2017 Forest River R-POD problems and owner complaints

THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE SEWER DRAIN PIPE BROKE. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR MODEL YEARS 2018 THROUGH 2020. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. LUCKILY FOR ME, THIS HAPPENED CLOSE TO HOME SO IT DID NOT CAUSE DRAIN PIPE DAMAGE AND I WAS ABLE TO GET A TEMPORARY FIX TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME.

Look up ODI 11384455 at NHTSA ↗

OTHER DAY I CONNECTED A WATER HOSE TO THE BLACK TANK FLUSHING CONNECTION. AFTER MY FIRST FLUSHING I CLOSED THE SPIGOT HANDLE AND PROCEEDED TO WORK INSIDE THE R-POD. SHORTLY AFTER A NEIGHBOR CAME OVER TELLING ME WATER WAS POURING OUT THE BOTTOM OF R-POD. SPIGOT FAILED TO SHUT WATER FLOW COMPLETELY OFF AND WATER FILLED THE TOILET TANK AND VENT PIPE. WATER THEN FLOWED OUT THE TOP OF VENT PIPE AND DOWN THROUGH THE WALLS AND BOTTOM OF RV TO THE GROUND. IF FOREST RIVER WOULD HAVE MANUFACTURED RV TO NFPA 1192 PLUMBING STANDARDS WATER WOULD HAVE O…

Look up ODI 11123288 at NHTSA ↗

MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THERMOSTAT WIRE TO LIQUID PROPANE TANK. (XXXXXX). PROPANE HEAT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. TOOK IN FOR WARRANTY WORK AND WAS ADVISED THE CAUSE WAS A CRIMPED WIRE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF WE WERE NOT PRESENT TO SHUT OFF THE PROPANE TANK, IT WOULD HAVE BURNT DOWN OR WORSE. *DT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. *JB

Look up ODI 11154513 at NHTSA ↗

Serious wall sag issue under slide potentially causing fender to rub tire.

Look up ODI 11457929 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT 2020 R-POD 172 OFF ROAD PACKAGE TRAVEL TRAILER IN DEC OF 2019 TO BE TAKEN TO PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUNDS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT WHEN WE TOOK IT ON A 25 MILE COUNTY ROAD IN MONTANA. IT WAS TOWED AT A AVERAGE SPEED OF 10 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR ON THE TRIP TO THE CAMPGROUND: THE REFRIGERATOR BROKE LOOSE FROM THE 4 SCREWS HOLDING IT AND SLIDE BACK, LUCKILY THE PROPANE LINE DIDN'T BREAK OFF, ALSO THE REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN IN FOR WARRANTY WORK IN JANUARY 2020 BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS MOUNTED IN FROM THE FACTORY. THE EXIT DOOR GOT STUCK …

Look up ODI 11341754 at NHTSA ↗

WORKING WITH ONE OF THE LATEST FAILURES I THINK WE HAVE POTENTIALLY IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE OF THE 195/196 R-POD FROM WINDOW FAILURES. IT IS NOT FROM ROCKS OR ROAD HAZARDS. TEMPERED GLASS DOES NOT NORMALLY BREAK THE WAY IT HAS BEEN ON THE 195/196 R-PODS FRONT WINDOWS; THIS TYPE OF BREAKAGE IS GENERALLY CAUSED BY STRESS IN THE GLASS NOT SOMETHING LIKE A ROCK STRIKE. WHEN I INSPECTED MY WINDOW AND FRAME, I FOUND ON THE FRAME INSIDE MY POD, ON THE SIDE OF MY WINDOW, A BEND IN THE FRAME RESULTING IN AN UNEVEN SEATING SURFACE FOR THE WINDOW. THI…

Look up ODI 11351410 at NHTSA ↗

In November 2019 Technical Service Bulletin: 51-1058, was issued because medicine cabinets were falling off the walls in multiple Forest River 2019 and 2020 units including amongst others the RPOD 195. "WHAT IS THE ISSUE? The medicine cabinet may detach from the bathroom wall during transit." Apparently Forest River did not fix the problem in their manufacturing process as our medicine cabinet in our 2022 RPod 195 started banging against the wall. The left side was loose, the screws would not tighten. We caught it early and to prevent fu…

Look up ODI 11574759 at NHTSA ↗

The frame of this RV has a defective design. The outer portions of the trailer are not supported by the frame allowing them to sag until the fender hits the tire potentially causing a tire blowout.

Look up ODI 11514150 at NHTSA ↗

A structural design failure has occurred on the short wall on the slide out side of the model 179 camper. The support installation at the time of manufacturer is insufficient. The company has offered to send additional supports for the owner to install. This is of no help once the failure has occurred. The company is aware of the problem and design failure and have discontinued this model. I have included photos of the damage caused both inside and out.

Look up ODI 11478641 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD 176 TRAVEL TRAILER. WHILE DRIVING, THE BLACK WATER TANK PIPE DETACHED AND DRAGGED ON THE GROUND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VALVE LEAKED OF SEWAGE. THE CONTACT INDEPENDENTLY REPLACED THE VALVE, THE TERMINATION CAP, AND THE THREE INCH BAYONET AND DOUBLE WACK NUT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT, DUE TO THE CONTACT NOT PROVIDING PROOF OF THE FAILURE BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT, TH…

Look up ODI 11023636 at NHTSA ↗

While towing my RPOD down interstate 20 east board through MS/AL my Thule awning came off the mount (the attachment screws appear to not have been properly installed) my wife was driving behind me and was almost hit. Since this was in the early evening and was low light she was not sure WHAT had happened and we were not aware the awning departed the vehicle until several hours later when we stopped for the evening.

Look up ODI 11418996 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT 2020 R-POD 172 OFF ROAD PACKAGE TRAVEL TRAILER IN DEC OF 2019 TO BE TAKEN TO PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUNDS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT WHEN WE TOOK IT ON A 25 MILE COUNTY ROAD IN MONTANA. IT WAS TOWED AT A AVERAGE SPEED OF 10 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR ON THE TRIP TO THE CAMPGROUND: THE REFRIGERATOR BROKE LOOSE FROM THE 4 SCREWS HOLDING IT AND SLIDE BACK, LUCKILY THE PROPANE LINE DIDN'T BREAK OFF, ALSO THE REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN IN FOR WARRANTY WORK IN JANUARY 2020 BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS MOUNTED IN FROM THE FACTORY. THE EXIT DOOR GOT STUCK …

Look up ODI 11341754 at NHTSA ↗

WE PURCHASED A 2021 R-POD 171 IN MARCH 2021. THE FRONT WINDOW RANDOMLY SHATTERED ON I-10 AS THE TRAILER WAS BEING TOWED AT 55 MPH. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS ON THE ROAD, OR FOUND WHEN CLEANING UP THE GLASS IN THE CAMPER. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH R-POD FRONT WINDOWS, AND FOREST RIVER WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. FOREST RIVER WAS USING SINGLE PANE WINDOWS. THOSE BROKE. THEY SWITCHED TO THICKER GLASS (WHICH IS WHAT I AM TOLD WHAT WE HAD) THAT SUPPOSEDLY DON'T BREAK. NOW THE…

Look up ODI 11414940 at NHTSA ↗

On XXX, the tempered-glass entry door on my 2022 Forest River R-Pod 190 travel trailer (VIN [XXX]) spontaneously shattered while the trailer was parked in [XXX]. The door was open, stationary, and facing the morning sun. No one was touching it, there was no wind or impact, and the door and glass had no prior damage. The failure sounded like a gunshot and projected broken glass onto my neck and back. I was not injured, but if I had been facing the door, the glass could have struck my eyes and caused serious injury. My wife was also inside the tr…

Look up ODI 11759779 at NHTSA ↗

The dealership sold me a brand new travel trailer with water leaks and water damage in multiple areas.

Look up ODI 11638883 at NHTSA ↗

UNEXPECTED TIRE FAILURE; BLOWOUT OCCURRED THROUGH THE TREAD OF THE TIRE, INSTEAD OF SIDEWALL; SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, INCLUDING A LOST FENDER, BENT FRAMING, AND LOSS OF FLOORING MATERIAL. FENDER HAS BEEN REPLACED, FRAMING AND FLOORING MATERIAL HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE BRAND NAME OF TIRE IS NOT LISTED AS AN OPTION WITHIN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE (CASTLE ROCK ST). THESE TIRES WHICH WERE PURCHASED ON THE 2016 FORESTRIVER SALEM HEMISHPHERE LITE HAVE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO ALARMING REVIEWS…

Look up ODI 10888820 at NHTSA ↗

ON MY THIRD USE OF MY 2017 FOREST RIVER R-POD TRAVEL TRAILER, A TRIP TO TEXAS FROM INDIANA, THE LEFT SIDE SINGLE AXLE TRAILER TIRE COMPLETELY DELAMINATED, TEARING THE STEEL FENDER WITH LIGHT AND WIRING FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS ON A 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE INFLATION OF BOTH TIRES WAS CHECKED PRIOR TO LEAVING AND BOTH WERE INFLATED TO THE RECOMMENDED PSI. I INSTALLED THE SPARE AND BOUGHT A REPLACEMENT TIRE ON THE SAME DAY. THE NEXT DAY WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 70 MPH TH…

Look up ODI 11149990 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER R-POD EQUIPPED WITH CASTLE ROCK RADIAL ST226 TIRES, SIZE: ST225/75/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 66 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AXIAL TIRE SUDDENLY BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN.

Look up ODI 11230672 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2019 Forrest River R-Pod equipped with Castle Rock tires, Tire Line: Radial ST226, Tire Size: ST225/75/R15, DOT Number: JULT1MT. The contact stated that after replacing the driver’s side tire with the spare tire and driving less than 100 miles on the spare tire, the spare tire was placed back on the trailer hitch. The contact then became aware that the spare tire had experienced a blowout. The contact had not taken the spare tire to a tire shop. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer had not been infor…

Look up ODI 11617814 at NHTSA ↗

This is on a Travel Trailer (TT) with less than 5500 miles on these tires. ST225/75R 15. I was towing my TT down the highway all of a sudden the tire on the drivers side blew. It was like an explosion. It tore the metal fender and caused damage to the underside of the TT. Once the spare was put on I continued driving until all of a sudden the passenger side tire blew. Sounded exactly the same like an explosion causing more damage to the TT inside and out. Mine and my wifes safety was put at risk when these tires that are on a single axel …

Look up ODI 11474610 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD 178. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN THE CAMPER TRAILER, HE SAW A FLASH AND THE SMOKE ALARM SOUNDED. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MOLEX CONNECTOR BEHIND THE CABINETRY IN THE KITCHEN. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS SHUT OFF TO DEFUSE THE FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.

Look up ODI 10876095 at NHTSA ↗

MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THERMOSTAT WIRE TO LIQUID PROPANE TANK. (XXXXXX). PROPANE HEAT WOULD NOT TURN OFF. TOOK IN FOR WARRANTY WORK AND WAS ADVISED THE CAUSE WAS A CRIMPED WIRE IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF WE WERE NOT PRESENT TO SHUT OFF THE PROPANE TANK, IT WOULD HAVE BURNT DOWN OR WORSE. *DT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. *JB

Look up ODI 11154513 at NHTSA ↗

THE CAMPER WAS NOT IN USE SITTING STORED WITH AC RUNNING BRAND NEW. CAUGHT FIRE. HAS NOT BEEN USED AS IT WAS PURCHASED RIGHT BEFORE COVID 19. AC WAS ON TO KEEP OUT MOLD. NOTHING ELSE WAS ON OR BEING USED UNIT WAS PLUGGED IN FOR 7 DAYS BEFORE IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLUGGED INTO THE HOUSE ELECTRIC USING THE FACTORY CABLE THAT CAME WITH IT. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE AS LOOKING THROUGH PUBLIC GROUPS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2019 R-POD 190. UNIT WAS BRAND NEW WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT USING THE CAMPER I DO NOT WANT TO SEE …

Look up ODI 11352206 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT 2020 R-POD 172 OFF ROAD PACKAGE TRAVEL TRAILER IN DEC OF 2019 TO BE TAKEN TO PRIMITIVE CAMPGROUNDS. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT WHEN WE TOOK IT ON A 25 MILE COUNTY ROAD IN MONTANA. IT WAS TOWED AT A AVERAGE SPEED OF 10 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR ON THE TRIP TO THE CAMPGROUND: THE REFRIGERATOR BROKE LOOSE FROM THE 4 SCREWS HOLDING IT AND SLIDE BACK, LUCKILY THE PROPANE LINE DIDN'T BREAK OFF, ALSO THE REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN IN FOR WARRANTY WORK IN JANUARY 2020 BECAUSE THE REFRIGERATOR WAS MOUNTED IN FROM THE FACTORY. THE EXIT DOOR GOT STUCK …

Look up ODI 11341754 at NHTSA ↗

"TONGUE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION". I FILLED THE WATER TANK, LOADED THE STORAGE AREA AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE R-POD. AT 50 MPH THE TRAILER BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. MY TRUCK AND TRAILER ALTERNATED ON 2 WHEELS. I DID GET CONTROL, HAD TO TRAVEL HOME AT UNDER 35 MPH. I GOT HOME AND WAS ABLE TO LIFT THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER. ALL OF THE STORAGE AND WATER TANK ARE BEHIND THE SINGLE AXLE. THERE IS NO STORAGE AVAILABLE IN THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER TO DISTRIBUTE THE WEIGHT. THE DINING AREA IS IN THE FRONT. THE PASS-THRU STORAGE IS BEHIND THE AXLE. THERE IS NO WAY F…

Look up ODI 11001256 at NHTSA ↗

There is a problem with the Axel on this trailer. It is making the floor buckle and the slide is sagging.

Look up ODI 11611620 at NHTSA ↗

2019 R-POD 189. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE TRAILER. *LD THE CONSUMER FOUND MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE SOLAR PANEL MATERIAL, THE RADIO WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND DID NOT WORK, SINK DRAIN WAS CROSS THREADED, A WHOLE IN THE ROOF, BEDFRAME WAS BROKEN, AN UNSTABLE FALSE WALL, ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AND WHEN IT RAINED THE ROOF WOULD LEAK. *JS

Look up ODI 11354691 at NHTSA ↗

FOREST RIVER R-POD. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEWER PIPE FAILURE ON TRAILER. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEWER PIPE COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING CAUSING RAW SEWAGE TO BE RELEASED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *JS*DT*TR

Look up ODI 11354675 at NHTSA ↗

TRAILER AXLE (TORSION AXLE MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT) APPARENTLY MANUFACTURED WITH EXCESS NEGATIVE CAMBER. THIS LEADS TO ABNORMAL WEAR TO THE INSIDE TREAD OF BOTH TIRES. TIRES MAY WEAR TO BELTING WITHIN ABOUT 5000 MILES. LIPPERT WARRANTS THESE AXLES FOR 5 YEARS, BUT ONLY FOR THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. WE ARE NOT ORIGINAL OWNERS. WE DO NOT OVERLOAD THIS AXLE.

Look up ODI 10903543 at NHTSA ↗

THE AXLE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE WHEN BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY GOING 1 MPH. ON EXAMINATION, THE 'L-SHAPED' METAL BRACKET WELDED TO THE FRAME ABOVE HAD BROKEN BELOW THE WELD AND ABOVE 2 BOLTS FASTENING THE BRACKET TO THE RISER OF THE TRAILER. THE WELDER WHO REPAIRED THE BROKEN PIECE OF METAL TOLD ME THAT THE BRACKET HAD A CUT BETWEEN THE 2 BOLTS AND THAT THIS HAD WEAKENED THE METAL BRACKET TO THE POINT THAT IT FAILED. I FEAR THAT THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM DURING MANUFACTURING WHEN THEY TEMPORARILY RAN SHORT OF THE STANDARD PIECE OF METAL …

Look up ODI 11218232 at NHTSA ↗

There is a problem with the Axel on this trailer. It is making the floor buckle and the slide is sagging.

Look up ODI 11611620 at NHTSA ↗

FRONT WINDOW OF CAMPER SHATTERED FOR NO REASON SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. FOREST RIVER HAS BEEN UNRESPONSIVE ABOUT REPAIRING THIS. IF WE HAD BEEN IN THE CAMPER SLEEPING, THE SHATTERED GLASS WOULD HAVE WENT ALL OVER US, POSSIBLY INTO EYES AND MOUTH. CAMPER WAS PARKED ON LEVEL GROUND WITH STABILIZERS DEPLOYED. HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING. WINDOW FRAME LOOKS TO HAVE SEVERAL SCREW HEADS THAT ARE OVERTIGHTENED, FRAME APPEARS TO BE WARPED WHICH MAY HAVE PUT GLASS IN A BIND.

Look up ODI 11414584 at NHTSA ↗

The front window shattered. It was not involved in an accident. We do not believe it was hit by a rock. We had only driven a short distance from our last stop when we entered the trailer and noticed it. We were able to have it crash wrapped so we were able to drive the trailer home. We reported it to Forest River who says it is not a design or components issue although a number of other R-Pod trailer owners have reported the same issue. We have not had it inspected but are awaiting the arrival of a replacement so it is available for inspection.…

Look up ODI 11464878 at NHTSA ↗

RV TRAILER NO BRAKES BRAND NEW TRAILER, WE DROVE SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THEN WE BROUGHT THE TRAILER RIGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THE SAME DAY. WE LEFT THE TRAILER A THE DEALERSHIP FOR ONE WEEK, THEY SAID THEY REPAIRED IT AND WE CAN COME PICK UP OUR NEW TRAILER. USED THE TRAILER THREE TIMES SINCE THE BRAKES WERE SAID TO HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, AND APPEARED TO BE WORKING AFTER THE REPAIR, BUT BRAKING WAS UNEVEN ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE SEEMED TO BE WORKING, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS NOT. WE HAVE RETURNED THE TRAILER AGAIN TO THE DEA…

Look up ODI 11484544 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2022 Forest River R POD RV being hauled by a 2006 Ford F-250. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH and hauling the RV, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the RV braking system failed to respond. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact towed the RV trailer to a local RV dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake failure might have been with the 2006 Ford F-250. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and it was determined that the vehicle an…

Look up ODI 11534786 at NHTSA ↗