2018 Forest River Rockwood problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 6 recalls and 10 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River Rockwood. 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
Recall 18V527000 (13/08/2018): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Work and Play and Adrenaline recreational trailers, 2018-2019 Forest River Forester and XLR recreational trailers and 2018 Forest River Rockwood recreational trailers. The awning may deploy while moving.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the awning controller, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2018. Owners may contact Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-6302, Forester customer service at 1-574-206-7600, Rockwood customer service at 1-574-642-4053, XLR Toyhauler customer service at 1-574-642-0432, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-538-4514 or recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0715.
Recall 17V677000 (26/10/2017): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff travel trailers. The slide room arm may contact and damage the passenger side rear tire.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a lift kit to elevate the chassis and replace any tire that has evidence of damage, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164. Forest River's number 10-0588.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 recalls
Recall 18V475000 (18/07/2018): SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Forest River Rockwood and Flagstaff trailers. The inner wheel bearings may seize, which can cause the trailer wheels to lock-up.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inner wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on August 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-4053. Forest River's number for this recall is 10-0786.
Recall 17V517000 (23/08/2017): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers equipped with Dexter Axles. The spindle nut on the axles may not have been torqued to the proper specifications.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and Dexter axle dealers will inspect and replace any suspect bearings, hubs, and spindle nuts, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164 or Dexter Axle at 1-574-295-7888. Forest River's number for this recall is 10C-0496.
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
Structure, roof and leaks: 6 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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 19V084000 (08/02/2019): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers. The bunk bed door latch fasteners that secure the bunk bed door closed may fail, allowing the door to open while moving.
Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install the correct fasteners for the bunk bed door latches, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-8943. Forest River's number for this recall is 10D-0950.
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.
Leveling and jacks: 1 recall
Recall 18V051000 (12/01/2018): EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:INTEGRATED JACK/LEVELER/STABILIZER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and a Forest River or a Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack, free of charge. The recall began on February 20, 2018. Rockwood and Flagstaff Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164; XLR ToyHauler owners can call 1-574-642-0432; Viking owners can call 1-269-467-4600; Freedom Express owners can call 1-574-825-8205; Palomino owners can call 1-269-432-3246. Lippert Customer service can be reached at 1-574-538-4514 or by email at recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0610.
What a tech checks: Hydraulic leaks at the rams and fittings, low fluid, and the panel's fault codes. Electric jacks fail on voltage at the motor and stripped gears. Before you buy: Full cycle on firm ground; look for fluid on the rams.
Hydraulic leveling 3D lab · Slides and leveling lessons
Tires: 4 complaints
What a tech checks: Age, load range and pressure. RV tires age out before they wear out, and an underrated tire on a heavy trailer is a blowout waiting to happen. Before you buy: Read the DOT date and the load range on the sidewall.
Chassis, towing and tires lessons · Trailer guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
10/20/2025, STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Rockwood. The contact stated that the RV appeared to be leaning toward the right side over the tire. While the RV was parked, the contact inspected the RV and crawled under the RV and noticed that the frame had several cracks. The contact found two cracks on the right side of the frame above the axle and one crack on the left side above the axle. The RV was taken to the dealer whe
07/22/2021, STRUCTURE: We purchased a 2018 Forest River Rockwood Windjammer 3006wk from a private seller on July 17th, 2021. Within less than five minutes of picking it up, the exterior kitchen door popped open, and hit a brick mail box near the side of the road. We are sure the door popped open, because the awning sticks out further than the door, and it was not effected. After the incident, I found a Windjammer forum with a post from
07/19/2021, TIRES: Tire size ST225/75/R15 On 7/16/2020 we were travelling and our passenger tire blew causing damage to the side of our trailer. We were on the Antioch Bridge and when we heard the noise we had to travel over a mile to slowly reach a safe area to pull over. When we got home we inspected the other tires and found that another tire had a huge bump on it. We replaced both tires at Les Schwab. We were told that these tires
07/06/2022, TIRES: The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Rockwood equipped with Castle Rock tires, Tire Line: Radial ST226, Tire Size: ST205/75/R14, DOT Number: JUJTYMT2817. The contact stated while driving 58 MPH, the driver’s and passenger’s side rear tires experienced blowouts and thread separation. The contact was able to pull over safely and replace the tires. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure
06/27/2022, TIRES: The contact owns 2018 Forest River Rockwood equipped with Lionshead Tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock ST Radial 226, Tire Size: ST225/75/R15, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that the passenger’s side tire had a blowout with no warning. The contact stated that the tire was completely shredded. The contact stated that the tire was replaced with the spare which also had a blowout. The spare tire was also a Lionshead T
05/10/2021, STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER ROCKWOOD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRANSFERRING THE TRAILER, THE WATER BRACKET FROM THE WATER TANK DETACHED FROM THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND COMPLETELY DETACHED THE WATER TANK FROM THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THREE WATER TANKS WERE USING THE SAME 10 INCH BRACKETS. TERRY'S RV CENTER (20450 SOUTH LA GRANGE ROAD, FRANKFORT, IL 60423
Looking at a 2018 Forest River Rockwood?
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.