The 2003 Forest River Salem has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 601,302 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the equipment. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT17V7560002017-11-22365,885 affected
Defect
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2003-2018 Forest River Berkshire, Charleston, Rockport, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Riverstone, Salem, Sandpiper, Sierra, Vengeance, Wildcat, Wildwood, XLR Boost, Cargo Mate, Continental Cargo, motorhomes, recreational trailers, toyhaulers, cargo trailers and restroom…
Consequence
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on December 27, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and…
EQUIPMENT08V3460002008-07-07107,417 affected
Defect
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE…
Consequence
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN…
EQUIPMENT07V0850002007-03-05128,000 affected
Defect
CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence
RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
FOREST RIVER WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST…
Complaints by component
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
1
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
1
TIRES
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 forest river salem travel trailer. The vehicle has a dometic refrigerator, model rm2652. The refrigerator was repaired in june of 2005 because it would not cool. The contact received a safety recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 06e076000 (equipment: recreational…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 forest river. The vehicle has a dometic refrigerator, model rm2652. He spoke with a representative from dometic (asia, 21841034) in january of 2008, and was informed that they would call him back once they reached massachusetts and would be covered. The contact called…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 forest river cherokee fifth wheel (na). While the vehicle was parked, the grey water tank fell off. The tank, which could weigh up to 400 pounds, was secured with only four screws. The contact spoke with the dealer and they advised him to call the manufacturer. The…”
“I purchased a forest river 38' sand piper sport f37sp toy hauler fifth wheel new in 2003. The trailer was equiped with tandom axels. We experianced numerous tire blow outs. Each time the tire would blow it would blow up with pieces of rubber flying every where causing excessive damage to the rv…”
“I purchased a forest river 38' sand piper sport f37sp toy hauler fifth wheel new in 2003. The trailer was equiped with tandom axels. We experianced numerous tire blow outs. Each time the tire would blow it would blow up with pieces of rubber flying every where causing excessive damage to the rv…”
“Problems with accelerated tire wear on a 5th wheel travel trailer. I have a cedar creek 5th wheel model year 2003, manufactured 11.02, model # 30rlbs. The trailer has 5200# axles manufactured by al-kober and they are causing extreme tire wear on the inside edges of the tires. Have spoken to al-ko…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 forest river salem. The contact smelled smoke in his fifth wheel trailer. He detected smoke and immediately went outside to disconnect the wires. The fire department was not called and the dealer was not notified. No other vehicle information was applicable.”
“Drove over two or three rough bridges. Leaf springs on left side of trailer flattened & lost their support, causing the tires to rub on underside of trailer with a breaking action to that side, causing travel trailer to go out of control. Trailer was declared a total loss by insurance company due…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Forest River Salem as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.