2016 Forest River Forester problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 3 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file for the 2016 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.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 2 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 18V444000 (03/07/2018): VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016 Forest River Forester, 2014-2016 Forest River Sunseeker and Coachmen Leprechaun, 2014 Coachmen Concord, and 2014-2017 Coachmen Freelander vehicles, built on Chevrolet chassis and equipped with power windows. Liquid may leak into the driver's power window switch and cause corrosion, resulting in high electrical resistance.
Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and Chevrolet dealers will replace the driver side window switch, free of charge. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Forest River Forester and Sunseeker at 1-574-206-7600, Coachmen Concord, Freelander, and Leprechaun customer service at 1-574-825-8602. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0781.
Recall 16V465000 (27/06/2016): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Forester motorhomes manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 25, 2016, Sunseeker motorhomes manufactured April 4, 2014, to May 25, 2016, 2015-2016 Solera motorhomes manufactured February 28, 2014, to September 17, 2015, and 2016 Isata motorhomes manufactured October 30, 2015, to May 26, 2016. Water may leak into the electrical module that controls the vehicle taillights, brake lights, turn signal lights, clearance lights and marker lights, making the lights inoperative. 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 dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on August 16, 2016. The recall began on December 8, 2016. Forester, Solera, and Sunseeker owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Isata customers should call 1-574-262-3474. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-06012016-0206.
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 16V336000 (23/05/2016): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Forester and Sunseeker recreational vehicles manufactured from February 29, 2016, through April 20, 2016. These vehicles are equipped with a shower door that may not meet the flammability standards. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shower doors, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 34-05052016-0184.
Structure, roof and leaks: 3 complaints
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
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 complaints
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
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 2 complaints
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
10/24/2016, STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR HOME AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BEEP WHICH INDICATED THAT THE JACKS ON THE MOTORHOME WERE LOWERING DOWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER AND LIFT THE JACKS BACK UP. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE JACKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T
10/17/2017, STRUCTURE: WHITE PLASTIC COMPONENT FELL OUT OF THE RV COACH ENTRY DOOR LOCK MECHANISM CAUSING DOOR LOCK TO JAM. MOST OF THE LOCK MECHANISMS ARE METAL BUT THIS SMALL PIECE IS PLASTIC AND THERE IS NO MECHANISM TO KEEP IT FROM FALLING OUT. AFTER I RE-INSERTED IT AND OPERATED THE MECHANISM A FEW MORE TIMES, IT FELL OUT AGAIN. I WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE LOCK MECHANISM AT COST OF $125.
06/08/2018, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING: LOST ALL TAIL LIGHTS 4 HAS BEEN FIX OR AND RECALL DONE 2 TIMES. NOW RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT DOES NOT WORK FOR TURN OR BRAKE AND IT BEEN IN A SHOP FOR A MONTH NO ONE KNOWS WHY
05/12/2022, STRUCTURE: The Maxxair fan is a component that sits on the roof of the RV. Looking at the install instructions, the unit is installed by attaching the flange to the roof. What failed was that the 'top' portion of the fan, where the motor and and the cover attachments are, flew off at speed, on the highway. Fortunately, I pulled over right away, and found the unit still attached by the power wires. The safety issue would b
04/17/2021, SERVICE BRAKES: THE BRAKES ARE NOT GOOD. YOU HAVE TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THEM TO WORK. I JUST HAD TO STOP TO PREVENT HITTING SOMEONE IN THE REAR. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO PUMP BRAKE. I LITERALLY HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE FLOOR TO STOP. THIS WAS REPORTED TO YOU PREVIOUSLY AND WE NEVER HEARD A THING!,
04/17/2019, SERVICE BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RV PRESENTED THE FAILURE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO FIELDS MOTORCARS (4141 N FLORIDA AVE, LAKELAND, FL 33805) WH
Looking at a 2016 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.