2018 Forest River FR3 problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River FR3. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 18V234000 (12/04/2018): STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Forest River FR3 and Georgetown recreational vehicles. The entry door latch may not engage fully, allowing the door to open unexpectedly while moving.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install shims between the entry door frame and the wall frame, two additional screws will be added through the entry door frame to secure the door frame to the sidewall frame and will verify that the entry door latch pawl is properly contacting the striker bolt, if required the dealer will adjust the striker bolt, at no charge to the owner. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-0700.
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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 18V768000 (31/10/2018): VISIBILITY
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forest River Georgetown and FR3 motorhomes, 2018-2019 Berkshire motorhomes and 2018 Charleston motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7605. Forest River's number for the recall is 68-0822.
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: 2 complaints
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 complaint
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: 1 complaint
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
10/12/2021, STRUCTURE: The vehicle sidewall has separated from the frame. Approx 4 feet of the passenger frontside, from the front to the door. This has caused a gap between the floorboard and sidewall. It has also caused the entrance steps to move out of alignment. While driving down a highway, we heard two loud pops. Upon arriving at our campsite, we noticed the damage to the motorhome. An online search revealed this to be a common pro
08/30/2020, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: FRONT ENTRY DOOR LOCK FAILED AND IT COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. LOCK HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE DOOR TO OPEN. VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I HAD TO EXIT FROM THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW. NO ISSUES WITH THE DOOR PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.*DT*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL.*JB
08/19/2017, SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: OVERHANG TOO MUCH FOR SUSPENSION AND SHOCKS PLACED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT WHEN NOT LOADED, OR PULLING ANYTHING, WHEN UTILIZING COMMON SIMPLE DRIVEWAYS (COMMON ANGLES FOUND IN HOMES, SHOPPING CENTERS AND RELATED). THE DEFECT CAUSES THE HITCH TO BE DRAGGED CAUSING SPARKS AND IT DAMAGES THE SEVEN WAY PLUG AND HOUSING RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE BOTTOMING OUT IMPACTS THE FRAME CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE SUSP
Looking at a 2018 Forest River FR3?
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.