2021 Forest River Berkshire problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 8 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Forest River Berkshire. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 3 recalls
Recall 21V691000 (03/09/2021): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Berkshire recreational vehicles. These vehicles may have been manufactured with unsealed 5-AMP and 20-AMP mini-breakers, which could cause a spark in the battery compartment.
Fix: Dealers will install sealed mini-breakers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-1368. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-1414.
Recall 20V540000 (04/09/2020): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INVERTER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest) is recalling certain 2021 Berkshire BEA40C-380, BEA40E-380, BEA45A-450, and BEA45CA-450 motorhomes equipped with 3000W inverters. These inverters supply too much current to the 10 gauge Romex wire.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 3000W inverter with a 2800W inverter, free of charge. The recall began September 24, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-754-533-5934. Forest's number for this recall is 40-1225.
Recall 22V381000 (27/05/2022): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Berkshire motorhomes. An incorrect circuit breaker was installed in the vehicle's house distribution subpanel, which prohibits the internal spring retention mechanism from properly contacting the subpanel.
Fix: Dealers will install the correct breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-522-1368. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-1516.
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
Other: 2 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 21V523000 (09/07/2021): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.
Recall 23V014000 (20/01/2023): EQUIPMENT
Forest River Bus, LLC (Forest River Bus) is recalling certain 2021 Berkshire Coach Ultra UL1952 coaches. The retractable awning may extend unintentionally during transit.
Fix: Dealers will install additional support for the internal components of the gearbox housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River Bus customer service at 1-800-348-7440 or Carefree of Colorado Customer Service Phone Number 1-303-469-3324. Forest River Bus' number for this recall is 42-1594.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall
Recall 21V219000 (29/03/2021): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Berkshire Class A motorhomes. The brake lights may not adequately reflect light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and will provide a Reflex Reflector for the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-1368. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-1315.
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
Tires: 1 recall
Recall 20V562000 (17/09/2020): TIRES:VALVE
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Coachmen Sportscoach and Forest River Legacy and 2018-2021 Berkshire motorhomes built on a Daimler Trucks (DTNA) chassis. The tire valve stem extension for the inner wheel may come in contact with the outer wheel rim opening and become damaged.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and DTNA will inspect the inner wheel valve stem stabilizers, or replace as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 24, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-547-0712 or DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1228. DTNA's number for this recall is FL-861.
What a tech checks: Age, load range and pressure. RV tires age out before they wear out, and an underrated tire on a heavy trailer is a blowout waiting to happen. Before you buy: Read the DOT date and the load range on the sidewall.
Chassis, towing and tires lessons · Trailer guide
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 20V727000 (23/11/2020): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.
What a tech checks: Regulator, lines and fittings, then the appliances: furnace, water heater, range. A proper pressure-drop leak test is the first thing a tech does on an LP complaint. Before you buy: Smell for gas with the tank open; have a shop do the leak test.
LP and furnace lessons · Furnace guide · Furnace 3D lab · Water heater 3D lab
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 2 complaints
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
What owners reported to NHTSA
03/22/2021, BACK OVER PREVENTION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA WAS INOPERABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CAMERAS HAD BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTORHOME TO LAZY DAYS RV (6130 LAZY DAYS BLVD, SEFFNER, FL 33584, (800)626-7800) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE
02/08/2022, EXTERIOR LIGHTING: headlights, headlight switch, lights dont work, no night time driving no day time running lights. these lights are from a audi A5 and no longer available, changed bulbs, no help
01/01/2022, EXTERIOR LIGHTING: The headlights on my early 2021 Berkshire XL 37A motorhome are not safe to drive at night, the headlights do not provide ANY help in seeing the road at night, in many consumer complaints the same issue is addressed. Forest river corp, is NO HELP they are in denile of any issues, but yet have had many many complaints. I am very affraid of getting in a accident if i have to drive at night, they really dont work and its
Looking at a 2021 Forest River Berkshire?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.