VehicleVerdict

2013 Forest River Xlr problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2013 Forest River Xlr — 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.

2

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Xlr years?

See all Xlr years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Forest River Xlr problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure150%
Visibility & Wipers150%

Does the 2013 Forest River Xlr have recalls?

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

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.

16V457000SuspensionJune 22, 2016 · 2,224 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 XLR toyhaulers manufactured August 28, 2012, to November 5, 2015. These vehicles may have an axle equalizer knurled bolt (axle shackle locating bolt) that may not be properly seated in the chassis axle hanger.

Consequence

If the equalizer knurled bolt is not installed properly, the bolt may not properly secure the axle, allowing it to shift and result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any equalizer knurled bolts and nuts that were improperly installed, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0431. Forest River's number for this recall is 45-06102016-0208.

15V771000OtherNovember 19, 2015 · 489 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.

Consequence

The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Atwood customer service at 1-574-264-2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.

15V390000SuspensionJune 19, 2015 · 44 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013 XLR and Vengeance, 2010 Sandpiper, 2004 Auto Plus, 2008 Cargo Mate and 2015-2016 Hydra-Lift trailers. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.

Consequence

If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-05282015-0042.

13V203000OtherMay 17, 2013 · 9,526 units

Defect

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Consequence

If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

The contact owns a 2013 Forest River XLR Toy Hauler. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and towing the toy hauler, the side window in the kitchen detached. The contact stated there was glue residue detected around the seal. The contact used a piece of plexiglass to cover the hole. The contact…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Forest River XLR Toy Hauler. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and towing the toy hauler, the side window in the kitchen detached. The contact stated there was glue residue detected around the seal. The contact used a piece of plexiglass to cover the hole. The contact…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 23, 2023

2013 Forest River Xlr — common questions

Is the 2013 Forest River Xlr reliable?

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

Does the 2013 Forest River Xlr have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Forest River Xlr. 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.