2017 Forest River Salem Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 10, 2025 · 5 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Salem years
Not enough data 7th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Forest River Salem. That ranks 7th out of 31 Salem model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (3 complaints, 60%), typically at around 650 miles. There are 9 safety recalls covering this model year.

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

Compare with another car

Most common 2017 Forest River Salem problems

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

Structure3 · ~650 mi
Equipment1 · ~500 mi
Tires1 · ~3,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Structure360%650——
Equipment120%500——
Tires120%3,000——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 1 complaints
2017: 1201712018: 1201812019: 1201912020: 1202012024: 120241

n = 5 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2017 Forest River Salem recalls (9)

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.

TiresApr 26, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V282000 · 71 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: The incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, all scenarios that may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Equipment:other:labelsMar 31, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V218000 · 6 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: The incorrect GAWR may result in the vehicle being overloaded, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer:lpg systemsFeb 24, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V118000 · 17 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A propane leak into the interior of the vehicle in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or explosion.

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.

Equipment:other:labelsOct 28, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V787000 · 92 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: If the owner follows the information on the Federal Placard Label, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

Equipment:other:labels; tiresSep 16, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V673000 · 178 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: The incorrect tire information on the Federal Label may result in the operator under-inflating the tires. An underinflated tire may cause sudden tire failure, or poor handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

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 contact owns a 2017 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite RV. The contact stated due to water buildup in the roof, the ceiling was leaking during rainy weather. The contact stated that the leak had caused mold to build up on the front side of the camper. The contact stated that the roof slider had…

Structure · received May 23, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11590320

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER SALEM LITE RV, EQUIPPED WITH FOUR CASTLE ROCK ST BRAND TIRES N/A. TIRE LINE: UNKNOWN - DOT NUMBER: JUMR2MT, SIZE: 23580/R16. THE HE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW AND A COUPLE OF MILES LATER THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ALSO BLEW OUT. THE…

Tires · received Jun 22, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11330192

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 forest river salem. The contact stated that a leak emerged from underneath the driver's side slide out portion of the trailer. The leak caused mold to form. The dealer an manufacturer were not contacted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not…

Structure · received Oct 30, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11277106

I replaced a leaking propane tank hose a few months after purchasing our travel trailer in march 2017. While preparing the trailer for a trip next weekend, i found that the 2nd tank hose is leaking propane in the same way as the first. I am concerned that this is an issue with more than just my…

Equipment · received Apr 7, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11083773

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan titan hauling a 2017 forest river salem cruise lite travel trailer. While driving less than 40 mph, the awning on the rv prematurely fractured. The two bottom poles fractured onto the roadway and the contact had to pull the vehicle over to make an adjustment…

Structure · received Aug 31, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11020948

Other Forest River Salem years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Forest River Salem?

Owners most often report structure, equipment, tires problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2017 Forest River Salem?

Yes, 9 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2017 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 2017 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.