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: tires
5 reports, newest first. Show all
Tires, Jul 19, 2023
Had two Castle rock tires blow out on the highway one after the other tread, de-laminated in the center will attach photos
Tires, Sep 24, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Salem trailer equipped with LionsHead Tires, Tire Line: Castle Rock, Tire Size: 235/80/R16, DOT Number: Jumr2mt4818. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side front and passenger’s side rear tire experienced blowouts and caused severe damaged to the trailer trims, plastic inner wheel well liner, and the wheel wells. The tires were replaced. The contact also stated that the blowouts happened on two separate dates, with the first date being September 13, 2021. The contact was able to replace the tires. The failure mileages were not available.
Tires, Jun 27, 2021
Driving down the road and tire exploded. Cruise was set on 70 miles an hour and no debris was hit. Camper was empty, 14,000lbs. We were 80 miles from the dealership who preformed a full inspection of camper and tires.
Tires, Wheels, Dec 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER SALEM EQUIPPED WITH LIONSHEAD TIRES, TIRE LINE: CASTLE ROCK ST, TIRE SIZE: 205/75/R14, DOT NUMBER: JUJTYMT1219. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, HE HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ON THE TRAILER WAS DEFLATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE ON THE TRAVEL TRAILER EXPLODED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE TIRE. ADDITIONALLY, THE RIM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO DAMAGED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THREE MORE TIRES AND A RIM FOR THE RV. THE CONTACT CALLED PALM BEACH RV (5757 N MILITARY TRL, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33407, (561) 689-5788) AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE CONTACTED ABOUT A POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,854.
Tires, Aug 4, 2020
WHILE PULLING OUR NEW 5TH WHEEL SALEM HEMISPHERE CAMPER WE BOUGHT APRIL 2020 ON INTERSTATE NEAR ST.LOUIS AT 65 MPH REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLOW OUT DAMAGING THE CAMPER HAD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PUT SPARE TIRE ON UNIT TO GET HOME TRYING TO GET CAMPER FIXED BY FACTORY WHO INSTALLED TIRES ON THE UNIT.*DT*JB