2012 Forest River Georgetown problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 3 recalls and 9 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Forest River Georgetown, 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.
Other: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 15V798000 (25/11/2015): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014 FR3, 2009 Forest River Encore, Sportscoach Elite, and Aurora, 2008-2009 Cruise Master, 2012-2015 Aviator, 2007-2014 Georgetown, 2007-2009 Legend, 2008-2012 Ridgeview, 2008-2014 Cross Country, 2010-2014 Coachmen Encounter, 2009-2014 Pathfinder, Solera, Mirada, Prism, and Pursuit motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. Forest River issued an interim notification to owners on January 7, 2016. The recall began on March 3, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service number at 1-574-389-4600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102015-0109. Or owners can contact Lippert Components at 1-574-537-8900.
Motorhome chassis: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 12V200000 (08/05/2012): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 GEORGETOWN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A FORD STRIPPED CHASSIS, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 15, 2010, THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2011. THE GEAR SHIFTERS CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE GEAR DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.
Fix: FOREST RIVER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. FOREST RIVER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-295-8749.
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.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 24V913000 (06/12/2024): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2009-2017 Georgetown Class A motorhomes. The amber turn signal lens has an undersized reflective surface. 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: Dealers will replace the turn signal, and bulb, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 11, 2025. Owners may call Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 68-1875.
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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 3 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: 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
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
12/15/2015, SERVICE BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING MY BRAKES FIRST APPEARED SOFT, THEN I RECEIVED A LOW BRAKE FLUID WARNING. AFTER ADDING BRAKE FLUID, THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN ABOUT 20 MILES. TOOK THE UNIT TO A MECHANIC WHO FOUND THERE WAS A SMALL HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE DUE TO CORROSION (FROM THE OUTSIDE - IN) RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED IN MULTIPLE PLACES, IT WAS A MIRACLE A DISASTER DID NOT HAPPEN WITH
12/05/2018, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM: WE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AFTER DRIVING THE RV. UPON INSPECTION, WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, WE FOUND A FUEL LEAK (DRIP) IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. THE UNIT IS IN FOR REPAIRS NOW AND THE MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL RETURN LINE IS CORRODED FROM THE OUTSIDE IN. ONCE REPAIRS ARE COMPLETE I WILL HAVE THE DEFECTIVE PART FOR EVIDENCE. THIS RV HAS ALSO HAD TWO BRAKE LINE FAILURES, ONE IN 2015 AND ONE IN 2018, ALL DUE TO THE LINES
12/05/2018, SERVICE BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING MY RV I COMPLETELY LOST ALL BRAKING POWER, WHEN I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. THANKFULLY I WAS ON A FLAT ROAD AND KNEW HOW TO DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL I COULD STOP AT A SAFE PLACE. WHEN I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID THE CONTAINER WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY, AND I NEVER RECEIVED A LOW BRAKE FLUID INDICATOR LIGHT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME A BRAKE LINE HAS CORRODED FROM THE OUTSIDE IN - THE OTHER
12/01/2016, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FOREST RIVER GEORGETOWN WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RV. THE SMOKE DISSIPATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CIRCUIT BOARD NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MI
10/17/2013, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: 2012 GEORGETOWN 378 F MOTORHOME MANUFACTURED BY FORREST RIVER. RV GENERATOR EXHAUST LEAKING INTO CABIN OF RV AND MAKING OCCUPANTS SICK. CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS RINGING WHENEVER GENERATOR WAS TURNED ON. SLIDEOUTS ON RV DO NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND ARE ALLOWING VEHICLE EXHAUST INTO THE CABIN OF THE RV MAKING OCCUPANTS SICK. *TR
08/26/2021, SUSPENSION: The sidewall on the passenger side broke free from the frame. Inadequate screws were used to fasten the sidewall to the frame and they were sheared off. This resulted in a gap between the floor and sidewall, with the pavement evident below, while travelling at 60 mph down the highway. The floor appears to be dropping. I believe this to be an engineering design flaw. Of note, this happened suddenly with no warning
Looking at a 2012 Forest River Georgetown?
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.