2015 Forest River Vengeance problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Forest River Vengeance. 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: 4 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 20V553000 (11/09/2020): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Vengenance BVGF312A, BCKT24PACK14, BVGF312A, BVGF315A11, BVGF316A, BVGF316A11, BVGF320A, BWZVGF312A, BWZVGF316A and BWZVGF320A trailers. The Federal Placard may indicate an incorrect amount of water for trailers with the 100-gallon option, allowing the trailer to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other than Passenger Cars" and 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new placard that reflects the 100-gallon tank, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17-1193.
Recall 17V756000 (22/11/2017): EQUIPMENT
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.
Recall 15V299000 (20/05/2015): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Vengeance trailers, model numbers VGF377V, VGF378V, VGF394V13, VGF396V, BWZVGF377V, BWZVGF394V13, BWZVGF378V, and BWZVGF396V. The affected trailers may be equipped with incorrect certification labels that state the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 18,500 pounds when the actual GVWR is 18,000 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations number 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's number for this recall is 17B-05132015-0036.
Recall 15V496000 (06/08/2015): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Vengeance vehicles manufactured December 20, 2013, to November 3, 2014. The gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is less than the vehicle's GVWR represented on its certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-219-533-5934. Forest River's number for this recall is 17B-08032015-0069.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall
Recall 15V589000 (23/09/2015): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Forest River Inc. (Forest) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Forest River Cherokee and Vengeance recreational trailers manufactured May 16, 2008, to September 14, 2015. The wiring harness for the trailer's lights, electric brakes, battery charging and many of the interior 12V fixtures may have an insuffient ground wire.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailer wiring harnesses, and upgrade the ground wires, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River's customer service number at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's recall number is 17B-0918-2015-0090.
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
Tires: 1 complaint
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
Motorhome chassis: 1 complaint
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.
What owners reported to NHTSA
09/19/2016, TIRES: WHILE TRAVELING HOME THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF OUR 3 MONTH OLD CAMPER FAILED. APPEARS THE TREAD CAME OFF CAUSING THE TIRE TO FAIL. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAMPER. BEFORE LEAVING THE CAMP GROUND I VISUALLY INSPECTED ALL SIX TIRES AS WELL AS CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE. ALL 6 TIRES APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION AND WERE AT THE MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATION OF 80 PSI.
09/11/2015, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER VENGEANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 700. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
03/21/2019, STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN CAMPER, PARTS OF A SLIDE MECHANISM ARE FAULTY THAT IS CAUSING THE FIBERGLASS ON THE SIDE OF THE CAMPER NEAR THE SLIDE TO CRACK ON THE EXTERIOR. THE CRACK IS AGGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. THE SIDE IS IN DANGER OF FALLING OUT OF THE CAMPER, AS IT CURRENTLY SITS. FOREST ROVER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAS DENIED ALL RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AS THE CAMPER IS BEING PULLED DOWN TH
Looking at a 2015 Forest River Vengeance?
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.