VehicleVerdict

2018 Forest River Salem problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2018 Forest River Salem — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

9

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Salem years?

See all Salem years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Salem problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System229%
Body & Structure229%
Tires & Wheels229%
Fuel System114%

Does the 2018 Forest River Salem have recalls?

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

25V682000Electrical SystemOctober 10, 2025 · 20,305 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.

Consequence

Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.

20V563000Electrical SystemSeptember 18, 2020 · 4,397 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers. The break-away safety switch may not be wired to constant power, which can cause the trailer brakes to not activate in the event of a trailer separation from the tow vehicle.

Consequence

If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.

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.

18V436000OtherJune 27, 2018 · 326 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened.

Consequence

The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install a replacement outside shower, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0762.

18V232000OtherApril 12, 2018 · 24 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Salem recreational trailers, model SMT282QBXL-OR. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may incorrectly state the tire pressure as 54 PSI, however, the correct tire pressure is 65 PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." These vehicles also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

Incorrect tire pressure information can cause the operator to under inflate the tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River has notified owners and provided a tire placard with the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-0693.

17V790000OtherDecember 8, 2017 · 133 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placard on these vehicles incorrectly states that the trailers are equipped with ST215/75R15 Load Range D tires, however, the installed tires are size ST205/75R15 Load Range D. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

If the incorrect label causes the operator to install tires of the wrong size, vehicle handling may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and provide corrected Federal Placards, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-848-1335. Forest River's number for this recall is 05-0595.

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.

17V484000OtherAugust 2, 2017 · 30 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may state an incorrect weight of the trailer. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

An incorrect weight on the label may affect how the operator loads the vehicle, impacting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard with correct weight and cargo carrying capacity, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4058. Forest River's number for this recall is 63-07312017-0485.

17V282000Tires & WheelsApril 26, 2017 · 71 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Salem, Wildwood, XLR, Sanibel, Wildcat, Vengeance, Chaparral Lite and Columbus recreational trailers. The Federal Placard may inaccurately list the tire and rim combinations that are installed on the trailers. Additionally, the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) information may be incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and 49 CFR part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

The incorrect information may cause the operator to install an incorrect replacement rim or tire, overinflate the tire, or overload the vehicle, 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 17, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-04242017-0393.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WE WERE SITTING IN OUR TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, LIKE AN ELECTRICAL BURN. I WENT AROUND OUR TRAVEL TRAILER AND LOOKED UNDER THE SINK AND SAW THE WATER HEATER SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICITY. IT TURNS OUT, THE AC JUNCTION BOX THAT ATTACHED TO THE WATER HEATER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 8, 2018 · fire

TRAVELING FROM NEWTON TO PANAMA CITY FL, 5 MILES ACROSS STATE LINE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW APART. SPLIT FROM ONE BEAD TO THE OTHER. TREAD LAYER CAKE OFF AND DAMAGED TRAVEL TRAILER. TIRES WERE ST225/75R15 CASTLEROCK 8PLY TRAILER TIRES. CAME ON TRAILER FROM FACTORY. DOT DATE CODE 4516. JUST OVER 3YRS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · February 7, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 23, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAILURE. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 23, 2018

2018 Forest River Salem — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Salem reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Forest River Salem have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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.