VehicleVerdict

2003 Forest River Sunseeker problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2003 Forest River Sunseeker — 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.

5

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sunseeker years?

Sunseeker NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted8 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 5 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 1 complaints2006: 2 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 2 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 4 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 5 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 1 complaints2025: 0 complaints2026: 0 complaints
Sunseeker NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sunseeker years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Forest River Sunseeker problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System240%
Fuel System240%
Engine120%

Does the 2003 Forest River Sunseeker have recalls?

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

08V346000OtherJuly 7, 2008 · 107,417 units

Defect

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence

IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.

07V085000OtherMarch 5, 2007 · 128,000 units

Defect

CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence

RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

FOREST RIVER WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600,

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WE HAVE OWNED THIS MOTORHOME SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, OVER THE YEARS RANDOMLY THE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. WE COULD BE GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WITH A RED BATTERY LIGHT AND ENGINE SHUTS OF. WE COULD BE GOING 35 AND IT HAPPENS. WE CAN DRIVE FOR SEVERAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2004

“WHILE FUELING, GASOLINE STARTED TO LEAK FROM THE AREA ABOVE THE SEWER TANK. THE GASOLINE RAN OVER THE TANK AND ONTO THE FUELING DOCK. FUELING WAS STOPPED WITH THE TANK ABOUT 1/2 FULL. THE LEAK STOPPED SHORTLY AFTER FUELING STOPPED. NO LEAK WAS DETECTED FROM THE AREA AROUND THE FUEL TANK. THIS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 7, 2016

“WE HAVE OWNED THIS MOTORHOME SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, OVER THE YEARS RANDOMLY THE THE ENGINE WOULD JUST SHUT OFF. WE COULD BE GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE CHECK SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON WITH A RED BATTERY LIGHT AND ENGINE SHUTS OF. WE COULD BE GOING 35 AND IT HAPPENS. WE CAN DRIVE FOR SEVERAL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 13, 2004

2003 Forest River Sunseeker — common questions

Is the 2003 Forest River Sunseeker reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Forest River Sunseeker have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Forest River Sunseeker. 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.