NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Forest River FR3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Forest River FR3 has 2 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 FR3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Forest River FR3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2016 Forest River FR3, describing incidents dated October 29, 2018.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11149731 · Filed November 6, 2018
THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED A LOCK OUT FROM RV, HAVE LOOKED AT FOREST RIVER FORUM AND READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EITHER LOCKED IN OR LOCKED OUT, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EITHER CLIMB OUT OR IN AN OPEN WINDOW OR USE THE EMERGENCY EXIT.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WORKING FINE DURING ANY…

Read the full complaint

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Forest River FR3 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.

Preliminary Evaluation PE20-021: Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures
Closed December 13, 2024

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Aluminum Ladder Hinge may Separate

NHTSA #16V828000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported November 15, 2016 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 1,104 vehicles

Repair completion: 32.52% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 51-11102016-0271 · Owners notified January 3, 2017 · Vehicles built September 24, 2014 – May 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the hinges separate from the ladder while in use, the ladder may fall from the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Transmission can Shift Without Pressing Brake

NHTSA #15V726000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 2015 · Forest River, Inc.

Potentially affected: 217 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Forest River campaign 51-10302015-0105 · Owners notified December 3, 2015 · Vehicles built August 7, 2015 – October 22, 2015 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Forest River FR3 and Georgetown, and Coachmen Mirada and Pursuit recreational vehicles manufactured August 7, 2015, to October 22, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.

Safety consequence

If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on December 3, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-800-392-3673. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-10302015-0105.

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 FR3. 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 FR3.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11149731

Incident: October 29, 2018 · Filed: November 6, 2018

THE DOOR LATCH FAILED AND CAUSED A LOCK OUT FROM RV, HAVE LOOKED AT FOREST RIVER FORUM AND READ THAT A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE BEEN EITHER LOCKED IN OR LOCKED OUT, THE ONLY SOLUTION IS EITHER CLIMB OUT OR IN AN OPEN WINDOW OR USE THE EMERGENCY EXIT.THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WORKING FINE DURING ANY AND ALL CAMPING TRIPS, THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING OF A PROBLEM

Other Forest River FR3 model years

Check your 2016 Forest River FR3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Forest River FR3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Forest River VIN