2016 Forest River Vengeance problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file for the 2016 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: 3 recalls
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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 15V231000 (20/04/2015): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, Phantom, Trail & Sport and Trail Master trailers manufactured March 1, 2015, to March 31, 2015. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-453-6064. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-03312015-0025.
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
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
Tires: 3 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
09/07/2017, WHEELS: THE FRAME ON THE VENGEANCE 40D12 TOY HAULER HAS A SUPPORT BRACKET LOCATED OVER THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS BRACKET COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE TIRE WHEN THE CAMPER TRAVELS OVER BUMPS AND DIPS IN THE ROAD. I HAVE MENTIONED THIS ON THE FOREST RIVER FORUMS WEBSITE AND IT APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM OTHERS HAVE WITH THIS MODEL CAMPER. THE BRACKET CHEWS AWAY AT THE TIRE WHEN THIS OCCURS AND A TIRE FAILURE IS INEVITABLE IF THE B
08/26/2016, TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER VENGEANCE EQUIPPED WITH LIONS HEAD TIRES, TIRE LINE: VAIL SPORT RADIAL, TIRE SIZE: ST235/80/R16 AND DOT NUMBER NMNX0115. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF BUBBLES AROUND THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT FOUR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RV HAD BUBBLES AND NEE
08/17/2020, WHEELS: 3 OF MY TIRES BLEW OUT.*DT CONSUMER STATED THE 4TH TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT BUT WAS REPLACED AND ALL OF THE TIRES HAD ONLY 30 MILES ON EACH.*JB
07/30/2017, TIRES: THE TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE CAUGHT IT BEFORE THE TIRE BLEW CAUSED COSMETIC DAMAGE TO TRAILER. IF DRIVEN ANY MORE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A FAILURE. THIS IS ON A PRIMETIME CRUSADER 315 RST IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER MANUFACTURES
05/14/2019, TIRES,WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2016 FOREST RIVER VENGEANCE EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD CASTLE ROCK ST TIRES (N/A), TIRE LINE: RADIO ST 226, TIRE SIZE: SP235/80R16, AND DOT NUMBER: JUMR2MT (ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PULLING THE CAMPER, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEWOUT. THE CONTACT CALLED LOCAL DEALER (KNOTTS RV CENTER LOCATED BY 11024 BLUFFTON RD, FORT WAYNE, IN 46809, (260) 478-7200). THE CAMPER WAS NOT DIAGNOSE
Looking at a 2016 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.