2018 Forest River Vibe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 2 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 7 Vibe model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 1 involved a fire.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v batteryAug 21, 2018
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.
Campaign 18V550000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailer, lpg systemsSep 15, 2017
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Vibe, and 2016-2018 Rainier recreational trailers. The liquid propane (LP) line may have insufficient clearance above the axle shackle.
Without adequate clearance, the LP line may be damaged, resulting in a propane leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LP line with a longer one, routing it away from the axle hangers, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-541-644-8063. Forest River's number for this recall is 64-0516.
Campaign 17V573000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
2 reports, newest first.
Structure, Tires, Jul 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Forest River Vibe equipped with Castle Rock Tires, Tire Line: Radial ST226, Tire Size: 225/75/R15, DOT Number: JULT1MT. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal sound coming from underneath the RV. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact noticed that the rear passenger's side tire was flat. The failure mileage was 9,000. The contact replaced the tire with a spare tire. The contact drove to a RV camp and parked the vehicle. The contact purchased two new tires and replaced both rear tires. The contact then mounted the spare tire on the RV. Additionally, the contact stated while driving to her residence two miles away, the RV was shuddering. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tread belts had snapped on the front passenger's side tire. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. Upon releasing the tire, the tire caved in. The tire was replaced. The contact also stated that the spare tire that had been mounted on the RV exploded while driving. However, the contact had only driven 20 miles with the spare tire prior to mounting it on the RV. The contact stated that the tire failure damaged the under carriage of the RV and created a hole underneath. The failure also damaged the drain pipes. The RV was repaired. There was no further information provided. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The RV failure mileage was 9,000. The tire failure mileage was 9,000.
Suspension, Dec 4, 2019, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER VIBE. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT AND HER HUSBAND WERE ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THEIR VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND PULLED THE TRAILER OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AXLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER. HOWEVER, AS THEY BEGAN TO PULL OFF THE EXIT, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LINKED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V624000 (SUSPENSION) WITH THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL FOREST RIVER. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB *JS