VehicleVerdict

2018 Forest River Forester problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 2018 Forest River Forester — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Forester years?

Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted14 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 1 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 4 complaints2015: 6 complaints2016: 8 complaints2017: 14 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 1 complaints2020: 0 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 4 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Forester NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Forester years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Forester problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure1100%

Does the 2018 Forest River Forester have recalls?

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

18V527000OtherAugust 13, 2018 · 2,582 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Work and Play and Adrenaline recreational trailers, 2018-2019 Forest River Forester and XLR recreational trailers and 2018 Forest River Rockwood recreational trailers. The awning may deploy while moving.

Consequence

If the awning deploys while moving, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the awning controller, free of charge. The recall began September 13, 2018. Owners may contact Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-6302, Forester customer service at 1-574-206-7600, Rockwood customer service at 1-574-642-4053, XLR Toyhauler customer service at 1-574-642-0432, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-538-4514 or recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0715.

17V612000OtherOctober 2, 2017 · 6 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forester motorhomes, model FRC3271SF. The Federal Placard may inaccurately state that the vehicle has single rear wheels and tires, when the vehicle is equipped with dual rear wheels and tires. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other than Passenger Cars" and fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

The Federal Placards may cause the operator to not properly maintain the tires and/or wheels. Failure to maintain the tires may lead to improper handling, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Placard, free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 34-0528.

17V513000OtherAugust 18, 2017 · 184 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Dynamax, Forester, Sunseeker, and Coachmen Prism vehicles built on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans. The affected vehicles have tire labels on the B-pillar that list a tire pressure that is too low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

Operating the vehicle with low front tire pressures may result in tire damage, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and authorized Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will inspect and replace the tire pressure label with correct tire inflation pressure, free of charge. The recall began on September 5, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-854-888-3214. Forest River's number for this recall is 35.55.215-0491.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE PLUNGER ON THE TRIMARK DOOR HANDLE/LOCK MECHANISM BROKE INTERNALLY, LOCKING US OUTSIDE OF OUR MOTOR HOME. THE MOTOR HOME WAS PARKED. DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 28, 2020

2018 Forest River Forester — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Forester reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Forest River Forester have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Forest River Forester. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Forest River Forester 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.