2003 Forest River SUNSEEKER: complaints, problems and recalls

THE RV HAS SIDE AND REAR CAMERAS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THE CAMERA IMAGES ARE TO BE SEEN, BY THE DRIVER, THROUGH THE DASH RADIO SCREEN. THE WAY THE RADIO IS MOUNTED IN THE DASH OF THE RV, THESE IMAGES CANNOT BE SEEN BY THE DRIVER OF THE RV, DO TO A GLARE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.

Look up ODI 11081138 at NHTSA ↗

FLEX PROPANE HOSE FROM MAIN PIPE TO STOVE/OVEN. WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND RUBBED AGAINST DRIVELINE WHILE DRIVING.

Look up ODI 11185566 at NHTSA ↗

The mounting bracket for the leveling system hydraulic pump dislodged from the frame - the weld broke. The hydralic reservoir tank falls to the pavement and can cause a serious accident and/or fire. I see Jayco issued a recall for the exact same issue (Bulletin #(s): 20V-780 US Units 2021-009 CN Units). Forest River has not. There are other discussions of this problem on the Forest River forums - [XXX] [XXX] There were no warnings of any kind. I am working with the manufacturer but they are saying it is our of warrany. This is a dangero…

Look up ODI 11603505 at NHTSA ↗

we have no recourse our dealer is closed

Look up ODI 11630596 at NHTSA ↗

The message center displayed “Service Advance Trac” and the cruise control stopped working. Right after this event the steering wheel was no longer straight when driving straight but angled counterclockwise about 30 degrees. After this happened the warning always comes back and the cruise shuts off after starting the engine and driving a minute or two. The steering wheel has remained at the angled position when driving straight.

Look up ODI 11500837 at NHTSA ↗

The leveling system failed under load including bent frame brackets. The system is under engineered for the load weight of the vehicle. I have pictures of previous year leveler design and it is clear that the redesign is not sufficient to safely level the vehicle

Look up ODI 11590310 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER. UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE LOCATED ON THE PROPANE TANK WAS FRACTURED AND LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE A REMEDY WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,290. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10876366 at NHTSA ↗

My 2021 Chevy 4500 is an RV, anyway last September 2023. I was on a 2 1/2-week vacation driving on [XXX] near Lacy Washington and was in the middle lane moving over to the slow lane when the vehicle just stalled. I had just made it off the freeway by a few feet, I seriously thought we were going to get rear ended, especially by a truck because a majority were not moving over. They were rocking our RV as they passed us. The RV ended up starting and running good not stalling again, but it was at times difficult to start. We ended up taking it hom…

Look up ODI 11576424 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER MOTOR HOME. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BEDROOM SLIDE WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE CONTACT JIGGLED THE WIRING AND THE BED SLID IN; HOWEVER, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE GROUND WIRE AND THE CLICKING SOUND STOPPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE MOTOR HOME TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MOTOR HOME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APP…

Look up ODI 10706296 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CRUISE-CONTROL AND HILL ASSIST DEACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AS THE HILL ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 72 MPH WITH CRUISE-CONTROL ACTIVATED, SUDDENLY, THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE SERVICE ADVANCE TRAC, PRE-COLLISION ASSIST NOT AVAILABLE AND THE HILL START ASSIST N…

Look up ODI 11350024 at NHTSA ↗

While performing an under vehicle safety and integrity inspection the following potential Personnel Safety item was noted. The outlet hose from the gas regulator of the on board propane tank to the vehicle distribution manifold is severely stressed and kinked due to the hose short length and restricted bend radius. The physical state of all surfaces of the hose can not be verified in the subject area. The restriction not only poses a flow concern but also accelerated cracking, and thus a fire and/ or explosion concern.

Look up ODI 11495649 at NHTSA ↗

The mounting bracket for the leveling system hydraulic pump dislodged from the frame - the weld broke. The hydralic reservoir tank falls to the pavement and can cause a serious accident and/or fire. I see Jayco issued a recall for the exact same issue (Bulletin #(s): 20V-780 US Units 2021-009 CN Units). Forest River has not. There are other discussions of this problem on the Forest River forums - [XXX] [XXX] There were no warnings of any kind. I am working with the manufacturer but they are saying it is our of warrany. This is a dangero…

Look up ODI 11603505 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER SUNSEEKER. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND THE BATTERY DID NOT CHARGE THE SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED COMPLETE CAR & RV REPAIR (3309 NEW TOWN BLVD, ST CHARLES, MO 63301, [phone removed]) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V251000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,600. T…

Look up ODI 11254068 at NHTSA ↗

CURT CONTROLLER IS FAILING IN WET CONDITIONS. CURT CONTROLLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, REVERSE LIGHTS, BASICALLY ANY EXTERNAL SAFETY LIGHTING ON THE RV THAT INDICATES YOU'RE STOPPING OR TURNING. FOREST RIVER PLACED THE CURT CONTROLLER ON THE REAR BUMPER, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE WHEELS WHERE ROAD SPRAY WILL GET DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CURT CONTROLLER SPECIFICALLY STATES ON THEIR WEBSITE THAT IT SHOULD BE PLACED IN A DRY INTERNAL AREA OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS ALL THE L…

Look up ODI 10870733 at NHTSA ↗

THE TAIL LIGHTS AND REVERSE LIGHTS ARE NOT WATERPROOF, THERE IS NO GASKET TO STOP WATER FROM ENTERING THE LENS AND FILLING UP WITH WATER. THERE IS A RECALL ON OTHER FOREST RIVE REAR TAIL LIGHT FILLING WITH WATER. I CALLED FOREST RIVER AND TOLD THEM THAT THERE WAS A HALF INCH OF WATER IN THE TAIL LIGHTS AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT UP WITH THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE UNIT , AND ALSO WAS TOLD YOU ARE THE SECOND OWNER SO THERE IS NO WARRANTY IN EFFECT. I ASKED IF THEY HAD DIFFERENT REAR LIGHTS THAT WERE SEALED AND THAT I WOULD REPLACE THEM , …

Look up ODI 11183485 at NHTSA ↗

The message center displayed “Service Advance Trac” and the cruise control stopped working. Right after this event the steering wheel was no longer straight when driving straight but angled counterclockwise about 30 degrees. After this happened the warning always comes back and the cruise shuts off after starting the engine and driving a minute or two. The steering wheel has remained at the angled position when driving straight.

Look up ODI 11500837 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the steering wheel locked and failed to turn. The vehicle was restarted and the steering warning message was displayed with the steering wheel continued to be locked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,200.

Look up ODI 11620228 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2019 Forest River Sunseeker RV. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine service it was discovered that the rooftop solar panel was no longer attached to the vehicle. The contact was informed by the mechanic that the panel was missing and possibly detached while the vehicle was being driven on the highway. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 16,115.

Look up ODI 11460475 at NHTSA ↗