2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM Complaints and Recall Information
The 2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM has 6 complaints and 7 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report failures with the rear patio gate latch and issues with the interior electric fireplace glass shattering unexpectedly. There are also difficulties with the slide out mechanism not functioning properly.
Common Issues- Rear patio gate latch failure. The latch fails to remain secure, causing the gate to swing open during freeway travel. Owners must manually secure the latch to prevent it from opening.
- Slide out mechanism malfunction. The slide out cannot be retracted into the trailer automatically and requires manual operation underneath the trailer using a wrench, even after troubleshooting.
- Tempered glass fireplace explosion. The glass covering the interior electric fireplace explodes without warning while the fireplace is off and no power is supplied. Glass shards scatter inside the trailer despite no visible damage to the glass.
There are 7 recalls affecting various systems including the frame, emergency exits, latches, and step assemblies.
Recalls- Frame and tires. Recall 24V629000 affects 132 trailers where tires may contact chassis components causing tire failure and potential loss of vehicle control. Dealers will install a riser kit free of charge.
- Emergency escape exit. Recall 24V490000 covers 573 trailers that may lack a secondary emergency exit, increasing injury risk during emergencies. Dealers will install an emergency exit window free of charge.
- Exterior transit latch on rear patio door. Recall 25V425000 impacts 126 trailers with a latch that cannot be unlocked from inside, potentially delaying evacuation. Dealers will remove the exterior transit latch free of charge.
- Side entry gate latch. Recall 25V364000 involves 1367 trailers where the latch could become unlocked during transit allowing the gate to open. Dealers will install a warning label and tethered pin and remove the strut free of charge.
- Removable step assembly. Recall 25V245000 affects 4179 trailers where mounting bolts may loosen allowing steps to detach, raising injury risk. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the bracket free of charge.
Owners dealing with repeated repairs related to these defects or unresolved recall issues may have rights under their state’s lemon law. Consulting a qualified attorney could help clarify available options.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM Summary
2025
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
6377
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
4179 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:BODY:STEP/LADDER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Coachmen Catalina, Forest River Aurora, Cascade, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Sandpiper, Sierra, 2025 Campsite Reserve, Impression, Pause, Puma, Sabre, Salem, Vengeance, and Wildwood fifth wheel and travel trailers, equipped with a removable step assembly. The clip-on bracket mounting bolts may come loose, allowing the steps to detach.
Risk: Steps that detach while in use increase the risk of injury.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
1367 vehicles affected
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025 Salem and Wildwood travel trailers. The side entry gate latch may become unlocked, allowing the strut to open the gate during transit.
Risk: An open gate can striking other road users and increases the risk of injury.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
126 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT:LATCHING/RELEASE SYSTEM
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Wildwood and Salem travel trailer recreational trailers. The exterior transit latch on the rear patio door cannot be unlocked from inside the vehicle.
Risk: A door that remains locked can prevent or delay occupants from evacuating during an emergency, increasing the risk of injury.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
132 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Salem SBF325RL, and Wildwood WBF325RL travel trailers. The tires may contact chassis components, causing the tires to fail.
Risk: Tire failure can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
573 vehicles affected
STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Salem, and Wildwood travel trailers. The affected vehicles may not have a secondary emergency exit installed.
Risk: In the event of an emergency, passengers may not be able to exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Complaints
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082623EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
The tempered glass covering the interior electric fireplace exploded randomly, sending shards of glass throughout the trailer. There was no warning, and we were simply sitting in the trailer enjoying the day. The fireplace was not turned on, and there was no power to the trailer. Battery was turned off, and the temperature inside the trailer was 70 degrees. There were no weak spots, dings, chips, or any other flaw in the glass.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082622UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The tempered glass covering the interior electric fireplace exploded randomly, sending shards of glass throughout the trailer. There was no warning, and we were simply sitting in the trailer enjoying the day. The fireplace was not turned on, and there was no power to the trailer. Battery was turned off, and the temperature inside the trailer was 70 degrees. There were no weak spots, dings, chips, or any other flaw in the glass.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082621STRUCTURE:BODY
The tempered glass covering the interior electric fireplace exploded randomly, sending shards of glass throughout the trailer. There was no warning, and we were simply sitting in the trailer enjoying the day. The fireplace was not turned on, and there was no power to the trailer. Battery was turned off, and the temperature inside the trailer was 70 degrees. There were no weak spots, dings, chips, or any other flaw in the glass.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082620ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The slide out mechanism is not strong enough to pull the slide out into the trailer itself for transport. This must be manually done, underneath the trailer, with a crescent wrench, even after extensive troubleshooting. The slide out does not operate independently, even when all cargo is removed.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082254LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
The latch on the gate on the rear patio failed to remain secure, and the gate swung open multiple times driving down the freeway. We had to pull over and secure the latch manually.
2025 FOREST RIVER SALEM
ID: 2082253STRUCTURE:BODY
The latch on the gate on the rear patio failed to remain secure, and the gate swung open multiple times driving down the freeway. We had to pull over and secure the latch manually.