NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Forest River Flagstaff Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Forest River Flagstaff has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints 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 2013 Forest River Flagstaff. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2013 Forest River Flagstaff owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Forest River Flagstaff, describing incidents dated June 29, 2013 to September 4, 2018.

Most-cited components

Equipment 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Structure 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11124513 · Filed September 5, 2018
TOWING TRAILER ON HIGHWAY. SPEED WAS 60 MPH. TRAILER HAS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SWAYING. PULLED OF HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE TIRES TO FIND FOOTBALL SIZED BUBBLE IN ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES. THE TIRES ARE KENDA KARRIER…
ODI #10957202 · Filed February 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT AND IT WAS UNKNOWN ON THE TIRE FAILURE LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK AFTER THE SPARE WAS INSTALLED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V554000…
ODI #10733568 · Filed July 13, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZING JACK FAILED AND ONLY CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. MA 10/16/15

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Forest River Flagstaff in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ14-004: Trailer tire may contact floor
Closed July 9, 2015

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Trailer Tire May Contact the Floor

NHTSA #13V554000 · Suspension — Rear — Axle — Non-Powered Axle Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported November 7, 2013 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 721 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.41% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 3, 2014 · Vehicles built February 3, 2012 – February 4, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Rockwood, Windjammer, Vlite and Flagstaff travel trailers manufactured February 3, 2012, through February 4, 2013. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.

Safety consequence

As a result, the tire may become damaged and possibly blow out which may cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will add a lift kit between the frame and the axle mounting brackets, free of charge. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-825-7178.

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.

Unexpected Unfurling of the Awning

NHTSA #13V203000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported May 17, 2013 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 9,526 vehicles

Owners notified July 29, 2013 · Vehicles built February 13, 2013 – April 18, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral, Concord, Encounter, Freedom Express, Freelander, Leprechaun, Mirada, Pursuit, and Sportcoach; Prime Time models Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Saniber, and Tracer; Palomino model Maverick Truck Camper; Cargo Mate model Eliminator and Shasta models Revere, Phoenix recreational vehicles manufactured from February 13, 2013, through April 18, 2013. Due to a design change in the power awning motor assembly, the motor assembly screws may unknowingly shear.

Safety consequence

If the motor assembly screws shear, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the vehicle is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 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 2013 Forest River Flagstaff. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Forest River Flagstaff.

Wheels

ODI #11124513

Incident: September 4, 2018 · Filed: September 5, 2018

TOWING TRAILER ON HIGHWAY. SPEED WAS 60 MPH. TRAILER HAS EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF SWAYING. PULLED OF HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE TIRES TO FIND FOOTBALL SIZED BUBBLE IN ONE OF THE SIDEWALLS OF THE TIRES. THIS COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLES. THE TIRES ARE KENDA KARRIER LOAD STAR ST205/75R14

Suspension; Tires

ODI #10957202

Incident: February 20, 2017 · Filed: February 27, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT AND IT WAS UNKNOWN ON THE TIRE FAILURE LOCATION. THE CONTACT STATED A WEEK AFTER THE SPARE WAS INSTALLED, THE TIRE EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRE. CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V554000 (SUSPENSION, TIRES) HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL AND THEY WOULD NEED TO USE THEIR INSURANCE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Equipment

ODI #10733568

Incident: July 6, 2015 · Filed: July 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAGSTAFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STABILIZING JACK FAILED AND ONLY CLOSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000. MA 10/16/15

Structure; Unknown or Other

ODI #10598344

Incident: June 15, 2014 · Filed: June 15, 2014

AXLE IS TOO CLOSE TO TRAILER BODY CAUSING TIRE RUB AND ALSO DAMAGE TO BODY OF TRAILER. *JS

Tires

ODI #10541840

Incident: July 23, 2013 · Filed: September 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FOREST RIVER FLAG STAFF FIFTH WHEEL WITH LIONS HEAD TRAIL EXPRESS TIRES (N/A), SIZE:225-75-15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/12/13*CN THE TIRE COMPANY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE NOT CORRECT FOR THE LOAD RANGE. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL OF THE TIRES. UPDATED 11/19/13

Suspension; Equipment

ODI #10538519

Incident: June 29, 2013 · Filed: September 3, 2013

ON 6/19/13 WE LEFT FROM BURLINGTON, WI - CLINTON, NY WITH OUR TRAILER. ON OUR DRIVE BACK TO WI, WE HAD STOPPED AT A TRUCK STOP IN INDIANA AROUND 10:30 PM ON 6/28 TO GET FUEL & SNACKS FROM THE TRAILER. ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME WE REALIZED THAT THE OUTSIDE LATCH DOOR THAT COVERED THE OUTDOOR REFRIGERATOR HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR ITSELF HAD BEEN RIPPED OFF, & BOTH SETS OF STEPS WERE BENT BY THE DOORS COMING OFF & HOLES & DENTS DOWN THE BOTTOM/LOWER SIDE OF THE CAMPER. THE TIRES ON THE CAMPER HAD WORN THROUGH THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE CAMPER & THERE WAS LESS THAN 1? OF CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TIRES & TRAILER BOTTOM. WE CONTACTED SCENIC RV & WERE TOLD TO BRING THE TRAILER BACK. THE MANGER CONTACTED US MON. MORNING & STATED THAT THERE WAS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE & THE CLEARANCE ON THE TRAILER. WE BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE BOUNCING OFF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRAILER & WITH ALL OF THE VIBRATION, IT CAUSED THE LATCH DOOR TO BOUNCE OUT OF THE LOCK CATCH ( ?DEEP) & FLY OFF. WE CONTACTED FOREST RIVER & THEY TOLD US THAT THERE WERE NO MANUFACTURING ISSUES & THE AXLES WERE CORRECT FOR THAT TRAILER. AFTER A LOT OF CORRESPONDENCE TO THE DEALERSHIP, FOREST RIVER & DEXTER AXLE WE FOUND OUT THAT THE AXLES SPEC?D FOR THE TRAILER WERE NOT THE AXLES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON OUR TRAILER. WE TALKED WITH A WOMAN IN THE WARRANTY DEPT. & AFTER I READ HER THE SERIAL NUMBERS FROM THE AXLES, SHE STATED THAT THOSE WERE NOT THE AXLES SPEC?D FOR OUR TRAILER. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MORE FOREST RIVER TRAILER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE AXLES REPLACED WHILE OTHERS HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE DEALERSHIPS INSTALL & DEXTER LIFT KIT UNDER THE TRAILER TO RAISE IT UP. THERE ARE MULTIPLE STORIES ON THE FOREST RIVER FORUM THAT DETAIL THIS ISSUE. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE TRAVELING LATE AT NIGHT WHEN THOSE DOORS FLEW OFF; SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *JB

Other Forest River Flagstaff model years

Check your 2013 Forest River Flagstaff VIN

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

Check a Forest River VIN