further inspection it was visibly apparent that the leaf springs were overloaded. Furthermore, the springs were deflecting in a manner that was compromising the tire alignment, which likely caused the uneven wear on the rear trailer tires. We had just traveled over treacherous mountainous roads that had very little, or no room to pull off the road. If a spring had broken or tire blown on those roads, my family could have been in a very serious and life-threatening situation. It also concerned me that we could have been sitting on the side of Interstate 15, in a remote area and over 2000 miles away from home. After further inspection we found that the axles which are rated for 3500 lbs per axle are on a travel trailer that is rated to be able to handle almost 8000 lbs. This seems to mean the axles are overloaded from the factory. I believe this is a safety issue not just for my family, but every family that uses this type of unit. I need to add that we took every precaution to not be overloaded, and we still had issues.
NHTSA complaint #11473813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,800 milesJoppa, MD
TIRES
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Wildwood Travel Trailer equipped with Castle Rock tires, Tire Line: ST226 Radial, Tire Size: 205/75/R14, DOT Number: JUJTYMT2920. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's side rear tire had tread separation. The contact was able to pull over and replace the driver's side rear tire with the spare tire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,800.
NHTSA complaint #11472886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulf Shores, AL
WHEELS
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Wildwood trailer. The contact stated that multiple failures had occurred with the trailer upon purchase. First, he stated that the front strip exterior light located in the front of the trailer would not turn off while driving or while turned off. He also mentioned that the water pump would bypass the check valve and fill up the water tank; due to the failure, the water tank would overflow, and water would then leak out of the trailer. The contact also stated that the plastic fenders over each of the tires on the trailer had begun to crack. The manufacturer had been notified about the multiple failures on numerous occasions; however, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11442855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulf Shores, AL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Wildwood trailer. The contact stated that multiple failures had occurred with the trailer upon purchase. First, he stated that the front strip exterior light located in the front of the trailer would not turn off while driving or while turned off. He also mentioned that the water pump would bypass the check valve and fill up the water tank; due to the failure, the water tank would overflow, and water would then leak out of the trailer. The contact also stated that the plastic fenders over each of the tires on the trailer had begun to crack. The manufacturer had been notified about the multiple failures on numerous occasions; however, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11442855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulf Shores, AL
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2021 Forest River Wildwood trailer. The contact stated that multiple failures had occurred with the trailer upon purchase. First, he stated that the front strip exterior light located in the front of the trailer would not turn off while driving or while turned off. He also mentioned that the water pump would bypass the check valve and fill up the water tank; due to the failure, the water tank would overflow, and water would then leak out of the trailer. The contact also stated that the plastic fenders over each of the tires on the trailer had begun to crack. The manufacturer had been notified about the multiple failures on numerous occasions; however, the contact had yet to hear back from the manufacturer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11442855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfield, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS INCORRECT WIRING IN BREAKER BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER CAMPERS RV CENTER (7700 W 70TH ST, SHREVEPORT, LA 71129, (318) 938-5441) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE BREAKER BOX TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11395814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.