NHTSA vehicle safety data

2014 Palomino Columbus Recalls & Complaints

The 2014 Palomino Columbus has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 18 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Palomino dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2014 Palomino Columbus. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2014 Palomino Columbus owner complaints

Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Palomino Columbus, describing incidents dated March 25, 2013 to November 8, 2018.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 15 complaints
Wheels 5 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Tires 1 complaint

Of the 18 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 18 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11299830 · Filed January 13, 2020
I OWN A 2014 PALAMINO COLUMBUS 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. THERE IS A SMALL CRACK IN THE FRONT CORNER OF THE BEDROOM SLIDE OUT. THE COLUMBUS FACEBOOK PAGE IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. FOREST RIVER HAS FIXED SOME UNITS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM…
ODI #11060769 · Filed January 5, 2018
TL* 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…
ODI #10811184 · Filed December 18, 2015
ON JULY 10, 2014 MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A COLUMBUS 340 RK FIFTH WHEEL MADE BY FOREST RIVER. UPON DELIVERY AUGUST 14TH 2014 WE NOTICED IMMEDIATE DEFECTS AND CALLED RV WHOLESALERS TO NOTIFY OF THE ISSUES. SINCE WE HAD A TRIPPED PLANNED WITH THE 5TH WHEEL TO DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS MY WIFE AND…

Read all 18 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2014 Palomino Columbus 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 PE14-008: Brake Surface Grease Contamination
Closed October 7, 2014

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)

Manufacturer campaign 51-11102016-0271 · Owners notified January 3, 2017 · Vehicles built October 4, 2012 – December 4, 2015 (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.

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 · 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 2014 Palomino Columbus. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

18 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2014 Palomino Columbus.

Structure

ODI #11299830

Incident: November 8, 2018 · Filed: January 13, 2020

I OWN A 2014 PALAMINO COLUMBUS 5TH WHEEL CAMPER. THERE IS A SMALL CRACK IN THE FRONT CORNER OF THE BEDROOM SLIDE OUT. THE COLUMBUS FACEBOOK PAGE IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. FOREST RIVER HAS FIXED SOME UNITS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY ADMIT THAT THERE IS A STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WITH THE FRAMES OF THE CAMPERS. LIPPERT IS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FRAME AND IT HAS POOR WELD AND POOR STRUCTURAL SUPPORTS. THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSAND OF THESE UNITS OUT THERE THAT NEED FIXING. I HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY BREAKING IN HALF TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD BUT, ONE WOULD THINK IF THE STRUCTURE GOT WEAK ENOUGH IT MIGHT COLLAPSE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND CAUSE DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURIES. PLEASE VISIT HTTPS://M.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/COLUMBUSRVGROUP/?SOFT=SEARCH THANK YOU. *JS

Structure; Tires

ODI #11060769

Incident: December 11, 2017 · Filed: January 5, 2018

TL* 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.

Service Brakes

ODI #10811184

Incident: September 12, 2014 · Filed: December 18, 2015

ON JULY 10, 2014 MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A COLUMBUS 340 RK FIFTH WHEEL MADE BY FOREST RIVER. UPON DELIVERY AUGUST 14TH 2014 WE NOTICED IMMEDIATE DEFECTS AND CALLED RV WHOLESALERS TO NOTIFY OF THE ISSUES. SINCE WE HAD A TRIPPED PLANNED WITH THE 5TH WHEEL TO DRIVE THROUGH THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS MY WIFE AND I STATED WE WOULD TAKE IT IN FOR REPAIRS AFTER THE TRIP. DURING OUR TRIP I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP OF THE ISSUE. WE AGREED ON A REPAIR SHOP WHERE I DELIVERED THE 5TH WHEEL (SEPT 14, 2014) AND GAVE A LIST OF DEFECTS TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND RV DEALER. BRAKES WERE NUMBER 1 CONCERN. THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND STATED THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BRAKES WERE NEVER WIRED AND COMPLETE (PICTURES WERE SENT) ALSO, ISSUE 2 THE BACKING PLATES FOR THE BRAKES WERE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. IN A NUT SHELL MY 13,800 POUND TRAILER HAD NO BRAKES! CURRENTLY IN A LEMON LAW SUIT AGAINST FOREST RIVER AND NEED MY GOVERNMENTS HELP. RV STILL AT SHOP WITH ZERO WORK DONE TO IT. SITTING SINCE SEPT 2014.

Wheels

ODI #10703238

Incident: April 1, 2015 · Filed: April 1, 2015

THE STUDS SNAP OFF AND THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE NO LONGER SECURED TO THE HUB. THE WHEEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE TRAILER CAUSING IT TO BE A PROJECTILE ON THE HIGHWAY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10661838

Incident: October 13, 2014 · Filed: December 2, 2014

BRAKES WERE SUSPECT, WEAK, INCONSISTENT ACTION. TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPACK AND INSPECT BRAKES. DISCOVERED ALL 4 SEALS FAILED AND ALL FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES WERE COVERED IN GREASE. DEALER CONTACTED MANUFACTURE OF BRAKE ASSEMBLY, LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC., AND THEY REPLACED BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. *JS

Service Brakes

ODI #10653642

Incident: July 12, 2014 · Filed: November 8, 2014

NOTE - AXEL INFO IS: FRONT AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512768, REAR AXEL SERIAL# 045-002512757, NV# 284479, DOM IS 1-16-14. PURCHASED TRAILER NEW WITH FIRST USE IN APRIL 2014. OVER NEXT FEW MONTHS TRAILER WOULD NOT STOP AS EASILY AND QUICKLY AS IT DID WHEN WE FIRST STARTED USING IT. THE CONTINUED REDUCTION IN BRAKING ABILITY OVER TIME REQUIRED THAT I CONTINUE TO INCREASE THE BRAKE CONTROLLER SETTINGS UNTIL I REACHED THE HIGHEST SETTING OF 10. WE DID NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE PULLING THIS TRAILER. ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT I ASKED OUR DEALER TO INSPECT. WHEN THEY DID THEY FOUND THAT 3 WHEELS HAD BLOWN SEALS AND ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS COVERED IN GREASE, THE 4TH WHEEL ALSO HAD A BLOWN SEAL BUT ALTHOUGH IT WAS COMPROMISED IT WAS NOT AS BAD AS THE OTHERS. LIPPERT MFG SENT A MECHANIC TO THE DEALER AND REPLACED ALL FOUR WITH NEW DRUM/BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. I ASKED THE LIPPERT MECHANIC WHAT CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE NEW BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND HE STATED THEY ARE USING NEW SEALS. TRAILER IS NOW IN WINTER STORAGE SO IT WILL BE NEXT SPRING BEFORE WE CAN USE THEN INSPECT AFTER SOME LIMITED USE TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PARTS. *TR

Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #10649929

Incident: October 22, 2014 · Filed: October 25, 2014

TOOK TRAILER TO SHOP BECAUSE BRAKES WERE SLUGGISH AND NOT WORKING WELL. DEALER DISCOVERED ALL SEALS BLOWN AND BRAKES COVERED IN OIL. LINE FOR BRAKES ON FRONT AXLE PINCHED, THEREFORE NO BRAKING ACTION ON FRONT AXLE. HAD TO HAVE ALL FOUR BRAKE UNITS REPLACED AND BRAKE LINE TO FRONT AXLE REPAIRED. MECHANIC STATED THAT GREASE IN AXLES WAS NOT PROPER GRADE, TO THIN. LIPPERT AND COLUMBUS PUT MY FAMILY AND MYSELF IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10649899

Incident: October 9, 2014 · Filed: October 25, 2014

UNIT RETURNED TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION OF IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FROM THE BRAKE MANUFACTURER (LIPPERT COMPONENTS). DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND GREASE IN THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE UNITS. DEALER NOTIFIED FORREST RIVER AND LIPPERT, BOTH SEEM TO BE POINTING TO THE OTHER FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THIS RIG IS 17 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR WARRANTY WORK FOR 7 MONTHS OUT THOSE 17 MONTHS. THE RIG HAS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES OF ROAD TRAVEL ON IT. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD GIVEN THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL POSTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON VARIOUS FORUMS AND MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES. *TR

Service Brakes

ODI #10644965

Incident: August 16, 2013 · Filed: October 15, 2014

BRAKES FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE BRAKING SINCE 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WAS NEW. I COMPLAINED TO COLLIER RV OF ROCKFORD OF POOR BRAKING ABILITY AND ASKED THEM TO INSPECT BRAKES WHICH THEY SAID THEY DID. THIS AUGUST 2014 WHILE AT THE FOREST RIVER OWNERS RALLY IN GOESHEN, INDIANA I TOOK ADVANTAGE OF LIPPERT'S RALLY PRICE ON FORWARD ADJUSTING BRAKES TO BE INSTALLED BECAUSE I WAS NEVER SATISFIED WITH THE 5TH WHEEL BRAKES. WHEN THE LIPPERT TECH. CAME TO INSTALL NEW FORWARD ADJUSTING BRAKES HE FOUND ALL 4 SEALS BLOWN AND 3 OUT OF THE 4 BRAKES WERE COATED WITH GREASE. ONE WHEEL HAD A BAD BEARING ALSO. I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE BRAKES COVERED IN GREASE. AT THE AUGUST 2014 RALLY, I ONLY HAD 1350 MILES ON MY 14 MONTH OLD COLUMBUS 5TH WHEEL. *TR

Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #10644627

Incident: June 6, 2014 · Filed: October 14, 2014

WHEN I PURCHASED MY FIFTH WHEEL, THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE AXLE HAD NO BEARING SEAL CAP. GREASE HAD BEEN FLOWN TO BRAKE SHOES AND DRUM. LIPPERT DOES NOT WANT TO COVER THE DAMAGES OR REPAIRS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE SHOES AND BEARINGS. *TR

Other Palomino Columbus model years

Check your 2014 Palomino Columbus VIN

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