VehicleVerdict

2003 Forest River Windsong problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2003 Forest River Windsong — 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.

8

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Windsong years?

Windsong NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted8 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 0 complaints
Windsong NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Windsong years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Forest River Windsong problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes450%
Tires & Wheels450%

Does the 2003 Forest River Windsong have recalls?

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

09V110000BrakesApril 3, 2009 · 48,876 units

Defect

NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MY 2001-2008 WORKHORSE W20, W21 AND W22 CHASSIS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MONACO RV ADMIRAL, ARISTA, MONARCH, AND RIPTIDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence

THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

WORKHORSE DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR BOSCH BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.

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,

03V347000BrakesSeptember 17, 2003 · 1,200 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Consequence

IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT 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.

“DT: CONTACT STATES WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE RIGHT REAR, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE AROUND THE TIRE AREA. THE SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE LEFT REAR WHILE GOING APPROX.IMATELY 60 MPH. ALSO CAUSED THE SAME DAMAGE AS THE FIRST BLOW OUT. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 11, 2005

“2003 CARGO MATE CARGO TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY FOREST RIVER. MODEL GACM718TA2, GCVW 7,000 LBS., DOUBLE AXLE WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES. SERIAL # [XXX] [XXX]. MANUFACTURED 03/2003 ELECTRIC WIRING FOR BRAKES ONLY GOES TO LEFT SIDE BRAKES. WIRING FOR BRAKES ON RIGHT SIDE WAS NEVER HOOKED UP. *JB UPDATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 14, 2005

2003 Forest River Windsong — common questions

Is the 2003 Forest River Windsong reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Forest River Windsong have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Forest River Windsong. 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.