The lippert i-beam frame used on these campers fails because lack of strength in the wheel well area. The i-beam frame will develop cracks that will eventually lead heavy swaying to the point that the tires will begin to rub on the trailer itself. In my particular case I saw smoke coming out of the wheel well while driving on a windy highway. I went to several RV dealers who al said my trailer was unsafe to travel in and was not repairable. I eventually found a frame shop that was able to repair the frame and a cost of $4,300 and I also had to purchase 4 new tires. My insurance company refused the claim because they stated this was a manufacturers defect that is a know issue and as a result their is a class action lawsuit against Forest River and Lippert.
The worst 2012 Forest River XLR problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body2
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body2
- Suspension1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
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: 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
What 2012 Forest River XLR owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 forest river thunderbolt 35x12 (na). The contact stated that the vehicle developed a three inch crack in the eye beam, which supports and mounts the suspension. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that it was a stress fracture, not caused by any type of welding or heat. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available. Updated 09/18/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 forest river xlr being hauled by a 2013 chevrolet silverado 2500 hd. The contact stated that the tires on the trailer were rubbing the inside of the wheel wells, causing the tires to prematurely be worn. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the rear axles, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and they changed the tire pounds from 3,500 to 4,500 pounds and the failure continued. The weight distribution was not able to support the 6 inch I beam and it caused several cracks in the frame on the trailer. The manufacturer refused to remedy the failure and referred the contact to the company that made the framing. The company indicated that the I beam should be 8 inches as the newly designed models to remedy the failure and not 6 inches. The contact had to take the vehicle to a repair shop where they replaced all four tires on the trailer. The contact also took the vehicle to two different independent repair shops for further diagnostic testing. The manufacturer and the framing company failed to remedy the failure and advised the contact not to haul the trailer more than 150 to 200 miles. The trailer was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 forest river xlr equipped with a lippert chassis. The contact mentioned that a failure was previously experienced with the tires on the vehicle. The mechanic required a change of axle size from 3,500 to 4,000. The contact stated that the chassis became fractured after the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000. ..updated 09/29/30 *bf updated 10/23/2017
Compare the 2012 Forest River XLR
Other model years
Questions about the 2012 Forest River XLR
Is the 2012 Forest River XLR reliable?
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2012 Forest River XLR, 4.0 times a typical XLR model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Forest River XLR?
Body and structure, with 2 complaints. Next is suspension (1).
How many recalls does the 2012 Forest River XLR have?
2 recalls, covering equipment.
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