2013 Forest River Flagstaff problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Forest River Flagstaff. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 13V554000 (07/11/2013): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.
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
Other: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 13V203000 (17/05/2013): EQUIPMENT
Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Tires: 2 complaints
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
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
09/05/2018, WHEELS: TOWING TRAILER ON HIGHWAY. SPEED WAS 60 MPH. TRAILER HAS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SWAYING. PULLED OF HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE TIRES TO FIND FOOTBALL SIZED BUBBLE IN ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES. THE TIRES ARE KENDA KARRIER LOAD STAR ST205/75R14
09/04/2013, TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAG STAFF FIFTH WHEEL WITH LIONS HEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES (N/A), SIZE:225-75-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVA
09/03/2013, SUSPENSION,EQUIPMENT: ON 6/19/13 WE LEFT FROM BURLINGTON, WI - CLINTON, NY WITH OUR TRAILER. ON OUR DRIVE BACK TO WI, WE HAD STOPPED AT A TRUCK STOP IN INDIANA AROUND 10:30 PM ON 6/28 TO GET FUEL & SNACKS FROM THE TRAILER. ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME WE REALIZED THAT THE OUTSIDE LATCH DOOR THAT COVERED THE OUTDOOR REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR ITSELF HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, & BOTH SETS OF STEPS WERE BENT BY THE DOORS COMIN
07/13/2015, EQUIPMENT: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZING JACK FAILED AND ONLY CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. MA 10/16/15
06/15/2014, STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: AXLE IS TOO CLOSE TO TRAILER BODY CAUSING TIRE RUB AND ALSO DAMAGE TO BODY OF TRAILER. *JS
02/27/2017, SUSPENSION,TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT AND IT WAS UNKNOWN ON THE TIRE FAILURE LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK AFTER THE SPARE WAS INSTALLED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V554000 (SUSPENSION, TIRES) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL AND THEY WOULD NEED TO USE THEIR INSUR
Looking at a 2013 Forest River Flagstaff?
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.