2016 Palomino COLUMBUS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 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: 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
2017: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 10993683 · 2017-06-07 (June 7, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PALOMINO COLUMBUS RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VOLTAGE WIRING MELTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE CABIN. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RON HOOVER RV & MARINE OF WEST HOUSTON; 29029, KATY FWY, KATY, TX 77494; [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RV WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT [phone removed], BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN THE CALL. THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10993683 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗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: 2026-10-01.
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.
| Component | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1381.3%ODI 10546092 · 500 miI HAVE NOTICED SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED OUR COLUMBUS 340RK FIFTH WHEEL THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT FEEL ADEQUATE. HOWEVER, BEING A FIRST TIME OWNER OF SUCH A BIG TRAILER I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS NORMAL OR NOT. ON OR ABOUT 2 SEPTEMBER 2013 WE ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DESCENDING A STEEP GRADE. UPON INSPECTING THE BRAKES I DISCOVERED THAT THREE OF THE FOUR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES HAD DEFECTIVE INNER WHEEL GREASE SEAL THAT ALLOWED GREASE TO COMPLETELY COAT THE BRAKES. I CALLED LIPPERT (LCI) TO REPORT MY SITUATION AND THE FACT THAT THERE WE… | 1583.3%ODI 10544291 · 300 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FOREST RIVER COLUMBUS FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 28 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITH A DELAYED RESPONSE. THE CONTACT SWERVED AND THEN CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER OF THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND REAR BUMPER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BECAME SLIGHTLY DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WOULD NE… | 1100.0%ODI 10638310 · 10,500 miTHE GREASE SEALS LEAKED ON 2 WHEELS. THE LEAK WAS CAUGHT IN TIME TO PREVENT BRAKE DAMAGE ON 1 WHEEL BUT THE LEAKING GREASE DESTROYED THE BRAKE PADS ON THE 2ND WHEEL. I WAS AWARE (BECAUSE OF THE MANY RV FORUMS) OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE WITH LIPPERT COMPONENTS ON COLUMBUS RV'S & CONTINUED TO MONITOR MINE. THAT IS WHY IT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Wheels | 150.0%ODI 10595349 · 2,000 miWHILE DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH NEAR EXIT 73, WE WERE PULLED OVER BY A NC HIGHWAY PATROL. THE TROOPER NOTICED SOMETHING WOBBLING UNDER MY 37' FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND A GRAPEFRUIT SIZE BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TRAILER TIRE. HAD I CONTINUED DRIVING, THE TIRE COULD HAVE EXPLODED WHEN THE BUBBLE POPPED. THE TIRE PRESSURES WERE CHECKED 1 HOUR EARLIER, PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR OUR TRIP. THEY WERE ALL AT THE SPECIFIED 80 PSI.I DON'T DRIVE OVER 65 MPH AND WHEN THE TRAILER IS IN STORAGE, THE TIRES ARE COVERED TO REDUCE UV E… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 527.8%ODI 10563591BRAKE SEALS ARE OVER GREASED OR BROKEN. WE'VE HAD OUR UNIT GO BACK TO THE MANUFACTURERS FACTORY FOR WORK & HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES & SEALS. THE UNIT CAME BACK WITH DIFFERENT WHEELS AND BRAKES BUT THE ISSUE OF LITERALLY HAVING LITTLE TO NO BRAKES WHEN PULLING WAS MOST DEFINITELY STILL THERE. LIPPERT MAKES THE BRAKE & PARTS AND WE TRIED CONTACTING THEM ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. WE WERE NOT HELPED MUCH AT ALL. WE VOICED OUR PROBLEM TO LIPPE VIA PHONE, EMAIL & THEIR FACEBOOK WALL. THE MANUFACTURER OF OUR UNIT SAYS IT'S LIPPERTS PROBLEM. ALL IT… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 318.8%ODI 10560304 · 6,000 miTHE LIPPERT 6K AXLE ON THE LISTED 5TH WHEEL TRAILER, WHEEL SEALS FAILED ALLOWING GREASE TO CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE SHOES, DIMINISHING OR ELIMINATING BRAKING ABILITY OF THE TRAILER. THIS IS AN ON GOING AND RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM WITH THESE AXLES, NOT JUST ON THE COLUMBUS/FOREST RIVER LINE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Structure | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 211.1%ODI 11060769TL* THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TOWING A 2014 PALOMINO COLUMBUS ON A 2012 RAM 2500. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER DETACHED FROM THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Tires | 2100.0%ODI 10595349 · 2,000 miWHILE DRIVING ON I-95 SOUTH NEAR EXIT 73, WE WERE PULLED OVER BY A NC HIGHWAY PATROL. THE TROOPER NOTICED SOMETHING WOBBLING UNDER MY 37' FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND A GRAPEFRUIT SIZE BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TRAILER TIRE. HAD I CONTINUED DRIVING, THE TIRE COULD HAVE EXPLODED WHEN THE BUBBLE POPPED. THE TIRE PRESSURES WERE CHECKED 1 HOUR EARLIER, PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR OUR TRIP. THEY WERE ALL AT THE SPECIFIED 80 PSI.I DON'T DRIVE OVER 65 MPH AND WHEN THE TRAILER IS IN STORAGE, THE TIRES ARE COVERED TO REDUCE UV E… | 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. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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. | 1100.0%ODI 10993683 · 200 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PALOMINO COLUMBUS RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VOLTAGE WIRING MELTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE CABIN. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RON HOOVER RV & MARINE OF WEST HOUSTON; 29029, KATY FWY, KATY, TX 77494; [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RV WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT [phone removed], BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN THE CALL. THE MANUFAC… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 10566135GREASE CONTAMINATION ON BRAKE LININGS --- 7000 LBS CAPACITY LIPPERT AXLES [COMPLAINT FILED BY BOWMAN (ODI) AFTER PHONE CONVERSATION WITH OWNER]. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 10864568 · 80 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER COLUMBUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN OF THE RV HAD BECOME VERY SOFT. THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo 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 | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | Too few reports for a range | 200 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10993683 · 200 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 PALOMINO COLUMBUS RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VOLTAGE WIRING MELTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM THE CABIN. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (RON HOOVER RV & MARINE OF WEST HOUSTON; 29029, KATY FWY, KATY, TX 77494; [phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE RV WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT [phone removed], BUT THEY DID NOT RETURN THE CALL. THE MANUFAC… |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
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
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | 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.
2018: 1 complaints · 2021: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 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 | Electrical System |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | — |
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.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.