The unit has castle-rock 225/75/15 original tires installed on unit. August of 2019 was returning home from a trip in panama city beach fla, had a blowout in dothan ala. Did not think of a defective tire at the time and just considered it bad luck.I replace the blown tire with the new spare that came with the unit and had never touched the ground.same make and model and drove approximately 100 miles home.had the original spare mounted on the alloy wheel to match all other wheels and new spare mounted on the spare wheel. Did not use again until august 4,2020. Left for trip and drove approximately on hwy 231 in seale ala just another 100 miles and had another blow that severely damaged the rv skirting, under carriage,electrical wiring and wheel wells on both sides of the rv.I started research and found the castle rock tires are the root cause of the problem. I had all tires replace before heading back home and the tire dealer informed me all original tire on the rv were all separating and I would not have made it home without another blow out . Links below of castle rock tire separation. Https://www.ncconsumer.org/news-articles/potential-tire-damage-prompts-rv-recall-from-forest-river.html,https://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f30/castlerock-tire-failure-warranty-115943.html,https://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/so-called-china-bomb-tires-368480-2.html. I do have teh tires and can send pictures of damage if needed.
The worst 2016 Forest River Salem problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Wheels3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Wheels3
- Body2
- Electrical2
- Suspension1
Recalls 8
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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. The distribution panel wire may be connected to the battery without over current protection.
- Risk
- Unprotected wiring can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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. Forest River's number for this recall is 205-1987.
Recall number 25V682000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Forest River Salem, Wildcat Maxx, Wildwood, Vibe, and Rainier recreational trailers. The break-away safety switch may not have been wired to a constant power source, and, as a result, the switch may be inadvertently disconnected from the trailer house battery causing the brakes to not engage if the trailer detaches from the tow vehicle.
- Risk
- If the trailer brakes cannot engage if the trailer detaches from tow vehicle, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- 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. Forest River's number for this recall is 22/30-0824.
Recall number 18V550000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The covered water heater exhaust panel could increase the risk of injury.
- 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. Forest River's number for this recall is 44-0762.
Recall number 18V436000 · 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
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: lpg systems
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Evo, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, and Wildwood recreational trailers. The affected vehicles were mistakenly not equipped with a carbon monoxide detector to warn occupants of elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
- Risk
- If occupants are not warned elevated carbon monoxide levels, they are at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the existing Liquid Propane (L.P.) Detector and install a combination L.P./carbon monoxide detector, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑909‑873‑3777, extension 53. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-12072015-0119.
Recall number 15V831000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Salem recreational trailers manufactured June 2, 2015, to October 6, 2015 and 2015 Wildwood recreational trailers manufactured June 3, 2015, to October 1, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the tire and wheel placard incorrectly states the wheel rim and tire size. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- If the incorrect tire and rim is installed, there may be instability of the vehicle when towing, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners and will provide a corrected tire placard, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑800‑453‑6064. Forest River's recall number is 19-10082015-0093.
Recall number 15V645000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Evo, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Wildwood, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Wildcat Maxx, Vibe, R-Pod, and Surveyor trailers. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
- Risk
- If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 25, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑909‑873‑3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-05142015-0037.
Recall number 15V359000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Amera-Lite ATTX and WATTX, Forest River Cherokee, Cherokee Grey Wolf, Cherokee Wolf Pup, Salem, Salem Laminated, Salem Limited Edition, Vengeance, Wildwood, Wildwood Laminated, and Wildwood Limited Edition, Cargo Mate Blazer, E Series, E Series Wedge, Eliminator, and Qualifier, Continental Cargo Auto Master, Elite Series, Tailwind and Value Hauler, Coachmen Catalina and Freedom Express, Palomino Puma and US Cargo Patriot X, Phantom, Trail & Sport and Trail Master trailers manufactured March 1, 2015, to March 31, 2015. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
- Risk
- If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on June 16, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑800‑453‑6064. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-03312015-0025.
Recall number 15V231000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Forest River Salem 1
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2016 Forest River Salem owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
In february 2016 we purchased a 2016 salem forest camper. We only pull it less than 6 times a year (less than 161 miles each way). We were having flat tires (blow outs) on most trips causing damage underneath and damage on both sides. Prior to the blow out the camper pulls to one side making it difficult to control, you hear a pop and then less than a minute you have a tire that has peeled itself like an onion. It appears that the camper comes down onto the tires. This has happened every year we have pulled it. The last time was may 24, 2019.*dt *dt *dt consumer stated tires were purchased last year. Manufacturer was contacted. Camper is currently at gander outdoors of roanoke,va. *jb *dt *dt vehicle is being repaired.*jb coinsumer stated replacement tires fail as well. Libbert verbally said the springs were almost flat and the bolts are above the tires causing them to peel like an onion. Lippert of course didn't put anything in writing put authorized "in good faith" 2 new axle kits which include the springs. They are not covering insulation. Submitted to forest river regarding the bolt. There were obviously several issues making my camper unsafe to pull.
The kidde fire extinguisher provided by the manufacturer was the subject of a recall due to potential failure to operate. The recall id referenced by the manufacturer is 17v756. It appears that kidde has reported the recall corrective actions complete. They are not. I reported my vehicle (a travel trailer) to kidde in march 2018 and have yet to receive a replacement for the recalled extinguisher. On 2 july 2108 I was told that they are not able to provide replacement extinguishers to customers in alaska, hawaii, or puerto rico due to shipping restrictions. The product was sold in a locale that is part of the united states but kidde is unwilling to provide service to the locale where their product was sold.
The liquid propane (lp) line does not have enough clearance causing excessive friction on metal bar resulting in creating a hole in the gas line. Which causes a propane leak and possibly resulting into an unwanted fire. Camper was in a parked position when noticed. *tt
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 forest river salem cruise. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v756000 (equipment). The parts were not available for the repair. The contact was unable to have the recall repair completed due to the manufacturer not communicating with the contact. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and could not confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 forest river salem. The contact stated that the rear outdoor kitchen door flap latching mechanism failed to remain secure. As a result, the door flap fell down and struck the contact's wife in the head. She was not injured. The vehicle was taken to the toy hauler liquidation dealer, in rocklin, ca where the latch was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,500.
Electrical device caught fire and caused significant damage to the rv. Heavy smoke and damage to electrical wiring
Brand new travel trailer was sold by camping world with bias ply and radial tires mixed on the axles, water tank was left unbolted from frame and electrical under the trailer was fixed with wire nuts. This is all a serious safety defects, that could lead to major problems on the highways, pulling the trailer home it had major sway problems. I dont know if the forest river factory built it this way or camping world did it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 forest river salem. The contact stated that the grey water tank detached while the rv was idle. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50. The VIN was not provided.
Compare the 2016 Forest River Salem
Other model years
200120022003200420082010201120122013201420152016201720182019202020212022202320242025
Questions about the 2016 Forest River Salem
Is the 2016 Forest River Salem reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2016 Forest River Salem, 3.0 times a typical Salem model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Forest River Salem?
Wheels, with 3 complaints. Next is body (2).
How many recalls does the 2016 Forest River Salem have?
8 recalls, covering electrical system, equipment and suspension.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2016 Forest River Salem?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history