U.S. public vehicle records

2016 Forest River FR3: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

10,100 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2016 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Unknown Or Other

Unknown Or Other: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2018

2018: 1

Pattern summary

Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11149731 · 2018-11-06 (November 6, 2018)

THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED A LOCK OUT FROM RV, HAVE LOOKED AT FOREST RIVER FORUM AND READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EITHER LOCKED IN OR LOCKED OUT, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EITHER CLIMB OUT OR IN AN OPEN WINDOW OR USE THE EMERGENCY EXIT.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WORKING FINE DURING ANY AND ALL CAMPING TRIPS, THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM

Owner-reported narrative. 10,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11149731 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

15V726000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Forest River FR3 and Georgetown, and Coachmen Mirada and Pursuit recreational vehicles manufactured August 7, 2015, to October 22, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.

Consequence: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-800-392-3673. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-10302015-0105.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

16V828000 · Equipment

Reported: 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 FR3 motorhomes manufactured September 24, 2014, to May 12, 2016; 2015-2017 Prime Time Spartan toyhaulers manufactured June 10, 2014, to May 31, 2016; 2013-2016 Palomino Columbus toyhaulers manufactured October 4, 2012, to December 4, 2015; and 2015-2016 XLR Thunderbolt and Nitro toyhaulers manufactured May 23, 2014, to November 23, 2016. These vehicles were equipped with certain aluminum, black, ladders manufactured by Christianson Industries. The affected ladders have retractable hinges, each with a welded 'top hat' that can separate from the hinge.

Consequence: If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a remedy kit to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on January 3, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102016-0271.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

100.0%Usable mileage1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid incident date1 / 1 records

100.0%Valid filing date1 / 1 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates1 / 1 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11149731 · 10,100 mi THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED A LOCK OUT FROM RV, HAVE LOOKED AT FOREST RIVER FORUM AND READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EITHER LOCKED IN OR LOCKED OUT, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EITHER CLIMB OUT OR IN AN OPEN WINDOW OR USE THE EMERGENCY EXIT.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WORKING FINE DURING ANY AND ALL CAMPING TRIPS, THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM Look up ODI 11149731 at NHTSA ↗	1100.0% ODI 11124652 · 12,500 mi SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 30MPH, OVER BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS (MOST RECENTLY A RAILROAD CROSSING) THE FRONT END BEGINS TO VIBRATE, SHAKE AND BOUNCE VIOLENTLY INCREASING IN INTENSITY UNTIL STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 9 TIMES IN NON-TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. THE 10TH TIME, WHILE TRAVELING IN SINGLE LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC I WAS FORCED INTO A TREE LINED EMBANKMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP AND AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY NORMALLY BUT SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION TO PARTS OF MY V… Look up ODI 11124652 at NHTSA ↗	266.7% ODI 11016350 · 6,500 mi OVERHANG TOO MUCH FOR SUSPENSION AND SHOCKS PLACED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT WHEN NOT LOADED, OR PULLING ANYTHING, WHEN UTILIZING COMMON SIMPLE DRIVEWAYS (COMMON ANGLES FOUND IN HOMES, SHOPPING CENTERS AND RELATED). THE DEFECT CAUSES THE HITCH TO BE DRAGGED CAUSING SPARKS AND IT DAMAGES THE SEVEN WAY PLUG AND HOUSING RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE BOTTOMING OUT IMPACTS THE FRAME CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION, FUEL TANK MOUNTING, FRAME, AND UNKNOWN OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS BASED ON THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN. Look up ODI 11016350 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	240.0% ODI 11553249 Due to faulty welding of the supports for the onboard propane tank, the tank fell out the bottom of the rig on I-70 outside Kansas City on June 6 2023. The tank bounced around, knocking out one one of the drive shafts before bursting into flames. There was no warning before this happened as there are no sensors for that. With the rig being a total loss, there is no way to reproduce the problem. My insurance company hired a fire investigator, but findings were inconclusive due to the extent of the fire damage. I have since found others that have… Look up ODI 11553249 at NHTSA ↗	2100.0% ODI 11522755 Power Front Sun/Privacy Shade completely unrolled while driving on a 4-lane interstate going approximately 65 mph, completely blinding the driver from seeing the road, with truck traffic constantantly passing me. Unable to see where I was going at 65 mpg. Took the motorhome to the dealer. Manufacturer was notified. There was no warning prior to the shade unrolling while the vehicle was moving. Look up ODI 11522755 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11688242 On [XXX], while traveling in our FR3 RV to a funeral in Ohio, we experienced a serious safety failure. As we drove through heavy traffic in Cincinnati, the refrigerator detached from the wall and fell into the cabin, forcing my husband to swerve suddenly and nearly causing an accident. It fell right into the dinette seating where our grandchildren often sit to color or I sit to work. This incident resulted in significant damage to the surrounding interior and could have resulted in death or injury. The following day, while returning from the f… Look up ODI 11688242 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Exterior Lighting	2100.0% ODI 10820922 THE ORIGINAL HEAD LAMP MODULES ARE ABSOLUTELY USELESS AND MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY COACH AT NIGHT BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE INADEQUATE LIGHTING THAT FOREST RIVER HAD ORIGINALLY INSTALLED ON THE FR3. FOREST RIVER IS WELL AWARE OF THE DEFICIENCY AS THEY HAVE CHANGED TO THE UPDATED MODULE SOMEWHERE AROUND THE MIDYEAR 2015'S. FOREST RIVER RECEIVED NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FROM THE DEALERS AND THE FORUM BUT REFUSED TO HELP CUSTOMERS WHO DID NOT COMPLAIN LOUD ENOUGH OR LONG ENOUGH. I SUPPOSE NOT BEING… Look up ODI 10820922 at NHTSA ↗	2100.0% ODI 11022199 · 19,000 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER FR3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME DIM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE RAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SELL HIM REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. UPDATED 11/03/17LJ UPDATED 11/13/2017JS *DT CONSUMER STATED HIS NEPHEW HELPED TO A… Look up ODI 11022199 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11124652 · 12,500 mi SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS UNDER 30MPH, OVER BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS (MOST RECENTLY A RAILROAD CROSSING) THE FRONT END BEGINS TO VIBRATE, SHAKE AND BOUNCE VIOLENTLY INCREASING IN INTENSITY UNTIL STOPPED COMPLETELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 9 TIMES IN NON-TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. THE 10TH TIME, WHILE TRAVELING IN SINGLE LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC I WAS FORCED INTO A TREE LINED EMBANKMENT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO STOP AND AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION. AGAIN I WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY NORMALLY BUT SUSTAINED DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION TO PARTS OF MY V… Look up ODI 11124652 at NHTSA ↗	133.3% ODI 11016350 · 6,500 mi OVERHANG TOO MUCH FOR SUSPENSION AND SHOCKS PLACED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT WHEN NOT LOADED, OR PULLING ANYTHING, WHEN UTILIZING COMMON SIMPLE DRIVEWAYS (COMMON ANGLES FOUND IN HOMES, SHOPPING CENTERS AND RELATED). THE DEFECT CAUSES THE HITCH TO BE DRAGGED CAUSING SPARKS AND IT DAMAGES THE SEVEN WAY PLUG AND HOUSING RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE BOTTOMING OUT IMPACTS THE FRAME CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION, FUEL TANK MOUNTING, FRAME, AND UNKNOWN OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS BASED ON THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN. Look up ODI 11016350 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 11438906 Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 V8 chassis. When bringing the RV in for other service, the Ford dealer noticed that one of the bolts was missing from the rear sway bar. Further inspection showed that the coupling used to attach the sway bar was seriously deformed. This had a negative impact on the steering/handling of the RV in windy weather and when being passed by semis, RVs, and local delivery box trucks. We had to wait about a month for the parts to come in and be installed. A quick google will show this … Look up ODI 11438906 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	133.3% ODI 11016350 · 6,500 mi OVERHANG TOO MUCH FOR SUSPENSION AND SHOCKS PLACED ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT WHEN NOT LOADED, OR PULLING ANYTHING, WHEN UTILIZING COMMON SIMPLE DRIVEWAYS (COMMON ANGLES FOUND IN HOMES, SHOPPING CENTERS AND RELATED). THE DEFECT CAUSES THE HITCH TO BE DRAGGED CAUSING SPARKS AND IT DAMAGES THE SEVEN WAY PLUG AND HOUSING RENDERING THEM USELESS. THE BOTTOMING OUT IMPACTS THE FRAME CAUSING UNKNOWN DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION, FUEL TANK MOUNTING, FRAME, AND UNKNOWN OTHER CRITICAL COMPONENTS BASED ON THE DEFECTIVE DESIGN. Look up ODI 11016350 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11688242 On [XXX], while traveling in our FR3 RV to a funeral in Ohio, we experienced a serious safety failure. As we drove through heavy traffic in Cincinnati, the refrigerator detached from the wall and fell into the cabin, forcing my husband to swerve suddenly and nearly causing an accident. It fell right into the dinette seating where our grandchildren often sit to color or I sit to work. This incident resulted in significant damage to the surrounding interior and could have resulted in death or injury. The following day, while returning from the f… Look up ODI 11688242 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11570219 UNKNOWN Reading Facebook message boards for FR3 and Georgetown motorhomes became aware of possible propane mount cracking and possibility of propane tank falling out while driving. Upon looking at propane tank mounts, rear mount is cracked. Failure could result in propane tank falling out while driving and cause fire. Look up ODI 11570219 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	1100.0% ODI 11688242 On [XXX], while traveling in our FR3 RV to a funeral in Ohio, we experienced a serious safety failure. As we drove through heavy traffic in Cincinnati, the refrigerator detached from the wall and fell into the cabin, forcing my husband to swerve suddenly and nearly causing an accident. It fell right into the dinette seating where our grandchildren often sit to color or I sit to work. This incident resulted in significant damage to the surrounding interior and could have resulted in death or injury. The following day, while returning from the f… Look up ODI 11688242 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Tank Assembly	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	150.0% ODI 11570219 UNKNOWN Reading Facebook message boards for FR3 and Georgetown motorhomes became aware of possible propane mount cracking and possibility of propane tank falling out while driving. Upon looking at propane tank mounts, rear mount is cracked. Failure could result in propane tank falling out while driving and cause fire. Look up ODI 11570219 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 11438904 Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 Chassis with the V8 engine. Our unit was recalled for potentially insufficient axle lubricant. After Ford replaced the bearings, our anti-skid, ABS, and cruise-control stopped working with indicators showing that on the dash. The Ford dealer believes the problem is with the tone ring. It has been several months and the Ford dealer is unable to obtain a tone-ring. Meanwhile, the RV continues not to have these important safety features. Look up ODI 11438904 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Steering	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	120.0% ODI 11438906 Our 2021 Forest River FR3 34DS is built on the 2020 Ford F53 V8 chassis. When bringing the RV in for other service, the Ford dealer noticed that one of the bolts was missing from the rear sway bar. Further inspection showed that the coupling used to attach the sway bar was seriously deformed. This had a negative impact on the steering/handling of the RV in windy weather and when being passed by semis, RVs, and local delivery box trucks. We had to wait about a month for the parts to come in and be installed. A quick google will show this … Look up ODI 11438906 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Unknown Or Other	Too few reports for a range	10,100 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11149731 · 10,100 mi THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED A LOCK OUT FROM RV, HAVE LOOKED AT FOREST RIVER FORUM AND READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EITHER LOCKED IN OR LOCKED OUT, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EITHER CLIMB OUT OR IN AN OPEN WINDOW OR USE THE EMERGENCY EXIT.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WORKING FINE DURING ANY AND ALL CAMPING TRIPS, THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM Look up ODI 11149731 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2022: 2 complaints · 2023: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2022	0	1	2
2023	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2022	2	0	0
2023	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Unknown Or Other
Unknown Or Other	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

0 patterns with matching reports.

No narratives match the published patterns.