2018 Forest River Flagstaff problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River Flagstaff, including 1 fire. 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: 2 recalls, 4 complaints
Recall 18V475000 (18/07/2018): SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers. The inner wheel bearings may seize, which can cause the trailer wheels to lock-up.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on August 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-4053. Forest River's number for this recall is 10-0786.
Recall 17V517000 (23/08/2017): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers equipped with Dexter Axles. The spindle nut on the axles may not have been torqued to the proper specifications.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and Dexter axle dealers will inspect and replace any suspect bearings, hubs, and spindle nuts, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164 or Dexter Axle at 1-574-295-7888. Forest River's number for this recall is 10C-0496.
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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 19V084000 (08/02/2019): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers. The bunk bed door latch fasteners that secure the bunk bed door closed may fail, allowing the door to open while moving.
Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install the correct fasteners for the bunk bed door latches, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-8943. Forest River's number for this recall is 10D-0950.
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.
Other: 1 recall
Recall 17V677000 (26/10/2017): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff travel trailers. The slide room arm may contact and damage the passenger side rear tire.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a lift kit to elevate the chassis and replace any tire that has evidence of damage, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164. Forest River's number 10-0588.
Leveling and jacks: 1 recall
Recall 18V051000 (12/01/2018): EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and a Forest River or a Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack, free of charge. The recall began on February 20, 2018. Rockwood and Flagstaff Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164; XLR ToyHauler owners can call 1-574-642-0432; Viking owners can call 1-269-467-4600; Freedom Express owners can call 1-574-825-8205; Palomino owners can call 1-269-432-3246. Lippert Customer service can be reached at 1-574-538-4514 or by email at recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0610.
What a tech checks: Hydraulic leaks at the rams and fittings, low fluid, and the panel's fault codes. Electric jacks fail on voltage at the motor and stripped gears. Before you buy: Full cycle on firm ground; look for fluid on the rams.
Hydraulic leveling 3D lab · Slides and leveling lessons
Tires: 3 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
Motorhome chassis: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: The chassis (Ford, Freightliner, Mercedes, Ram) is serviced by the chassis maker's dealer, not the RV shop. RV techs handle the house, not the drivetrain. Before you buy: Chassis recalls are fixed free at the chassis maker's dealer.
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/02/2019, TIRES,WHEELS: ON 27-APR-2018 I PURCHASED A NEW FLAGSTAFF 832OKBS. THE TIRES ON THIS TRAVEL TRAILER WERE CASTLE ROCK (LIONS HEAD TIRES) ST22575R15 LOAD RANGE E 10 PLY TIRES. ON THE FIRST DAY OF A RECENT TRIP, ABOUT 28 MILES FROM HOME, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON THE TRAVEL TRAILER EXPLODED. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO ASSESS THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CONDITION OF THE TIRE AND THE DAMAGE TO THE FENDER AREA OF THE TRAILER. I INS
09/07/2019, SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,WHEELS: THE TIRES BEARINGS SEIZED AND AXLES CAUGHT FIRE AS PER NEF-150MR 18V-475SENT TO MIKE BECKER DIR CORP COMPLIANCE FOREST RIVER 2324 CENTURY DR GOSHEN IN 46528 ON AUGUST 8 2018
08/26/2018, WHEELS: CASTLE ROCK ST 205/75/R15 TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. TRAVEL TRAILER HAD VERY LITTLE DAMAGE (WEATHER GASKET PULLED OUT OF SCREW), WHICH LEADS TO THINK THE TIRE CAME APART VERY QUICKLY.
06/21/2022, TIRES: ST 205 75/R14 June 17, 2022 Towing the trailer at 45 mph, the Right tire on the trailer began to wobble then exploded. Lug nuts were confirmed to be tight after the explosion. The trailer and tires were inspected at a PA State Inspection station the week prior. Tire is being replaced. No warning lamps are associated with the travel trailer tires.
04/25/2024, TIRES: I noticed bulging of the spare tire cover mounted to the back of the travel trailer. When I removed the cover I saw that a chunk of the thread was missing and large gaps were in the thread next to it. It was a brand new tire that was never on the ground. The tire was inflated to the proper air pressure. The tire is a Castle Rock trailer tire size ST205/75 R14. ST 226.
Looking at a 2018 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.