VehicleVerdict

2021 Forest River Columbus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2021 Forest River Columbus — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Columbus years?

Columbus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted3 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 1 complaints2017: 1 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 0 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 2 complaints2024: 3 complaints
Columbus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Columbus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Forest River Columbus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1100%

Does the 2021 Forest River Columbus have recalls?

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

24V272000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2024 · 4,480 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Cardinal, Wildcat, 2018-2019 Cedar Creek, 2021 Columbus, 2023 Continental Cargo, 2021-2024 Dynamax DX3, Dynamax Dynaquest XL, Dynamax Isata, Forest River IBEX, 2022-2024 Dynamax Europa, Forest River NOBO, 2022-2023 Forest River Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, and 2021-2023 Dynamax Force trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.

Consequence

A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by May 14, 2024. Owners may contact Suburban customer service at 1-574-247-9235 option 5; Cardinal & Wildcat customer service at 1-574-296-7700; Cedar Creek customer service at 1-260-593-4000; Columbus customer service at 1-574-821-1487; Continental Cargo customer service at 1-254-420-0171; Dynamax customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Ibex & Nobo customer service at 1-574-6421612; and Sandstorm & Shockwave customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1760.

22V243000OtherApril 13, 2022 · 99,190 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.

Consequence

A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.

21V374000OtherMay 21, 2021 · 93 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Columbus Fifth Wheel trailers. The breakaway switch and trailer brakes may not activate when needed due to an incorrectly wired breakaway switch.

Consequence

Failure of the breakaway switch and trailer brakes can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487. Forest River's number for this recall is 410-1350.

21V371000OtherMay 20, 2021 · 309 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Columbus Fifth Wheel trailers. The legs on the Allure Swivel Dining chair may detach from the chair body.

Consequence

There would be an increased risk of injury if the chair legs detach while the chair is occupied.

Remedy

Dealers will install a hardware kit to reinforce the chair legs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-821-1487. Forest River's number for this recall is 410-1342.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ *I lost brakes and came close to colliding with another vehicle in Virginia, and Camping World tech found wiring inside axel that goes to brakes was shorting on the axle was acting as a ground. I need this repair made correct and permanent. *The furnace is inoperable, Camping World's diagnosis-…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 14, 2022

2021 Forest River Columbus — common questions

Is the 2021 Forest River Columbus reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2021 Forest River Columbus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Forest River Columbus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.