This motorhome was purchased at the end of may 2015. After taking delivery, I noticed the steering wheel was off to the right while driving. After some time it was apparent that the condition was getting worse. I scheduled the motorhome for a front end alignment. The vehicle was brought in this morning for that alignment. Immediately upon inspecting the vehicle, the alignment technician showed me that the tie rod tube that connects the front wheels had never been tightened by the manufacturer. Since this tube was allowed to freely rotate, given enough time, the steering would have completely failed once the tube had unscrewed to the end of it's travel. This may be a defect on other vehicles or it may be unique to this vehicle. However, the owners of these vehicles should be advised of this possible problem. Updated 11/24/2015
The worst 2016 Forest River Charleston problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Steering1
Recalls 5
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Forest River Berkshire, 2012-2017 Forest River Charleston, 2013-2015 Coachmen Cross Country and Pathfinder, and 2014-2015 Glaval Synergy motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.
- Risk
- Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712, Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑295‑2117, Coachmen customer service at 1‑574‑825‑8212, or Glaval customer service at 1‑574‑343‑5167. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-0665.
Recall number 18V179000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- 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:
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- 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. 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.
Recall number 17V756000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Charleston vehicles manufactured September 16, 2013, to December 10, 2015 and assembled on a Freightliner chassis built by Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA). The throttle pedal position sensor on the affected vehicles may not return to zero, causing the engine brake to suddenly not activate as expected, reducing the vehicle's deceleration ability.
- Risk
- A sudden loss of an engine brake without warning on a motorhome may lead to a reduced brake capacity, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks North America dealers will replace the pedal, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2016. Owners may contact Daimler Trucks Customer Service Department at 1‑800‑547‑0712 or by E-mail at [email protected]. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-06202016-0214.
Recall number 16V472000 · Recall details
Service brakes, electric
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Charleston Class A motorhomes manufactured from September 16, 2013, through September 25, 2016, and built on certain Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) chassis. On certain motorhome chassis built with a heavier, adjustable foot pedal, the brake activation signal to certain towed devices may not deactivate when the motorhome service brakes are released.
- Risk
- If the brake activation signal to a towed device remains active when the motorhome chassis service brakes are released, the brakes on a towed device may remain engaged. As a result, the brakes could drag and overheat potentially resulting in a fire. Additionally, following drivers may be confused by the motorhome's actions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and DTNA dealers will modify the affected brake assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on June 23, 2016. Owners may contact DTNA customer service at 1‑800‑547‑0712. Forest River's number for this recall is 40-05132016-0196.
Recall number 16V330000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: lpg systems: water heater
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 Berkshire, Charleston, Legacy, Dynamax, XLR, Continental Cargo, Work & Play, Shockwave, and Coachmen Brookstone recreational vehicles and toy haulers, equipped with Atwood on demand water heaters, models OD45, OD50, and OD50CW, manufactured January 2, 2012, to August 13, 2015. The affected water heaters have a water and gas valve that may cause the water heater to overheat the water in the hot water supply tap.
- Risk
- The overheating of the water may result in the release of steam, possibly causing the operator is to scald themselves and increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners of a field remedy as provided by Atwood to the Dealerships and O.E.M. A. Inspection and installation instructions for the remedy, to be used and applied only by qualified service center personnel. B. Installation of a water flow adjustment STOP KEY that prevents the adjustment of the water flow down below .5gal/min. C. The addition of a star or lock washer to secure the adjustment screw that prevents unintended adjustment or and adjustment drift from vibration as you travel down the road. D. Securement of the remedy with the application of a warning and tamper proof label applied over the stop key and adjustment screw. The recall began on December 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑800‑348‑7440, or Atwood customer service at 1‑574‑264‑2131. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11092015-0107.
Recall number 15V771000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Forest River Charleston 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2016 Forest River Charleston owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2016 Forest River Charleston
Other model years
20082016
Questions about the 2016 Forest River Charleston
Is the 2016 Forest River Charleston reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2016 Forest River Charleston, fewer than a typical Charleston model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Forest River Charleston?
Steering, with 1 complaint.
How many recalls does the 2016 Forest River Charleston have?
5 recalls, covering steering, equipment and vehicle speed control.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Forest River Charleston steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 18V179000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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