2008 Forest River Charleston recalls and problems

The 2008 Forest River Charleston has 4 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is structure.

How the 2008 compares

Too few model years with complaints to compare.

4recalls

2complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

19,791median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

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4 recalls

Equipment

Nov 22, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V756000 · 365,885 vehicles

Problem: 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

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

Remedy & notes

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.

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.

Service Brakes

Mar 4, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V079000 · 456 vehicles

Problem: Forest River is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2009 charleston motor homes manufactured between August 16, 2007 and September 23, 2008, equipped with kongsberg automotive adjustable brake pedals. The adjustable brake pedal arm May loosen allowing the arm to rotate around its shaft and swing in front of the accelerator pedal, reducing braking function.

Original NHTSA wording

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 CHARLESTON MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 16, 2007 AND SEPTEMBER 23, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.

Risk: A loose brake pedal increases the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Forest River is working with Freightliner to notify owners. Repairs will be conducted by Freightliner free of charge. The safety recall began on January 10, 2010. Owners May contact daimler trucks warranty campaigns department at 1-800-647-0712.

Forest River recall no. Fl-569.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 <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Suspension

Jul 28, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V345000 · 57 vehicles

Problem: Forest River is recalling 57 my 2007-2008 motor homes built on Freightliner xc chassis and equipped with saf-holland rear suspensions. In some instances the transverse beam was not properly welded which could result in a failure of the weld.

Original NHTSA wording

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 57 MY 2007-2008 MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND REAR SUSPENSIONS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.

Risk: If the weld fails, vehicle stability while cornering could be affected resulting in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a crash. In addition, the transverse beam could drop to the ground causing sparks that could cause a fire hazard.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.

Remedy & notes

Forest River is working with daimler trucks and saf-holland to have a visual inspection of the adl transverse beam performed. If a weld defect is identified, saf-holland will provide a service replacement kit that contains a new transverse beam, all necessary installation hardware, beam replacement, and instructions free of charge (please see 08E031 and 08V269). Owners May contact saf-holland at 1-231-773-3271, daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712, or Forest River at 1-574-389-4600.

Customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Steering

May 6, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V204000 · 93 vehicles

Problem: Forest River is recalling 93 my 2007-2008 charleston and berkshire motor homes built on Freightliner chassis. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle May be over or under-tightened.

Original NHTSA wording

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 93 MY 2007-2008 CHARLESTON AND BERKSHIRE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.

Risk: Incorrectly tightened steering arm fasteners May fatigue and fracture which could cause a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Forest River is working with Freightliner to repair these vehicles free of charge (please see 07V306). Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or Forest River at 1-574-389-4600.

Customers 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 http://www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Structure2

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

2008 vs. other Forest River Charleston years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2008 Forest River Charleston have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Forest River Charleston, the latest from Nov 22, 2017 (equipment). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Forest River Charleston?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (2). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.