VehicleVerdict

2016 Forest River Berkshire problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2016 Forest River Berkshire — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other Berkshire years?

See all Berkshire years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Forest River Berkshire problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting120%
Steering120%
Body & Structure120%
Tires & Wheels120%
Visibility & Wipers120%

Does the 2016 Forest River Berkshire have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V179000SteeringMarch 19, 2018 · 416 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire, 2012-2017 Forest River Charleston, 2013-2015 Coachmen Cross Country and Pathfinder, and 2014-2015 Glaval Synergy motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.

Consequence

Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117, Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8212, or Glaval customer service at 1-574-343-5167. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0665.

17V799000Electrical SystemDecember 13, 2017 · 108 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Berkshire XLT motorhomes. Incorrect circuit breakers were used that may not contact the electrical sub-panel correctly.

Consequence

If the breakers do not contact the sub-panel properly, the electrical resistance can cause excessive heat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect circuit breaker, free of charge. The recall began on January 11, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-1368. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-0594.

17V756000OtherNovember 22, 2017 · 365,885 units

Defect

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

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

17V623000LightingOctober 6, 2017 · 276 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2017 Berkshire XL and XLT buses. The headlights may shut off while switching from low beam to high beam settings, reducing visibility for the operator and other vehicles.

Consequence

If the headlights shut off while driving, decreasing or causing a full loss of visibility, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a supplemental wiring harness that will stop the headlights from shutting off unexpectedly, free of charge. The recall began on October 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-0241.

17V500000Electrical SystemAugust 10, 2017 · 47 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Berkshire vehicles built on Freightliner Custom Chassis XCR chassis. A battery cable mounting bracket may not have been installed correctly, as a result, the improperly routed and clipped battery cable can contact the frame rail, possibly chafing and short circuiting.

Consequence

A battery cable short circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Foreest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and revise the battery cable mounting bracket and cable routing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-34-7440 or DTNA customer service at 1-800-745-8000. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-08032017-0491.

16V285000SuspensionMay 11, 2016 · 62 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Berkshire manufactured May 29, 2015, to April 26, 2016, and 2016 Coachmen Cross Country recreational vehicles manufactured April 30, 2015, to December 14, 2015 and built on Daimler Trucks chassis. The front sway bar mounting brackets may not fit properly on the axle causing the mounting bolts to bend or loosen.

Consequence

If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar may detach from the axle, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will modify the mounting of the sway bar, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-05032016-0183.

15V771000OtherNovember 19, 2015 · 489 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.

Consequence

The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Atwood customer service at 1-574-264-2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ACTIVATED, THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE THE ROAD. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 1, 2016

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEELWELL LINER'S TWO SELF TAPPING SCREWS STRIPPED FROM BEING ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THE LINER ALSO HAD AN ALUMINUM TUBE ATTACHED TO THE LINER BUT WAS IN NO WAY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SCREWS AND FOAM SELANT. THIS FAULTY SECURING OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 26, 2018

AFTER PURCHASING OUR FOREST RIVER BERKSHIRE XL ON AUGUST 1, 2016, I WAS FOLLOWING MY WIFE DURING THE DAY TIME, SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS DID NOT LOOK CORRECT. THIS WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALER. THEIR SERVICE PERSONNEL WORKED ON CORRECTING THE HEADLIGHTS FOR 5 HOURS ON AUGUST 2, 2016. THE FOLLOWING…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · August 1, 2016

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEELWELL LINER'S TWO SELF TAPPING SCREWS STRIPPED FROM BEING ATTACHED TO AN ALUMINUM FRAME. THE LINER ALSO HAD AN ALUMINUM TUBE ATTACHED TO THE LINER BUT WAS IN NO WAY SECURED TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SCREWS AND FOAM SELANT. THIS FAULTY SECURING OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 26, 2018

WIFE WENT TO GET FOOD AND I STAYED IN MOTORHOME, I TRIED TO OPEN DOOR TO TAKE DOG FOR WALK BUT DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. GOOGLED IT AND SAW MANY OTHERS HAD SAME PROBLEM, I AM DISABLED BUT WAS SOMEHOW ABLE TO CRAWL OUT WINDOW AFTER BEING TRAPPED INSIDE FOR OVER AN HOUR.NOW STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 15, 2020

2016 Forest River Berkshire — common questions

Is the 2016 Forest River Berkshire reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2016 Forest River Berkshire have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Forest River Berkshire. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Forest River Berkshire under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.