2016 Forest River Vengeance problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Wheels (3) · Tires (2)
Safety recalls (5)
Equipment:other:labels 2020-09-11 · campaign 20V553000 · 273 vehicles
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Vengenance BVGF312A, BCKT24PACK14, BVGF312A, BVGF315A11, BVGF316A, BVGF316A11, BVGF320A, BWZVGF312A, BWZVGF316A and BWZVGF320A trailers. The Federal Placard may indicate an incorrect amount of water for trailers with the 100-gallon option, allowing the trailer to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 120, "Wheels and Rims-Other than Passenger Ca
Risk: An overloaded trailer has an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new placard that reflects the 100-gallon tank, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River's number for this recall is 17-1193.
Equipment 2017-11-22 · campaign 17V756000 · 365,885 vehicles
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 2013-20
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:wiring 2015-09-23 · campaign 15V589000 · 5,374 vehicles
Defect: Forest River Inc. (Forest) is recalling certain model year 2009-2016 Forest River Cherokee and Vengeance recreational trailers manufactured May 16, 2008, to September 14, 2015. The wiring harness for the trailer's lights, electric brakes, battery charging and many of the interior 12V fixtures may have an insuffient ground wire.
Risk: With an insufficient ground wire, the wiring harness may overheat, increasing the risk of fire. Additionally, the ground wire failure would result in the loss of the trailer's external lights and electric brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailer wiring harnesses, and upgrade the ground wires, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 20, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River's customer service number at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's recall number is 17B-0918-2015-0090.
Equipment:other:labels 2015-05-20 · campaign 15V299000 · 361 vehicles
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Vengeance trailers, model numbers VGF377V, VGF378V, VGF394V13, VGF396V, BWZVGF377V, BWZVGF394V13, BWZVGF378V, and BWZVGF396V. The affected trailers may be equipped with incorrect certification labels that state the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is 18,500 pounds when the actual GVWR is 18,000 pounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations number 567, "Certifi
Risk: The incorrect GVWR on the labels may result in the vehicle operator over loading the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new corrected label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in June 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-260-593-4005. Forest River's number for this recall is 17B-05132015-0036.
Suspension:rear:axle:non-Powered Axle Assembly 2015-04-20 · campaign 15V231000 · 691 vehicles
Defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, P
Risk: If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-453-6064. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-03312015-0025.
Service bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-07-17 · 171193 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the federal placard does not properly reflect the weight of the optional 100 gallon fresh water tank.
What owners report
2020-08-17 · Wheels · 4,000 mi“3 of my tires blew out.*dt consumer stated the 4th tire did not blow out but was replaced and all of the tires had only 30 miles on each.*jb…”
2019-05-14 · Wheels“tl* the contact owns 2016 forest river vengeance equipped with lionshead castle rock st tires (n/a), tire line: radio st 226, tire size: sp235/80r16, and dot number: jumr2mt (original equipment). the contact stated while pulling the camper, the rear passenger tire blewout. the contact called local dealer (knotts rv center located by 11024 bluffton …”
2017-09-07 · Wheels · 100 mi“the frame on the vengeance 40d12 toy hauler has a support bracket located over the right rear tire. this bracket comes into contact with the tire when the camper travels over bumps and dips in the road. i have mentioned this on the forest river forums website and it appears to be a problem others have with this model camper. the bracket chews away …”
2017-07-30 · Tires“the tread is separating from the tire caught it before the tire blew caused cosmetic damage to trailer. if driven any more there would have been a failure. this is on a primetime crusader 315 rst it is not listed under manufactures…”
2016-08-26 · Tires · 4,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 forest river vengeance equipped with lions head tires, tire line: vail sport radial, tire size: st235/80/r16 and dot number nmnx0115. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact was notified of bubbles around the side wall of the tire. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.