2020 Forest River Salem
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Tires is the leading concern among 12 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 11 Salem model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 3 involved a fire.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, wiringOct 10, 2025
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.
Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 25V682000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailerAug 9, 2021
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem, Wildwood and 2020-2021 Stealth EVO travel trailers. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.
A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 23, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1400.
Campaign 21V621000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailer, lpg systemsNov 23, 2020
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Coachmen Chaparral and Shasta, 2019-2020 Coachmen Concord and Orion, 2020-2021 Coachmen Cross Trek and Forest River Berkshire, 2019-2021 Coachmen Freelander, Leprechaun and Prism, 2020 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit and Sportscoach, Dynamax Force, DX3, Dynaquest XL and Isata and Forest River Wildwood and 2008 and 2020 Forest River Salem vehicles equipped with Dometic 3 burner cooking stoves. The saddle valve securing bolt may be overtightened, possibly damaging the o-ring seal and causing a continuous gas leak.
A gas leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit of gaskets, washers, thread locker bolts, and two round orange labels, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995, or Dometic customer service at 1-574-293-0681. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1259.
Campaign 20V727000 on NHTSA.gov
Trailer hitchesSep 18, 2020
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.
If the brakes of the trailer do not engage, it can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V563000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentAug 14, 2020
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Salem and Wildwood motorhomes. The fresh water tank may not be properly secured to the vehicle's frame.
A fresh water tank that detaches from the frame could increase the risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will properly secure the holding tank, free of charge. This recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22-1219.
Campaign 20V482000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, electricJan 29, 2020
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 Freedom Express, Salem, Stealth EVO, Vibe, Wildcat Maxx, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The emergency break-away switch may fail.
In the event of trailer separation from the tow vehicle, a failed break-away switch will not apply the trailer's brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the break-away switch, free of charge. The recall began February 19, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410 or 1-574-825-8205. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1129.
Campaign 20V049000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentOct 23, 2019
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020 EVO, Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The trailer cooktops were installed with a rubber liquid propane (LP) gas line instead of a copper one.
The rubber hose may melt, allowing gas to enter the vehicle, increasing the risk of a fire.
Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rubber LP gas line with a copper gas line, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1107.
Campaign 19V754000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
3 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2025, fire
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet—flames appeared just in time. Had I not been awake, this could have resulted in a catastrophic fire, endangering our lives. This complaint highlights a serious safety hazard involving Forest River's failure to install GFCI-compliant outlets near water sources in their Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer, violating NEC 551. The improperly installed, non-waterproofed outlet under the sink caused smoke, smoldering, and nearly a fire while the complainant’s family was camping. This near-tragic incident underscores the fire risks and life-threatening consequences of such negligence, especially in confined RV spaces. Electrical fires are a leading cause of residential fire fatalities, and RVs are particularly vulnerable due to their construction and limited escape routes. The lack of GFCI protection in wet areas not only breaches safety standards but also exposes Forest River to liability, as similar lawsuits have been identified. The emotional toll on the family, including fear and loss of trust in the product, further emphasizes the seriousness of the issue. The company should urgently investigate, ensure code compliance, and recall affected units to protect customers and restore confidence. Proactive measures like improved quality control and transparent communication are essential to prevent future incidents and mitigate legal and reputational risks.
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2025, fire
Our Forest River Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer posed a severe safety risk to my family due to improper construction. Specifically, an electrical outlet installed under the sink and near the water heater was not GFCI-compliant or waterproofed, violating NEC Table 310.15(B)(16) and NEC 551 standards, which are mandatory for RVs. While camping, we noticed a burning smell and then smoke coming from under the sink. Thankfully, I was awake and acted quickly to get my family out, cut the power, and extinguish the smoldering outlet—flames appeared just in time. Had I not been awake, this could have resulted in a catastrophic fire, endangering our lives. This complaint highlights a serious safety hazard involving Forest River's failure to install GFCI-compliant outlets near water sources in their Salem Hemisphere Travel Trailer, violating NEC 551. The improperly installed, non-waterproofed outlet under the sink caused smoke, smoldering, and nearly a fire while the complainant’s family was camping. This near-tragic incident underscores the fire risks and life-threatening consequences of such negligence, especially in confined RV spaces. Electrical fires are a leading cause of residential fire fatalities, and RVs are particularly vulnerable due to their construction and limited escape routes. The lack of GFCI protection in wet areas not only breaches safety standards but also exposes Forest River to liability, as similar lawsuits have been identified. The emotional toll on the family, including fear and loss of trust in the product, further emphasizes the seriousness of the issue. The company should urgently investigate, ensure code compliance, and recall affected units to protect customers and restore confidence. Proactive measures like improved quality control and transparent communication are essential to prevent future incidents and mitigate legal and reputational risks. I have reached out to Forest River multiple times and they refuse to respond to my inquiries.
Electrical system, Jun 22, 2022, fire
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem fifth wheel. The contact stated that the RV was not able to start up. Additionally, the converter caught fire while the contact's husband was inside the RV. The contact's husband put out the fire with a fire extinguisher. No injuries were sustained and no medical attention was received. The RV was towed to the dealer; however, the RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.