2014 Forest River Flagstaff problems

What is wrong

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2014 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational vehicles manufactured June 26, 2014, to October 9, 2014, and equipped with the Chill Chaser option. In the affected vehicles, excessive foam insulation and/or loose wiring may touch the Chill Chaser heating element.

Risk

If the foam insulation or loose wiring contacts the heating element, there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the foam insulation and wiring, making any necessary repair, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑642‑2640. Forest River's number for this recall is SB111014.

Recall number 15V080000 · Recall details

What is wrong

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.

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.

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.

Recall number 13V203000 · Recall details

In a Consent Order executed on July 8, 2015, Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) admitted that it violated the Safety Act by: failing to submit accurate early warning reports; not filing certain field communications or reports of Canadian safety campaigns; not providing copies of notices, bulletins, and other communications as required; failing to file certain quarterly recall reports in a timely manner or with complete information; sending notices to dealers without required information; failing to submit communications to manufacturers, dealers, owners and purchasers directly related to a defect or noncompliance; failing to notify vehicle owners and dealers of defects and noncompliances; not timely notifying the federal safety agency of safety-related defects within five days; failing to conduct timely recalls for Recall Nos. 15V‑080 and 15V‑156; and failing to respond fully to the federal safety agency's October 2, 2014 Special Order by the deadline.As part of the Consent Order, the federal safety agency assessed a total civil penalty of $35 million against Forest River for its violations of the Safety Act. The civil penalty consists of a cash payment and stipulated penalties. Forest River paid the $5 million cash penalty on July 17, 2015. Forest River is required to retain an independent monitor to conduct audits of the company's compliance with the Consent Order and Safety Act. Failure to resolve any issues discovered in those audits will result in portions of the stipulated civil penalties coming due. The Consent Order also contains performance obligations, including retention of an in-house consultant, actions to remedy past noncompliances with the Safety Act, creation of publicly available best practices for Safety Act compliance, employee training, and industry outreach. The population listed in this closing resume is based on Forest River?s untimely recalls and does not include other issues addressed by the Consent Order, which relates to Forest River?s entire business.Based on the Consent Order, Forest River's admissions that it violated the law, and its ongoing performance obligations, this audit query investigation, AQ14-002, is closed. Closure of this AQ has no bearing on the terms of the Consent Order, including Forest River's ongoing performance obligations or legal obligations, and does not represent a determination by the agency as to Forest River's performance under the Consent Order to date.

AQ14002