VehicleVerdict

2015 Forest River Salem problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 2015 Forest River Salem — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

14

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Salem years?

See all Salem years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Forest River Salem problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure536%
Suspension321%
Brakes214%
Electrical System214%
Other214%

Does the 2015 Forest River Salem have recalls?

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

18V550000Electrical SystemAugust 21, 2018 · 5,847 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.

Consequence

If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.

17V756000OtherNovember 22, 2017 · 365,885 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

14V712000OtherNovember 7, 2014 · 40 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Salem Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 28, 2014, and certain model year 2015 Wildwood Ice Cabin trailers manufactured October 10, 2014, to October 22, 2014. Due to insufficient thickness, the Lippert Components-brand draw bar of the affected trailers may break.

Consequence

If the draw bar breaks, the front of the trailer may fall or the trailer may detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River has notified the dealers who have the affected trailers quarantined on their lots. Lippert Components personnel will reinforce the draw tube, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 06-11032014.

14V689000SuspensionOctober 31, 2014 · 206 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015 Salem 8X16FK, 8X18RB, 8X20RD, 8X20RC, 8X20SV, 8X21RV, 8X22RDV, and 8X22RHV, and 2015 Wildwood 8X16FK, 8X18RB, 8X20RD, 8X20RC, 8X20SV, 8X21RV, 8X22RDV, and 8X22RHV ice house fishing cabin trailers manufactured September 22, 2014, to October 23, 2014. The affected trailers may have been built with frame spring hangers that may be brittle and susceptible to fracturing.

Consequence

A spring hanger that fractures may result in a loss of control of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River has notified the dealers that have the affected trailers quarantined. Dealers will install a spring hanger reinforcement kit, free of charge. The recall began in late October 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 6-102914.

14V625000OtherOctober 7, 2014 · 205 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Salem and Wildwood T174BH recreational vehicles manufactured September 18, 2013, to August 29, 2014. The affected vehicles may have an incorrect Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) on the certification and tire information labels. As such, the vehicles do not conform to Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

If the trailer is loaded to the specifications listed on the label, tire failure may result, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and will provide corrected labels to the owners, free of charge. The recall began on November 11, 2014. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383. Forest River's number for this recall is 2014-PLT6.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE RUBBERIZED ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROOF WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND IMPROPERLY GLUED TO THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 30, 2015

THE SUSPENSION AND AXLES DO NOT ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THE CHASSIS AT THE ADVERTISED CURB WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, CAUSING THE AXLES TO WARP AND ALL 4 OF THE TIRES TO FAIL. THE ATTACH POINTS TO THE CHASSIS ALSO DISLODGED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 29, 2016

JUNE 8, 2017, WE WERE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON I-15 IN CENTRAL UTAH. WE WERE TRAVELING AT OR NEAR 60 MILES PER HOUR, WHEN THE VINYL ROOF SEPARATED FROM THE TOP FRONT OF OUR TRAILER. WE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AT THE 1ST OFF RAMP WE COULD SAFELY GET TOO, AND SECURED IT WITH ROPES TO PREVENT ANY HAZARD TO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 8, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER HEMISPHERE (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER SALEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY EMITTED WARM AIR, THE CHASSIS TWISTED, THE ELECTRIC JACKS DID NOT FUNCTION, AND SEALS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT WAS REPLACED ON FIVE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 18, 2014

2015 Forest River Salem — common questions

Is the 2015 Forest River Salem reliable?

The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2015 Salem problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (5 complaints), suspension (3 complaints), other (2 complaints).

Does the 2015 Forest River Salem have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Forest River Salem. 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.