2017 Forest River Wildwood problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 9 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Forest River Wildwood. 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, 4 complaints
Recall 18V436000 (27/06/2018): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened.
Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install a replacement outside shower, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0762.
Recall 17V218000 (31/03/2017): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Salem and Wildwood recreational vehicles. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly lists the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) being 5,080 lbs, when the axles actually have a capacity of 4,400 lbs. 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 provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR, free of charge. The recall began on April 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 27-03292017-0362.
Recall 16V787000 (28/10/2016): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Salem recreational trailers, model SMT186RB, manufactured October 13, 2016 through October 21, 2016 and model year 2017 Wildwood recreational trailers, model WDT186RB, manufactured October 7, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The Federal Placard Label and the VIN incorrectly states that the vehicle has two axles, while the vehicle is only equipped with one axle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Certificate of Origin, Federal Placard and VIN plate for each trailer, free of charge. The recall began on November 22, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-1251. Forest River's number for this recall is 6-10252016-0262.
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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 2 recalls
Recall 18V550000 (21/08/2018): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.
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
Tires: 2 recalls
Recall 17V282000 (26/04/2017): TIRES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Salem, Wildwood, XLR, Sanibel, Wildcat, Vengeance, Chaparral Lite and Columbus recreational trailers. The Federal Placard may inaccurately list the tire and rim combinations that are installed on the trailers. Additionally, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-04242017-0393.
Recall 16V673000 (16/09/2016): TIRES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers manufactured August 9, 2016, to September 6, 2016. The Federal Placard on the affected vehicles incorrectly lists the tire and rim combination. The placard states ST225/75R15 Load Range C tires with an inflation pressure of 50PSI and a rim size of 15X6.0JJ, however, the trailer is equipped with ST225/75R15 Load Range D tires that have an inflation pressure of 65PSI, installed on 15X6.0JJ rims. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2016. Salem owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-1251. Wildwood owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-533-2165. Forest River's number for this recall is 27-09082016-0243.
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
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 17V118000 (24/02/2017): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Wildwood recreational trailers, model WDT197BH and Salem recreational trailers, model SMT197BH. The lower sidewall vent for the refrigerator was improperly installed, allowing propane gas to enter the vehicle.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new vent into the vehicle floor, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-260-593-4001. Forest River's number for the recall is 72-02162017-0329.
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
Structure, roof and leaks: 2 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
What owners reported to NHTSA
05/10/2018, EQUIPMENT: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KITCHEN FAUCET WAS LEAKING UNDER THE SINK, WHICH CAUSED THE RV TO FLOOD. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF ASHEVILLE (2918 N. RUGBY RD, HENDERSONVILLE, NC 28791, 888-817-3448) WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED MOLD TO GROW UNDER THE SINK AFTER TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND ASSISTED WIT
04/19/2018, STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE PIPES FROM THE BATHROOM FROZE. AS A RESULT, THE SINK AND SHOWER PIPES BUSTED WHEN THEY UNFROZE CAUSING WATER TO FLOOD THE ENTIRE BATHROOM. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THERE WAS MOLD IN THE BATHROOM. THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A CERTIFIED FOREST RIVER DEALER (ADDRESS UNKNOWN) WHER
04/13/2021, STRUCTURE: THE CAMPER WAS PARKED IN A CAMPGROUND ON A GRAVEL CAMPSITE. THE FRESH WATER TANK WAS BEING FILLED WHEN IT DROPPED TO THE GROUND BECAUSE THE SUPPORT BEAM BENT AND WAS NOT FASTENED TO THE FRAME CORRECTLY. NEITHER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY OR CAMPER INSURANCE WILL COVER AS THEY STATE IT IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT.
04/02/2018, EQUIPMENT,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD 23BH. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V756000 (EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT CALLED FOREST RIVER CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-348-7440 AND KIDDE AT 1-855-262-3540 AND WAS PROVIDED WITH WORK ORDER #: C2799215. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE THE REPLACEMENT FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
03/29/2018, EQUIPMENT: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER WILDWOOD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V756000 (EQUIPMENT). THE CONTACT REPEATEDLY CONTACTED KIDDE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-855-262-3540 AND LEFT VOICEMAILS BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING INCIDENT NUMBER: [XXX] ON FEBRUARY 27, 2018 AFTER FINALLY SPEAKING WITH A REPRESENTATIVE FROM KIDDIE THAT STATED THAT THE CONTACT
Looking at a 2017 Forest River Wildwood?
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.