2015 Forest River Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2015 Forest River Forester — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Forest River Forester problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	2	33%	▲ up
Lighting	2	33%	new
Latches & Locks	1	17%	new
Visibility & Wipers	1	17%	new

Does the 2015 Forest River Forester have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

16V465000LightingJune 27, 2016 · 1,999 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Forester motorhomes manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 25, 2016, Sunseeker motorhomes manufactured April 4, 2014, to May 25, 2016, 2015-2016 Solera motorhomes manufactured February 28, 2014, to September 17, 2015, and 2016 Isata motorhomes manufactured October 30, 2015, to May 26, 2016. Water may leak into the electrical module that controls the vehicle taillights, brake lights, turn signal lights, clearance lights and marker lights, making the lights inoperative. 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 rear brake lights fail to illuminate, following motorists may not realize that the vehicle in front of them is stopping. Inoperative taillights, clearance lights and marker lights will make the vehicle less visible to others. Either condition can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. An interim notice was sent to owners on August 16, 2016. The recall began on December 8, 2016. Forester, Solera, and Sunseeker owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Isata customers should call 1-574-262-3474. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-06012016-0206.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“RV STARTED TRIPPING INSIDE BREAKER. UPON INSPECTION THE NEUTRAL WIRE GOING INTO THE GENERATOR TRANSFER BOX WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE BED WAS FOUND TO BE BURNT THRU THE INSULATOR AND INTO THE HOT LEAD WHICH CREATED A DIRECT SHORT. THIS IS THE MAIN WIRE FROM THE OUTSIDE SOURCE GOING DIRECTLY INTO…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 1, 2015 · fire

“NHTSA RECALL: 16V465 THE REAR LIGHTS WE OUT IN DECEMBER 2016, INDOOR OUTDOOR RV REPLACED THE REAR LIGHTING MODULE. LATER IN DECEMBER THE SAFETY RECALL CAME OUT ON THIS LIGHTING MODULE. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. WE WAITED OVER YEAR FOR THESE PARTS AT THE INDOOR OUTDOOR RV DEALER…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 5, 2018

“I WAS DRIVING AT TEXAS HIGHWAY SPEEDS (85MPH) WHEN I HEARD A SNAP. MY PASSENGER TOLD ME THAT THE WINDSHIELD ON HER SIDE HAD JUST CRACKED. THERE WAS NO CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY IMPACTS PRIOR TO THE WINDSHIELD CRACKING. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO TAKE THE ATTACHED PICTURES.…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 1, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER FORESTER CLASS A MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DOORS FAILED TO REMAIN CLOSED AND THE STEPS WOULD FALL OUT. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE LOCKS WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · October 30, 2015

2015 Forest River Forester — common questions

Is the 2015 Forest River Forester reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2015 Forest River Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2015 Forest River Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2015 compare to other Forester years?

What are the most common 2015 Forest River Forester problems?

Does the 2015 Forest River Forester have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2015 Forest River Forester — common questions

Is the 2015 Forest River Forester reliable?

Does the 2015 Forest River Forester have recalls?

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