2019 Forest River Sandpiper problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 1 recall and 2 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Forest River Sandpiper, 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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall
Recall 18V624000 (13/09/2018): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Catalina and Apex travel trailers and Forest River Shasta, Wildwood, Salem, Vibe, Sierra, Sandpiper, XLR and Prime Time travel trailers. The axles may be missing inner bearing races on the hubs, which can cause the bearing to burnout or cause the hub to overheat.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the defective hubs with new hubs or replace the axles, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2018. For customer service, Catalina owners may contact Coachmen at 1-574-825-8657, Apex owners should call 1-574-358-0401, Shasta owners: 1-574-825-8717, Wildwood and Salem owners: 1-574-534-3167, Vibe owners: 1-574-296-2084, Sierra and Sandpiper owners: 1-574-534-4574, XLR owners: 1-574-642-0432, Prime Time owners: 1-574-862-1025. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0851.
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
Other: 1 complaint
What owners reported to NHTSA
05/28/2020, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: THE SANDPIPER MAIN POWER CORD HOOK UP IS DIRECTLY ABOVE THE RV'S FURNACE EXHAUST VENT. THIS FURNACE EXHAUST GETS VERY HOT AND IT HEATS UP THE ELECTRICAL POWER CORD PUTTER RUBBER COVERING TO THE POINT IT STARTED TO SMELL LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I KNOW THIS IS A HAZARD, BUT EVEN MORE SO MY WIFE IS HANDY CAPPED AND STAYS IN THE CAMPER. I FEAR FOR LIFE AS WELL AS MY OWN. I KNOW HOW FAST THESE RV CAN BURN. THIS PROBLE
05/10/2021, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: RV WAS PARKED AND WAS PLUGGED INTO SHORE POWER. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR IN THE UNDERBELLY MELTED. THIS CONNECTOR IS USED BETWEEN ROMEX CABLE FROM THE SUPPLY SIDE AND THE OUTLET WHICH IS FEED WITH SO CORD. THERE WAS NO LOAD ON THE OUTLET WHICH WAS CONNECTED TO THE CONNECTOR AT THE TIME IT FAILED. THE FIRST 2 PICTURES ARE OF EACH SIDE OF THE CONNECTOR WHICH FAILED. THE THIRD PICTURE IS THE PLASTIC BARRIER UNDER THE
Looking at a 2019 Forest River Sandpiper?
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.