2020 Forest River Salem problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 7 recalls and 12 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River Salem, including 3 fires. 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: 3 recalls, 2 complaints
Recall 20V482000 (14/08/2020): EQUIPMENT
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem and Wildwood motorhomes. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. This recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1219.
Recall 19V754000 (23/10/2019): EQUIPMENT
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 EVO, Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The trailer cooktops were installed with a rubber liquid propane (LP) gas line instead of a copper one.
Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rubber LP gas line with a copper gas line, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1107.
Recall 21V621000 (09/08/2021): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem, Wildwood and 2020-2021 Stealth EVO travel trailers. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.
Fix: Dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1400.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 20V049000 (29/01/2020): SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.
Recall 20V563000 (18/09/2020): TRAILER HITCHES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers. The break-away safety switch may not be wired to constant power, which can cause the trailer brakes to not activate in the event of a trailer separation from the tow vehicle.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.
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 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 25V682000 (10/10/2025): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.
Fix: Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.
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
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 20V727000 (23/11/2020): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.
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
Tires: 5 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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 complaint
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.
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
12/21/2020, TIRES,WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD TIRES, TIRE LINE: CASTLE ROCK ST, TIRE SIZE: 205/75/R14, DOT NUMBER: JUJTYMT1219. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ON THE TRAILER WAS DEFLATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ON THE
09/24/2021, TIRES: The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem trailer equipped with LionsHead Tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock, Tire Size: 235/80/R16, DOT Number: Jumr2mt4818. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side front and passenger’s side rear tire experienced blowouts and caused severe damaged to the trailer trims, plastic inner wheel well liner, and the wheel wells. The tires were replaced. The contact also sta
08/15/2020, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: CASTLE ROCK TIRES ST 226 225/75/15.TIRESSHOW SIGNS OF FAILURE, WE PURCHASED A TRAVEL TRAILER IN MAY OF 2020. I HAVE TOWED IT LESS THAN 2K MILES AND HAVE 4 OF 5 TIRES SHOWING SIDEWALL BULGE. 1 TIRE IS THE SPARE WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN ON THE AXLE. I PLAN TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH A GOOD QUALITY TIRE IN THE UP COMING DAYS. I WILL KEEP THESE TIRES FOR A FEW WEEKS TO ALLOW TIME TO DETERMINE IF THEY NEED TO BE SENT SOMEWHE
08/04/2020, TIRES: WHILE PULLING OUR NEW 5TH WHEEL SALEM HEMISPHERE CAMPER WE BOUGHT APRIL 2020 ON INTERSTATE NEAR ST.LOUIS AT 65 MPH REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLOW OUT DAMAGING THE CAMPER HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PUT SPARE TIRE ON UNIT TO GET HOME TRYING TO GET CAMPER FIXED BY FACTORY WHO INSTALLED TIRES ON THE UNIT.*DT*JB
07/19/2023, TIRES: Had two Castle rock tires blow out on the highway one after the other tread, de-laminated in the center will attach photos
06/27/2021, TIRES: Driving down the road and tire exploded. Cruise was set on 70 miles an hour and no debris was hit. Camper was empty, 14,000lbs. We were 80 miles from the dealership who preformed a full inspection of camper and tires.
Looking at a 2020 Forest River Salem?
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.