Forest River Lexington problems & recalls

Problem: Forest river, inc. (forest river) is recalling certain model year 2014 sunseeker, forester, lexington, and solera motorhomes manufactured between april 1, 2013, through may 21, 2013. the battery isolation manager (bim) can develop a short circuit.

Risk: A short circuit may result in smoke, melting or a fire.

Fix: Forest river will notify owners and will replace the bim. the recall is expected to begin during july 2013. owners may contact forest river customer service at 1-574-206-7600.

Problem: 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 c

Risk: 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.

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 until repairs can be performed.

Problem: Forest river is recalling certain model year 2013 concord, leprechaun, freelander, lexington, forester and sunseeker class b and class c motor homes built on chevrolet express and gmc savana chassis. it may be possible to remove the key from the ignition when the vehicle is running or the transmission is not in the park position. as such, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard 114, "theft protection."

Risk: If the ignition key is removed while the vehicle is still on and/or the vehicle is not in park, the vehicle may rollaway and the unintended movement of the vehicle may result in a possible crash or injury to pedestrians.

Fix: General motors (gm) will notify owners on behalf of forest river. gm dealers will replace the ignition lock cylinder and the two associated keys. this service will be performed free of charge. the recall began on february 28, 2013. for more information, gmc owners may call 1-866-996-9463 and chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. owner's may also contact forest river at 1-574-389-4600.

Problem: Forest river, inc., (forest river) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 sunseeker 2860, 3120, 3170, forester 2861, 3121, 3171, and lexington 283 class c motorhomes, manufactured from august 18, 2009, through september 12, 2012. the liquid propane gas (lpg) fuel line that supplies fuel to appliances in the slide out, can become damaged.

Risk: A damaged lpg fuel line can lead to an explosion and/or fire, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Fix: Forest river will notify owners, and dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. the recall began on, or about october 23, 2012. owners may contact forest river at 1-574-206-7600.

Problem: Forest river is recalling certain model year 2010 sunseeker and lexington motor homes manufactured from november 10, 2009 through june 17, 2010. these motor homes fail to comply with the requirement of federal motor vehicle safety no. 302, "flammability of interior materials." failure to have the fabric treated with the right flame retardant before shipping.

Risk: The fabric could burn faster and cause injury if a fire occurs.

Fix: Dealers will replace the slip covers or the cushion if necessary. also the fabric will be treated with a flame retardant to assure compliance. this service will be performed free of charge. the safety recall is expected to begin on or about september 15, 2010. owners may contact forest river at 574-206-7605.

Problem: Forest river is recalling certain my 2003-2006 motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. the refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Risk: If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Forest river is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. dometic has retained stericycle inc. to manage this campaign. stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with schedulin

Problem: Certain recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Risk: Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Fix: Forest river will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. dometic has retained stericycle inc. to manage this campaign. stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with s

Problem: On certain trailers, the wheel stud can fail and separates at the base of the thread. this reduces clamp force on the wheel.

Risk: 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.

Fix: Dealers will replace the hubs with new studs free of charge. the manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. owners may contact forest river at 574-389-4600.

Problem: On certain class b motor homes, if the axle bottoms out against the rubber suspension snubbers, it is possible that the "u" bolts that hold the springs to the rear axle can penetrate the steel tube and come into contact with the steel liquid propane (lp) manifold.

Risk: The tube may be crushed causing a crack in the tube, and lp gas may leak causing a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace the manifold and install it inside the chassis rail away from the suspension system entirely. dealers and owners have been notified not to use the lp systems in their vehicles until the repairs can be made. owners may contact forest river at 1-574-389-4600.

Problem: Certain seat belt buckles on some motor homes fail to conform to the load requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Risk: The seat belt buckle may unlatch in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: Amsafe will notify customers and replace the buckles. owners should contact amsafe at 1-574-266-8330 or forest river at 1-574-389-4600.