NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Forest River Charleston Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Forest River Charleston has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Forest River dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Forest River Charleston. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2016 Forest River Charleston owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2016 Forest River Charleston, describing incidents dated August 7, 2015.

Most-cited components

Steering 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10747016 · Filed August 7, 2015
THIS MOTORHOME WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF MAY 2015. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SOME TIME IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CONDITION WAS GETTING WORSE. I SCHEDULED THE MOTORHOME FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN THIS…

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Power Steering Fluid Leak or Electrical Arcing

NHTSA #18V179000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported March 19, 2018 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 416 vehicles

Forest River campaign 51-0665 · Owners notified April 13, 2018 · Vehicles built March 31, 2015 – September 28, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire, 2012-2017 Forest River Charleston, 2013-2015 Coachmen Cross Country and Pathfinder, and 2014-2015 Glaval Synergy motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.

Safety consequence

Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712, Forest River customer service at 1-574-295-2117, Coachmen customer service at 1-574-825-8212, or Glaval customer service at 1-574-343-5167. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0665.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #17V756000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 2017 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 365,885 vehicles

Repair completion: 8.47% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 51-0544 · Owners notified December 27, 2017 · Vehicles built February 1, 2002 – October 17, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 trailers and 2009-2018 Coachmen Mirada, Pursuit, Concord, Leprechaun, Freelander, Orion and Prism motorhomes, 2009-2017 Coachmen Apex and Catalina recreational trailers, and 2013-2017 Shasta Oasis and Revere recreational trailers, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Safety consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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 click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0544.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Engine Brake may not Activate

NHTSA #16V472000 · Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal · NHTSA notice

Reported June 28, 2016 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 138 vehicles

Forest River campaign 40-06202016-0214 · Owners notified August 4, 2016 · Vehicles built September 16, 2013 – December 10, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Charleston vehicles manufactured September 16, 2013, to December 10, 2015 and assembled on a Freightliner chassis built by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). The throttle pedal position sensor on the affected vehicles may not return to zero, causing the engine brake to suddenly not activate as expected, reducing the vehicle's deceleration ability.

Safety consequence

A sudden loss of an engine brake without warning on a motorhome may lead to a reduced brake capacity, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will replace the pedal, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks Customer Service Department at 1-800-547-0712 or by E-mail at [email protected]. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-06202016-0214.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Trailer Brakes may Remain Activated

NHTSA #16V330000 · Service Brakes, Electric · NHTSA notice

Reported May 20, 2016 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 147 vehicles

Forest River campaign 40-05132016-0196 · Owners notified June 23, 2016 · Vehicles built September 16, 2013 – September 25, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Charleston Class A motorhomes manufactured from September 16, 2013, through September 25, 2016, and built on certain Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) chassis. On certain motorhome chassis built with a heavier, adjustable foot pedal, the brake activation signal to certain towed devices may not deactivate when the motorhome service brakes are released.

Safety consequence

If the brake activation signal to a towed device remains active when the motorhome chassis service brakes are released, the brakes on a towed device may remain engaged. As a result, the brakes could drag and overheat potentially resulting in a fire. Additionally, following drivers may be confused by the motorhome's actions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will modify the affected brake assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1-800-547-0712. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-05132016-0196.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Water Heater May Scald Operator

NHTSA #15V771000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Water Heater · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2015 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 489 vehicles

Repair completion: 14.93% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 51-11092015-0107 · Owners notified December 17, 2015 · Vehicles built March 31, 2015 – September 30, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.

Safety consequence

The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440, or Atwood customer service at 1-574-264-2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2016 Forest River Charleston. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Forest River Charleston.

Steering

ODI #10747016

Incident: August 7, 2015 · Filed: August 7, 2015

THIS MOTORHOME WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF MAY 2015. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SOME TIME IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CONDITION WAS GETTING WORSE. I SCHEDULED THE MOTORHOME FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN THIS MORNING FOR THAT ALIGNMENT. IMMEDIATELY UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE ALIGNMENT TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THAT THE TIE ROD TUBE THAT CONNECTS THE FRONT WHEELS HAD NEVER BEEN TIGHTENED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SINCE THIS TUBE WAS ALLOWED TO FREELY ROTATE, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, THE STEERING WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE THE TUBE HAD UNSCREWED TO THE END OF IT'S TRAVEL. THIS MAY BE A DEFECT ON OTHER VEHICLES OR IT MAY BE UNIQUE TO THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/24/2015*JS

Other Forest River Charleston model years

Check your 2016 Forest River Charleston VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Forest River Charleston at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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