2018 Forest River Salem Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 10, 2025 · 6 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Salem years
Not enough data 6th of 31 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Forest River Salem. That ranks 6th out of 31 Salem model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 33%), typically at around 150 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. 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 2018 Forest River Salem problems

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

Electrical System2 · ~150 mi
Structure2
Fuel/propulsion System1
Tires1 · ~1,000 mi
Wheels1 · ~1,200 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System233%150——
Structure233%———
Fuel/propulsion System117%———
Tires117%1,000——
Wheels117%1,200——

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 2 complaints
2017: 1201712018: 1201812019: 2201922020: 1202012021: 120211

n = 6 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2018 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: integrated trailer brake control; trailer hitchesSep 18, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V563000 · 4,397 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers. The break-away safety switch may not be wired to constant power, which can cause the trailer brakes to not activate in the event of a trailer separation from the tow vehicle.

Risk: If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.

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.

Equipment:other:labels; tiresApr 12, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V232000 · 24 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Salem recreational trailers, model SMT282QBXL-OR. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may incorrectly state the tire pressure as 54 PSI, however, the correct tire pressure is 65 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." These vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: Incorrect tire pressure information can cause the operator to under inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River has notified owners and provided a tire placard with the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-0693.

Equipment:other:labelsDec 8, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V790000 · 133 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly states that the trailers are equipped with ST215/75R15 Load Range D tires, however, the installed tires are size ST205/75R15 Load Range D. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: If the incorrect label causes the operator to install tires of the wrong size, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners and provide corrected Federal Placards, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-848-1335. Forest River's number for this recall is 05-0595.

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:other:labelsAug 2, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V484000 · 30 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may state an incorrect weight of the trailer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk: An incorrect weight on the label may affect how the operator loads the vehicle, impacting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard with correct weight and cargo carrying capacity, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 63-07312017-0485.

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.

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.

TRAVELING ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE, 9:00 A.M., PORT SAINT LUCIE AREA. A LOUD BANG AND THE BLOWN TIRE. PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. WE MADE IT SAFELY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHERE WE AWAITED FHP FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON WE TOOK THE NEXT EXIT AND BOUGHT A NEW SPARE BEFORE CONTINUING OUR…

Tires · received Mar 7, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11399574

Traveling from newton to panama city fl, 5 miles across state line right rear tire blew apart. Split from one bead to the other. Tread layer cake off and damaged travel trailer. Tires were st225/75r15 castlerock 8ply trailer tires. Came on trailer from factory. Dot date code 4516. Just over 3yrs…

Wheels · received Feb 9, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11308054

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 forest river salem travel trailer. The contact stated that the travel trailer had not been hauled by a vehicle yet because one of the stabilizers associated with the two fuel tanks fractured. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that this was a known failure. The…

Structure · received Mar 13, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11186540

I received a new forest river rv, travel trailer with rusted gas line piping and frame

Structure · received Feb 27, 2019 · NHTSA complaint 11182734

We were sitting in our travel trailer when i smelled something burning, like an electrical burn. I went around our travel trailer and looked under the sink and saw the water heater smoking. I immediately turned off the electricity. It turns out, the ac junction box that attached to the water heater…

Electrical System · received Jun 30, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11104860

Other Forest River Salem years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Forest River Salem?

Owners most often report electrical system, structure, fuel/propulsion system problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2018 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 2018 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 2018 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.