2020 Forest River Salem recalls and problems

The 2020 Forest River Salem has 7 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Forest River dealer.

Recalls
7
Complaints
12
Crashes / fires
0 / 3
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2020 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 21V-621: Equipment

Reported Aug 9, 2021 · 336 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem, Wildwood and 2020-2021 Stealth EVO travel trailers. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.

Risk: A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1400.

Recall 20V-727: Equipment

Reported Nov 23, 2020 · 4,203 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.

Risk: A gas leak can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.

Recall 20V-563: Electrical System, Trailer Hitches

Reported Sep 18, 2020 · 4,397 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

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.

Recall 20V-482: Equipment

Reported Aug 14, 2020 · 643 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem and Wildwood motorhomes. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.

Risk: A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. This recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1219.

Recall 20V-049: Service Brakes, Electric

Reported Jan 29, 2020 · 218 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.

Risk: In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.

Recall 19V-754: Equipment

Reported Oct 23, 2019 · 41 vehicles affected · Forest River, Inc.

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 EVO, Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The trailer cooktops were installed with a rubber liquid propane (LP) gas line instead of a copper one.

Risk: The rubber hose may melt, allowing gas to enter the vehicle, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rubber LP gas line with a copper gas line, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1107.

2020 Forest River Salem problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Tires5
Electrical System3
Equipment2
Unknown or Other1
Wheels1
Structure1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Most reported parts

  • Wheels › Rim — 1
  • Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Materials › Insulation — 1
  • Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems — 1
  • Structure › Body — 1
  • Electrical System › Propulsion System › Dc/Dc Converter — 1
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 3,500 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 2020 Forest River Salem complaints

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

Electrical System · reported Jan 28, 2025
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet—flames appeared just in time. Had I not been awake, this could…
Electrical System · reported Jan 28, 2025
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet—flames appeared just in time. Had I not been awake, this could…
Tires · reported Jul 19, 2023
Had two Castle rock tires blow out on the highway one after the other tread, de-laminated in the center will attach photos
Latches/Locks/Linkages · reported Jun 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem. The contact stated that the door on the travel trailer was unable to be opened from inside or outside. The contact stated that she had to remove the lock and use a screwdriver to unlock the door. The RV was not diagnosed by a dealer nor an independent mechanic. The door lock manufacturer RV Locks and More was made aware of the failure. The RV manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available.
Electrical System · reported Jun 22, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem fifth wheel. The contact stated that the RV was not able to start up. Additionally, the converter caught fire while the contact's husband was inside the RV. The contact's husband put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained and no medical attention was received. The RV was towed to the dealer; however, the RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

Other Forest River Salem years

Compare all Forest River Salem years · All Forest River models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Forest River Salem have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2020 Forest River Salem: 25V-682 (electrical system), 21V-621 (equipment), 20V-727 (equipment), 20V-563 (electrical system, trailer hitches), 20V-482 (equipment) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2020 Forest River Salem?

Owners report tires problems most often (5 reports), followed by electrical system (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 3,500 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.