VehicleVerdict

2020 Forest River R-Pod problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River R-Pod — 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.

11

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other R-Pod years?

R-Pod NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted13 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 2 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 3 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 13 complaints2020: 11 complaints2021: 9 complaints2022: 3 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 0 complaints
R-Pod NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all R-Pod years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Forest River R-Pod problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other436%
Body & Structure436%
Visibility & Wipers218%
Electrical System19%

Does the 2020 Forest River R-Pod have recalls?

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

20V763000OtherDecember 10, 2020 · 2,828 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RPOD travel trailers. The sewer termination bracket may fail, causing the plumbing to drag on the ground or to detach completely.

Consequence

If the plumbing were to detach, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new securement bracket, free of charge. The recall began January 12, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119, option 2. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1265.

20V075000OtherFebruary 12, 2020 · 4,464 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.

19V356000Electrical SystemMay 10, 2019 · 1,346 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 R. Pod travel trailers. The wire for the refrigerator's spark igniter may have been connected to a breaker that permits a current higher than the wire can handle.

Consequence

Without the proper circuit breaker protection, the wire can melt, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will move the wire from the 30 AMP circuit to the designated 15 AMP circuit, free of charge. The recall began May 28, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-3119. Forest River's number for this recall is 80-1011.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WE WERE DRIVING EAST ON HIGHWAY 50 ABOUT 65 MPH.WE LOOKED IN THE SIDE MIRRORS AND SAW THE FRONT WINDOW OF THE RPOD SHATTERED. WHEN WE NOTICED THE WINDOW WE WERE ABOUT 90 MILES WEST OF ELY NEVADA. WE HAD STOPPED ABOUT 30-45 MINUTES PRIOR FOR LUNCH AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. VERY LIMITED TRAFFIC ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 19, 2021

“FOREST RIVER R-POD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEWER PIPE FAILURE ON TRAILER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEWER PIPE COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING CAUSING RAW SEWAGE TO BE RELEASED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS*DT*TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 15, 2020

“FRONT WINDOW OF CAMPER SHATTERED FOR NO REASON SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. FOREST RIVER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE ABOUT REPAIRING THIS. IF WE HAD BEEN IN THE CAMPER SLEEPING, THE SHATTERED GLASS WOULD HAVE WENT ALL OVER US, POSSIBLY INTO EYES AND MOUTH. CAMPER WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND WITH STABILIZERS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 27, 2021

“WE BOUGHT 2020 R-POD 172 OFF ROAD PACKAGE TRAVEL TRAILER IN DEC OF 2019 TO BE TAKEN TO PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUNDS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT WHEN WE TOOK IT ON A 25 MILE COUNTY ROAD IN MONTANA. IT WAS TOWED AT A AVERAGE SPEED OF 10 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR ON THE TRIP TO THE CAMPGROUND: THE REFRIGERATOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 15, 2020

2020 Forest River R-Pod — common questions

Is the 2020 Forest River R-Pod reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2020 R-Pod problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (4 complaints), body & structure (4 complaints), visibility & wipers (2 complaints).

Does the 2020 Forest River R-Pod have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Forest River R-Pod. 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.