VehicleVerdict

2017 Forest River Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2017 Forest River Cherokee — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Cherokee years?

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Forest River Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension531%
Body & Structure425%
Tires & Wheels425%
Other213%
Engine16%

Does the 2017 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

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

18V186000OtherMarch 21, 2018 · 448 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forest River Cherokee recreational trailers, models CCKT16BF, CCKT16BHS, CCKT16FQ, CCKT16GR, CCKT16GRH, CCKT17RP and CCKT18TO. These vehicles are equipped with Norcold N306 mini refrigerators that may have a loose or missing propane gas valve test port screw, allowing propane to leak out when the refrigerator is used in 'gas' mode.

Consequence

A propane leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Norcold dealers will install and tighten the gas valve port screw, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 19, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100, or Norcold customer service at 1-800-543-1219. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0687.

18V034000Electrical SystemJanuary 11, 2018 · 223 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forest River Cherokee travel trailers. On the affected trailers, a 14 gauge and a 12 gauge neutral wire for the 110V Air Conditioning were connected to the same lug in the 120V panel neutral bus bar.

Consequence

If both wires were connected to same lug, the smaller wire may overheat and fail due to trying to handle a higher load, thereby increasing the risk of an electrical fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will relocate the subject wire to another 14 gauge terminal, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17A-0609.

17V838000Electrical SystemDecember 21, 2017 · 3,297 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Cascade and Cherokee recreational trailers. The trailer wiring may have been improperly routed, allowing the wires to be pinched between the chassis and the vehicle body.

Consequence

Pinched wires may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailers, rerouting the wires, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 7, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-644-8072. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-0456.

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.

17V171000OtherMarch 14, 2017 · 14 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Cherokee recreational trailers, model ORCKT244JR-64. The Federal Placard has incorrect tire and rim size information, indicating ST205/75R15C tires with 50 PSI and a rim size of 15X5.5JJ, when the actual combination is ST205/75R14C tires with 50 PSI and a rim size of 14X5.5JJ. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

The incorrect tire information can cause the operator to install the wrong size of replacement tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-03082017-0339.

16V579000Tires & WheelsAugust 3, 2016 · 230 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cherokee recreational trailers, models CCKT16BHS, CCKT16FQ and CCKT17CJ, manufactured April 15, 2016, to July 28, 2016. The affected vehicles may have insufficient clearance between the bottom of the trailer and the top of the tire and, during use, the tire may make contact, possibly damaging the tire.

Consequence

A damaged tire may unexpectedly deflate, causing a loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a bolt on lift kit, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's number for this recall is 17C-07292016-0234.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, SMOOTH ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRAILER AXLE SUDDENLY BROKE FREE, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO FLIP ONTO ITS SIDE. THE TRAILER APPEARS TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE TOWING VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SLIGHTLY. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE RIDE SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE AXLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 13, 2021 · crash

SITTING IN HOUSE AND HEARD A LOUD POP. GO OUTSIDE AND TRAVEL TRAILER IS LEANING. THE TIRE ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TRAILER HAS BLOWN SITTING STILL 5 DAYS FROM WHEN THE TIRE ON THE OTHER SIDE BLEW GOING DOWN THE ROAD. NOT SAFE

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 22, 2019

All the bolts holding camper on frame were loose & 2 we're missing... Screws around slide out loose. Causing the side to split.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 1, 2019

WHILE DRIVING ON A STRAIGHT, SMOOTH ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE TRAILER AXLE SUDDENLY BROKE FREE, CAUSING THE TRAILER TO FLIP ONTO ITS SIDE. THE TRAILER APPEARS TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE TOWING VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED SLIGHTLY. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, THE RIDE SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE AXLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 13, 2021 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER ARCTIC WOLF 285DRL4 CHEROKEE RV (NA). THE CONTACT OBSERVED MELTED PLASTIC AND WATER LEAKING FROM THE RV WITHOUT WARNING. THE WATER HEATER MELTED THE WATER HOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL CHEYENNE CAMPING CENTER, LOCATED AT 2960 N PLAINVIEW RD,…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 2, 2017 · fire

2017 Forest River Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2017 Forest River Cherokee reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2017 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are suspension (5 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints), tires & wheels (4 complaints).

Does the 2017 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Forest River Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Forest River Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 2026.

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.