2021 Forest River FR3: complaints, problems and recalls

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 11/03/17*LJ UPDATED 11/13/2017*JS *DT CONSUMER STATED HIS NEPHEW HELPED TO A…

Look up ODI 11022199 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗

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 ↗