2021 Forest River Impression problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 3 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Forest River Impression, 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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall, 2 complaints
Recall 24V847000 (08/11/2024): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Fix: Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 21V903000 (19/11/2021): EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Impression Fifth Wheel Recreational Vehicles. The center identification light on the rear of the vehicle was incorrectly installed at a higher position than the other lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Fix: Dealers will reposition the center top lamp, and a reflector will be installed in place of the center lamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service Phone Number 1-574-296-2084. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1441.
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.
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 22V243000 (13/04/2022): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
Fix: Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
What a tech checks: Regulator, lines and fittings, then the appliances: furnace, water heater, range. A proper pressure-drop leak test is the first thing a tech does on an LP complaint. Before you buy: Smell for gas with the tank open; have a shop do the leak test.
LP and furnace lessons · Furnace guide · Furnace 3D lab · Water heater 3D lab
Other: 2 complaints
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/19/2021, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Electrical wires melted and burnt in the unit less than 6 months after purchase. We were stopped at a stoplight when the truck alerted us to a trail service error. Upon investigation, it was found that multiple wires were burnt and melted throughout the camper box and around the battery.
10/19/2022, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: During our travels, the refrigerator popped out of it place breaking all the trim work around it. It and the trim work landed in close proximity to the kitchen island. I question as to how the refrigerator was secured in place to begin with. Apparently there is nothing, similar to what a kitchen stove has to keep it from tipping over. I don't believe, although our interstates are in terrible condition, that normal dr
05/21/2024, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: While driving down the highway, the electric Solera awning opened on its own. This caused the arms to partially rip off the side walls of the 5th wheel, the fabric to rip, and the awning tube to come off, falling in traffic on the four lane highway. There was nothing near the wall mounted switch inside, and the battery was turned off, so there was no power to the awning.
02/02/2025, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: On [XXX], while driving home from camping, I received a message on my truck dash, “CHECK WIRES”. I checked the fifth wheel hitch, the seven-way cable, walked around the RV, did not see a problem. A RV restoration company [RVRC], was sent to my home by an insurance agent to repair the power awning on my 2021 Forest River Impression 290VB, VIN: [XXX] , 1) While working on the power awning, the [RVRC] discovered a m
Looking at a 2021 Forest River Impression?
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.