VehicleVerdict

2018 Forest River Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River Cherokee — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 8 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Cherokee years?

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels950%
Other528%
Electrical System211%
Suspension211%

Does the 2018 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

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

19V844000Trailer HitchNovember 25, 2019 · 328 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Cascade and Cherokee travel trailers. The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle exceeds the GVWR of the trailer hitch coupler, potentially resulting in the coupler failing and the trailer detaching.

Consequence

A trailer that detaches from the tow vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and dealers will replace the coupler, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100 or 1-541-995-3447. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-1114.

19V355000OtherMay 10, 2019 · 3 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cherokee ACKT39CL and ACKT39RL travel trailers. The Federal Placard may have incorrect axle rating, cargo carrying capacity, and tire/wheel combination information.

Consequence

Due to the incorrect Federal Placard, an operator may overload the vehicle, which may decrease vehicle stability and increase the risk of crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide replacement placards that contain the accurate information, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17A-1012.

18V752000OtherOctober 25, 2018 · 3,606 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cherokee Alpha Wolf and 2019 Cherokee Arctic Wolf recreational trailers. The awnings may have been mounted with fasteners that are insufficient in length and/or quantity, possibly resulting in the awning arm detaching from the wall.

Consequence

If the awning arm detaches, it can increase the risk of injury or a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace with the correct fastener, free of charge. The recall began November 27, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 75-0867.

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.

18V066000LightingJanuary 22, 2018 · 75 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Cherokee recreational trailers. The amber side marker lights are not located as far to the front as feasible on the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicles may also be missing the intermediate side reflex reflectors located at, or near, the midpoint of the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the marker lights are in the wrong location or if the reflectors are missing, it can reduce the visibility of the vehicle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install amber side marker lights as far forward as feasible, and mount side marker reflectors, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 75-0613.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TWO TIRE TRAILERS BLEW UP GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE FROM A CAMPING TRIP. FIRST TIRE BLEW APART AFTER LEAVING THE CAMP SITE AROUND 15 MINS DOWN THE ROAD. 2ND TIRE BLEW WHEN WE WERE STANDING STILL REPLACING THE OTHER TIRE. THIS IS A SINGLE AXLE TRAILER WITH TWO TIRES. 205-75-R14 CASTLE ROCK WITH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 13, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER WAS HITCHED TO A CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE REVERSING, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SAW SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT COMPARTMENT OF THE TRAILER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 18, 2018 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER CHEROKEE 325 PACK 13. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE CAMPER, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (COASTAL RV, 21373 BREWERS NECK BLVD, CARROLLTON, VA 23314) WHERE IT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 1, 2017 · fire

BOUGHT THIS UNIT IN NOVEMBER 2017. BY FEBRUARY IT WAS HARD TO DRIVE, FISHTAILING AND SWAYING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SAID EVERYTHING (INCLUDING AXLE) WAS FINE. DROVE TO WYOMING IN APRIL, SWAYED A LOT. MOVED AS MUCH WEIGHT FORWARD AS POSSIBLE. PARKED IT FOR A FEW MONTHS. DROVE AGAIN IN JULY AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 8, 2018

2018 Forest River Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Cherokee reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 8 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2018 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (9 complaints), other (5 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2018 Forest River Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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.