2014 Forest River Forester problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 3 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Forest River Forester. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Other: 2 recalls, 2 complaints
Recall 14V449000 (23/07/2014): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Georgetown, Sunseeker, Forester, Cross Country, Pathfinder, Cardinal, Blue Ridge, Cedar Creek, and Brookstone recreational vehicles manufactured March 11, 2013, through April 26, 2013 and equipped with certain Frigidaire Convection Microwave models CFMV152CLB and CFMV154CLS. The microwave may start on it's own and begin heating when unattended.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the membrane/keypad component, free of charge. The recall began in February 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383.
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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 13V251000 (18/06/2013): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014 Sunseeker, Forester, Lexington, and Solera motorhomes manufactured between April 1, 2013, through May 21, 2013. The battery isolation manager (BIM) can develop a short circuit.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and will replace the BIM. The recall is expected to begin during July 2013. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-206-7600.
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
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
12/18/2013, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER FORESTER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TERMINALS THAT WERE CONNECTED TO THE TWO HIGH AMPERAGE STORAGE BATTERIES WERE LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES FROM THE FUEL CONTAINER (PROPANE). THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE IMPACT COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION IF THE HIGH AMPERAGE TERMINAL MADE CONTACT WITH THE FUEL CONTAINER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT
04/09/2021, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: MY MOTORHOME IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 51,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETRE , AND HAS A FULL SLIDE THAT HAS SUNKEN, DESTROYED THE COACH WALLS AND BROKEN THE FORD CHASSIS / FRAME IN 3 PLACES. I HAVE VIDEOS.& AN RV DEALERSHIP 'DESIGN FLAW' THE SLIDE IS UNUSABLE & I AM TOLD IN THE REPORT UNREPAIRABLE FOREST RIVER ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY
03/06/2019, ENGINE: ENGINE OIL WAS CONSUMED VERY QUICK, NORMALLY IT SHOULD BE 6 MONTHS TO DO OIL CHANGE, BUT FOR MY CAR IT IS ONLY 3 MONTHS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE WAS DONE,.THE OIL LEVEL IS VERY LOW
Looking at a 2014 Forest River Forester?
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.