2013 Forest River Flagstaff recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. When an affected trailer hits a large bump or pot hole, the trailer tire may contact the bottom of the floor.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 FLAGSTAFF.
- Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V554000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-825-7178.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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…
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2013 FLAGSTAFF.
- Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 13V203000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-389-4600.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- 2013 Forest River Flagstaff owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (3), Suspension (2), Equipment (2), Body / structure (1), Unknown Or Other (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
09/05/2018 · Wheels / tires
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
02/27/2017 · Suspension
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…
07/13/2015 · Equipment
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
06/15/2014 · Body / structure
AXLE IS TOO CLOSE TO TRAILER BODY CAUSING TIRE RUB AND ALSO DAMAGE TO BODY OF TRAILER. *JS
09/04/2013 · Wheels / tires
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 A…
09/03/2013 · Suspension
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…