Model year

2016 Forest River Salem

Trailer, Not Applicable, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from May 31, 2016 to Aug 10, 2020.

Recall campaigns covering this model year8395k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints99.0 times the median 2016 trailer
Severity index11.12016 trailers average 8.7
First 24 months4Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2016 Forest River Salem peaked in 2018, with 3 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

0123201620172018320192020202120222023202420252026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

33% of complaints about the 2016 Forest River Salem name wheels

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Wheels
3
Electrical system
2
Equipment
2
Structure
2
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

8 recall campaigns cover the 2016 Forest River Salem

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2016 Forest River Salem
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
25V-682Oct 10, 2025Distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protectionElectrical system20,305Repair or modification
18V-550Aug 21, 2018Break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from…Electrical system5,847Repair or modification
18V-436Jun 27, 2018Outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when openedEquipment326Part replacement
17V-756Nov 22, 2017These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the…Equipment365,885Part replacement
15V-831Dec 10, 2015Affected vehicles were mistakenly not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector to warn occupants of elevated levels of carbon monoxideEquipment721Repair or modification
15V-645Oct 13, 2015In the affected vehicles, the tire and wheel placard incorrectly states the wheel rim and tire sizeEquipment78Label or owner notice
15V-359Jun 9, 2015In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may breakSuspension1,497Part replacement
15V-231Apr 20, 2015In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may breakSuspension691Part replacement
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2016 Forest River Salem

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

9 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Aug 10, 2020Failure Aug 4, 2020Newnan, GAWheels

    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 CAME WITH THE UNIT AND HAD NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND.SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES HOME.HAD THE ORIGINAL SPARE MOUNTED ON THE ALLOY WHEEL TO MATCH ALL OTHER WHEELS AND NEW SPARE MOUNTED ON THE SPARE WHEEL. DID NOT USE AGAIN UNTIL AUGUST 4,2020. LEFT FOR TRIP AND DROVE APPROXIMATELY ON HWY 231 IN SEALE ALA JUST ANOTHER 100 MILES AND HAD ANOTHER BLOW THAT SEVERELY DAMAGED THE RV SKIRTING, UNDER CARRIAGE,ELECTRICAL WIRING AND WHEEL WELLS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RV.I STARTED RESEARCH AND FOUND THE CASTLE ROCK TIRES ARE THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. I HAD ALL TIRES REPLACE BEFORE HEADING BACK HOME AND THE TIRE DEALER INFORMED ME ALL ORIGINAL TIRE ON THE RV WERE ALL SEPARATING AND I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT HOME WITHOUT ANOTHER BLOW OUT . LINKS BELOW OF CASTLE ROCK TIRE SEPARATION. HTTPS://WWW.NCCONSUMER.ORG/NEWS-ARTICLES/POTENTIAL-TIRE-DAMAGE-PROMPTS-RV-RECALL-FROM-FOREST-RIVER.HTML,HTTPS://WWW.FORESTRIVERFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/F30/CASTLEROCK-TIRE-FAILURE-WARRANTY-115943.HTML,HTTPS://WWW.IRV2.COM/FORUMS/F50/SO-CALLED-CHINA-BOMB-TIRES-368480-2.HTML. I DO HAVE TEH TIRES AND CAN SEND PICTURES OF DAMAGE IF NEEDED.

    NHTSA complaint 11344279
  2. Filed Jul 10, 2019Failure May 24, 2019Buckingham, VASuspension, Unknown or other, Wheels

    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 DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, YOU HEAR A POP AND THEN LESS THAN A MINUTE YOU HAVE A TIRE THAT HAS PEELED ITSELF LIKE AN ONION. IT APPEARS THAT THE CAMPER COMES DOWN ONTO THE TIRES. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY YEAR WE HAVE PULLED IT. THE LAST TIME WAS MAY 24, 2019.*DT *DT *DT CONSUMER STATED TIRES WERE PURCHASED LAST YEAR. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. CAMPER IS CURRENTLY AT GANDER OUTDOORS OF ROANOKE,VA. *JB *DT *DT VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.*JB COINSUMER STATED REPLACEMENT TIRES FAIL AS WELL. LIBBERT VERBALLY SAID THE SPRINGS WERE ALMOST FLAT AND THE BOLTS ARE ABOVE THE TIRES CAUSING THEM TO PEEL LIKE AN ONION. LIPPERT OF COURSE DIDN'T PUT ANYTHING IN WRITING PUT AUTHORIZED "IN GOOD FAITH" 2 NEW AXLE KITS WHICH INCLUDE THE SPRINGS. THEY ARE NOT COVERING INSULATION. SUBMITTED TO FOREST RIVER REGARDING THE BOLT. THERE WERE OBVIOUSLY SEVERAL ISSUES MAKING MY CAMPER UNSAFE TO PULL. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 11230779
  3. Filed Jul 3, 2018Failure Jul 2, 2018750 milesWasilla, AKUnknown or other

    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 TRAILER) TO KIDDE IN MARCH 2018 AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A REPLACEMENT FOR THE RECALLED EXTINGUISHER. ON 2 JULY 2108 I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT EXTINGUISHERS TO CUSTOMERS IN ALASKA, HAWAII, OR PUERTO RICO DUE TO SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS. THE PRODUCT WAS SOLD IN A LOCALE THAT IS PART OF THE UNITED STATES BUT KIDDE IS UNWILLING TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE LOCALE WHERE THEIR PRODUCT WAS SOLD.

    NHTSA complaint 11105430
  4. Filed Apr 21, 2018Failure Apr 14, 20181,000 milesNEW Castle, DELines and fittings, Recreational vehicle/trailer

    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

    NHTSA complaint 11089216
  5. Filed Mar 21, 2018Failure Feb 8, 2018Burlington, WAEquipment, Unknown or other

    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 CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

    NHTSA complaint 11080405
  6. Filed Jun 28, 2017Failure May 11, 20163,500 milesGalt, CABody

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OUTDOOR KITCHEN DOOR FLAP LATCHING MECHANISM FAILED TO REMAIN SECURE. AS A RESULT, THE DOOR FLAP FELL DOWN AND STRUCK THE CONTACT'S WIFE IN THE HEAD. SHE WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TOY HAULER LIQUIDATION DEALER, IN ROCKLIN, CA WHERE THE LATCH WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,500.

    NHTSA complaint 11002033
  7. Filed May 16, 2017Failure May 12, 2017500 milesSmithville, TNElectrical systemFire

    ELECTRICAL DEVICE CAUGHT FIRE AND CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE RV. HEAVY SMOKE AND DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING

    NHTSA complaint 10986098
  8. Filed Jul 6, 2016Failure Jun 9, 201610 milesKansas City, MOElectrical system, Unknown or other, Wheels

    BRAND NEW TRAVEL TRAILER WAS SOLD BY CAMPING WORLD WITH BIAS PLY AND RADIAL TIRES MIXED ON THE AXLES, WATER TANK WAS LEFT UNBOLTED FROM FRAME AND ELECTRICAL UNDER THE TRAILER WAS FIXED WITH WIRE NUTS. THIS IS ALL A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECTS, THAT COULD LEAD TO MAJOR PROBLEMS ON THE HIGHWAYS, PULLING THE TRAILER HOME IT HAD MAJOR SWAY PROBLEMS. I DONT KNOW IF THE FOREST RIVER FACTORY BUILT IT THIS WAY OR CAMPING WORLD DID IT.

    NHTSA complaint 10883123
  9. Filed May 31, 2016Failure May 29, 201650 milesBlaine, MEBody

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GREY WATER TANK DETACHED WHILE THE RV WAS IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

    NHTSA complaint 10871527
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

1 manufacturer communication cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • 511213 Aug 5, 2020 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.