VehicleVerdict

2018 Forest River Palomino problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River Palomino — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Palomino years?

Palomino NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted4 complaints2015: 4 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 2 complaints2018: 3 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 2 complaints2021: 4 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 2 complaints
Palomino NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Palomino years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Palomino problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other133%
Suspension133%
Tires & Wheels133%

Does the 2018 Forest River Palomino have recalls?

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

18V051000OtherJanuary 12, 2018 · 1,349 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Rockwood and Flagstaff, and Coachmen Freedom Express recreational trailers and 2017-2018 Palomino and XLR ToyHauler and Coachmen Viking recreational trailers equipped with a Smart-Jack model power tongue jack. The laminated plastic touch pad on the jack may crack or separate allowing water to enter, potentially causing the jack to operate unintentionally.

Consequence

If the tongue jack retracts or extends unexpectedly, there could be an increased risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and a Forest River or a Lippert dealer will replace the power tongue jack, free of charge. The recall began on February 20, 2018. Rockwood and Flagstaff Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-5164; XLR ToyHauler owners can call 1-574-642-0432; Viking owners can call 1-269-467-4600; Freedom Express owners can call 1-574-825-8205; Palomino owners can call 1-269-432-3246. Lippert Customer service can be reached at 1-574-538-4514 or by email at recall@lci1.com. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0610.

17V319000OtherMay 15, 2017 · 9 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Palomino recreational trailers, model PAT251RBSS. The Federal Placard does not list the correct tire size, tire pressure, and rim size information of ST205/75R14C tires requiring 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 information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire or overinflate the tire, all scenarios that may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-269-432-3271. Forest River's number for this recall is 400-05102017-0407.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY TRAILER WHEN I NOTICED TWO BROKEN WELDS ON THE DEXTER TORFLEX AXLE. I CONTACTED DEXTER AXLE AND THEY SAID THE COMBINATION 3" AXLE BRACKET & LIFT KIT ON MY TRAILER ARE NOT COMPATIBLE AS IT CAN RESULT IN BROKEN WELDS, AND IF UNTREATED, AXLE FAILURE. THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 9, 2019

“I WAS PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON MY TRAILER WHEN I NOTICED TWO BROKEN WELDS ON THE DEXTER TORFLEX AXLE. I CONTACTED DEXTER AXLE AND THEY SAID THE COMBINATION 3" AXLE BRACKET & LIFT KIT ON MY TRAILER ARE NOT COMPATIBLE AS IT CAN RESULT IN BROKEN WELDS, AND IF UNTREATED, AXLE FAILURE. THIS IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 9, 2019

2018 Forest River Palomino — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Palomino reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Forest River Palomino have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Forest River Palomino. 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.