2016 Forest River Salem Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 10, 2025 · 9 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Salem years
Not enough data 3rd of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Forest River Salem. That ranks 3rd out of 31 Salem model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (4 complaints, 44%), typically at around 380 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Forest River Salem problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Unknown or Other4 · ~380 mi
Wheels3 · ~10 mi
Electrical System2 · ~255 mi
Equipment2 · ~1,000 mi
Structure2 · ~1,775 mi
Suspension1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Unknown or Other444%380——
Wheels333%10——
Electrical System222%255——
Equipment222%1,000——
Structure222%1,775——
Suspension111%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2018, with 3 complaints
2016: 2201622017: 2201722018: 3201832019: 1201912020: 120201

n = 9 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Forest River Salem recalls (8)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:wiringOct 10, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V682000 · 20,305 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.

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.

Electrical system:12v/24v/48v batteryAug 21, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V550000 · 5,847 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

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.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailerJun 27, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V436000 · 326 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.

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.

EquipmentNov 22, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V756000 · 365,885 vehicles

Problem: 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 could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

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.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer:lpg systemsDec 10, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V831000 · 721 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Evo, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The affected vehicles were mistakenly not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector to warn occupants of elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

Risk: If occupants are not warned elevated carbon monoxide levels, they are at an increased risk of injury.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the existing Liquid Propane (L.P.) Detector and install a combination L.P./carbon monoxide detector, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777, extension 53. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-12072015-0119.

Equipment:other:labelsOct 13, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V645000 · 78 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Salem recreational trailers manufactured June 2, 2015, to October 6, 2015 and 2015 Wildwood recreational trailers manufactured June 3, 2015, to October 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the tire and wheel placard incorrectly states the wheel rim and tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: If the incorrect tire and rim is installed, there may be instability of the vehicle when towing, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected tire placard, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-453-6064. Forest River's recall number is 19-10082015-0093.

Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblyJun 9, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V359000 · 1,497 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Evo, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Wildwood, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Wildcat Maxx, Vibe, R-Pod, and Surveyor trailers. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.

Risk: If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-05142015-0037.

Suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assemblyApr 20, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V231000 · 691 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The unit has castle-rock 225/75/15 original tires installed on unit. August of 2019 was returning home from a trip in panama city beach fla, had a blowout in dothan ala. Did not think of a defective tire at the time and just considered it bad luck.i replace the blown tire with the new spare that…

Wheels · received Aug 10, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11344279

In february 2016 we purchased a 2016 salem forest camper. We only pull it less than 6 times a year (less than 161 miles each way). We were having flat tires (blow outs) on most trips causing damage underneath and damage on both sides. Prior to the blow out the camper pulls to one side making it…

Suspension · received Jul 10, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11230779

The kidde fire extinguisher provided by the manufacturer was the subject of a recall due to potential failure to operate. The recall id referenced by the manufacturer is 17v756. It appears that kidde has reported the recall corrective actions complete. They are not. I reported my vehicle (a travel…

Unknown or Other · received Jul 3, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11105430

The liquid propane (lp) line does not have enough clearance causing excessive friction on metal bar resulting in creating a hole in the gas line. Which causes a propane leak and possibly resulting into an unwanted fire. Camper was in a parked position when noticed. *tt *tr

Equipment · received Apr 21, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11089216

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 forest river salem cruise. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v756000 (equipment). The parts were not available for the repair. The contact was unable to have the recall repair completed due to the manufacturer not communicating with the…

Unknown or Other · received Mar 21, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11080405

Other Forest River Salem years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Forest River Salem?

Owners most often report unknown or other, wheels, electrical system problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Forest River Salem?

Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Forest River Salem a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Salem model years, the 2016 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.