2018 Forest River Salem
Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 0 |
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 8 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Only 6 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
2 of 6 total reports mention: structure.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAVEL TRAILER HAD NOT BEEN HAULED BY A VEHICLE YET BECAUSE ONE OF THE STABILIZERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TWO FUEL TANKS FRACTURED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190313
I RECEIVED A NEW FOREST RIVER RV, TRAVEL TRAILER WITH RUSTED GAS LINE PIPING AND FRAME
NHTSA ODI report, 20190227
2 of 6 total reports mention: electrical system.
FIREShow complaint excerpts
WE WERE SITTING IN OUR TRAVEL TRAILER WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, LIKE AN ELECTRICAL BURN. I WENT AROUND OUR TRAVEL TRAILER AND LOOKED UNDER THE SINK AND SAW THE WATER HEATER SMOKING. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE ELECTRICITY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180630
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 FOREST RIVER SALEM HEMISPHERE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE FAN, LIGHTS, AND SLIDE, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171026
1 of 6 total reports mentions: wheels.
1 of 6 total reports mentions: tires.
1 of 6 total reports mentions: fuel/propulsion system.
SAFETY TIMELINE
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Salem, Wildwood, XLR, Sanibel, Wildcat, Vengeance, Chaparral Lite and Columbus recreational trailers.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-348-7440.
Campaign 17V282000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers. The Federal Placards on these vehicles may state an incorrect weight of the trailer.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard with correct weight and cargo carrying capacity, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017.
Campaign 17V484000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Salem and Wildwood recreational trailers.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and provide corrected Federal Placards, free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-848-1335. Forest River's number for this recall is 05-0595.
Campaign 17V790000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 17V756000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Forest River Salem recreational trailers, model SMT282QBXL-OR.
Remedy: Forest River has notified owners and provided a tire placard with the correct tire pressure information, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5413.
Campaign 18V232000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forest River Wildwood, and 2016-2019 Forest River Salem recreational trailers. The outside auxiliary shower faucet cover may cover the water heater exhaust panel when opened.
Remedy: Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install a replacement outside shower, free of charge. The recall began on July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-3167.
Campaign 18V436000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a new wiring harness to reroute the wiring, free of charge. The recall began September 25, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-503-831-5410.
Campaign 18V550000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Wildwood, Salem, and 2020 Sonoma travel trailers.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will rewire the breakaway switch, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2020. Owners may contact Forest customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 67A-1230.
Campaign 20V563000 — check if this car was fixed
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Forest River Aurora, Coachmen Catalina, 2026 Coachmen Viking, Coachmen Clipper, 2016-2026 Wildwood, and Salem recreational trailers.
Remedy: Dealers will relocate the distribution panel wire to the correct side of the breaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2025. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995.
Campaign 25V682000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Forest River Salem — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for structure issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for wheels issues (1 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V282000 (tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V484000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V790000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V756000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V232000 (equipment, tires) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V436000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V550000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V563000 (electrical system, trailer hitches) has been completed.
- Verify recall 25V682000 (electrical system) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2018 Forest River Salem reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Forest River Salem?
The most-reported component is structure:body, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Forest River Salem have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.