2003 Forest River Salem Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 7,500miles, 3 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Forest River Salem (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Forest River Salem. The part named most often is equipment, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by body and structure (2) and suspension (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 7,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Equipment3 38%
- Body and structure2 25%
- Suspension2 25%
- Electrical system1 13%
- Tires1 13%
Example complaints
Equipment: “I purchased a Forest River 38' sand piper sport f37sp toy hauler fifth wheel new in 2003. The trailer was equiped with tandom axels. We experianced numerous tire blow outs. Each time the tire would blow it would blow up with pieces of rubber flying every where causing excessive damage to the rv and causing the trailer to become difficult to control until stopped and off the roadway. This was brought to the attention of Forest River and also carlisle tire company. …”
NHTSA complaint #10221749, filed 2008-03Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2003 Forest River Salem travel trailer. When the trailer was towed the left tires rubbed against the frame supports. Although the dealership and manufacturer were alerted no repairs have been made. Updated 3/28/2006 - the manufacturer has agree to repair the unit and replace the tire at no cost to the consumer.”
NHTSA complaint #10152106, filed 2006-03, 15,000 milesSuspension: “Drove over two or three rough bridges. Leaf springs on left side of trailer flattened & lost their support, causing the tires to rub on underside of trailer with a breaking action to that side, causing travel trailer to go out of control. Trailer was declared a total loss by insurance company due to bent frame after loss of control. No one was injured nothing was hit nothing hit trailer. I feel there should be a stop on the underside of every travel trailer on the road, to stop the axle before the tire can break on the underside of any trailer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10157832, filed 2006-05, 7,500 milesElectrical system: “The contact owns a 2003 Forest River Salem. The contact smelled smoke in his fifth wheel trailer. He detected smoke and immediately went outside to disconnect the wires. The fire department was not called and the dealer was not notified. No other vehicle information was applicable.”
NHTSA complaint #10217290, filed 2008-02Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 300 and 15,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V756000Nov 22, 2017EquipmentCovers: Forest River Salem 2003–2018, Sandpiper 2003–2018, Wildcat 2003–2018 +23 more
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…
- 08V346000Jul 7, 2008Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Forest River Salem 2003–2006, Rockwood 2003–2006, Forester 2003–2006 +17 more
Forest river is recalling certain my 2003-2006 motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution…
- 07V085000Mar 5, 2007Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Forest River Salem 1997–2003, Sunseeker 1997–2003, Georgetown 1997–2003 +17 more
Certain recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.
Recall details for the 2003 Forest River Salem → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10178433Aug 5, 2020Equipment. This is a document that describes how to take the required photos to assess the slideroom mechanism for adjustment and function.
Other model years of the Forest River Salem
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | — | 8 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 13 | 2,000 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 12 | 3,500 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 5 | 900 | 11 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 6 | 1,000 | 9 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 5 | 750 | 9 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 9 | 625 | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 8 | 5,438 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 8 | 7,500 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Forest River Salem model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Forest River Salem have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2003 Forest River Salem as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Forest River Salem is reported most often?
Equipment is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by body and structure with 2.
Has the 2003 Forest River Salem been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Forest River Salem reported?
Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 7,500 miles and the middle half falls between 300 and 15,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.