2016 Forest River Salem recalls and problems

The 2016 Forest River Salem has 8 safety recalls and 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Forest River dealer.

Recalls
8
Complaints
9
Crashes / fires
0 / 1
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Forest River Salem vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Forest River Salem recalls

Recall 25V-682: Electrical System

Reported Oct 10, 2025 · 20,305 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 18V-550: Electrical System

Reported Aug 21, 2018 · 5,847 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 18V-436: Equipment

Reported Jun 27, 2018 · 326 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 17V-756: Equipment

Reported Nov 22, 2017 · 365,885 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 15V-831: Equipment

Reported Dec 10, 2015 · 721 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 15V-645: Equipment

Reported Oct 13, 2015 · 78 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 15V-359: Suspension

Reported Jun 9, 2015 · 1,497 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 15V-231: Suspension

Reported Apr 20, 2015 · 691 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

2016 Forest River Salem problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other4
Wheels3
Equipment3
Structure2
Electrical System2
Suspension1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2
  • Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems › Lines and Fittings — 1
  • Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 750 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Forest River Salem complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Wheels · reported Aug 10, 2020
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…
Unknown or Other · at 750 miles · reported Jul 3, 2018
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…
Equipment · at 1,000 miles · reported Apr 21, 2018
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.
Unknown or Other · reported Mar 21, 2018
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.
Structure · at 3,500 miles · reported Jun 28, 2017
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.

Other Forest River Salem years

Compare all Forest River Salem years · All Forest River models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Forest River Salem have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Forest River Salem: 25V-682 (electrical system), 18V-550 (electrical system), 18V-436 (equipment), 17V-756 (equipment), 15V-831 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Forest River Salem?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (4 reports), followed by wheels (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 750 miles.

Are Forest River recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Forest River dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.