2021 Forest River Sandpiper
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Forest River › Sandpiper › 2021
These records cover every 2021 Forest River Sandpiper. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2021 Forest River Sandpiper. Newest first.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Sierra and Sandpiper Fifth Wheel and Travel Trailers. The bolts that hold the floor to the chassis were improperly tightened.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Improperly tightened bolts could cause the trailer body to detach from the chassis, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the bolts to the chassis outriggers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-534-4574. Forest River's number for this recall is 03-1347.
Owner complaints
4 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer · Structure · Suspension › Multiple axle
We traveled from Clermont, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL. We went through some construction, and when driving, we noticed the passenger side back bunk slide was sitting out from the camper. Then, when we arrived at the campground, we saw our axles were completely shifted to the driver's side. The…
We traveled from Clermont, FL to Green Cove Springs, FL. We went through some construction, and when driving, we noticed the passenger side back bunk slide was sitting out from the camper. Then, when we arrived at the campground, we saw our axles were completely shifted to the driver's side. The shift was so extreme that the tires were outside the camper's fender (on the driver's side), and the extreme opposite on the passenger side. This then caused issues with the main slide coming out, as it was hitting the tires. In addition, the slide we noticed sticking out can no longer operate properly, as it seemed like the framing around it had completely shifted. We immediately called our insurance (Progressive) and started a claim regarding what happened after traveling on the road. Then, they told us it would be covered under our plan and considered a collision due to the uneven ground and potholes while driving in the construction zone. Per their request, we uploaded pictures of the damage. While taking pictures, we noticed the extreme bending in our RV frame. We check over our camper before every trip, and the frame did not have this issue when we left our campground in Clermont, FL. In addition, we now had walls separating inside, and the cross bars under the main living completely broken. Insurance came out and told us that because they cannot find a direct impact location, it will not be covered. They are labeling the issue as "frame failure." They will also no longer let us take the camper on the road, as it is not safe to drive. Now, we have our home, which cannot be insured, and insurance that will not support a solution for fixing, as they are stating this is a manufacturing issue.
- Tires
I have driven on these tires 1800 miles since my purchase of the Forest River 5th wheel trailer in 2021. While driving on narrow country road at 35 mph, driver's side rear tire blew. It had little tread wear and blew the tread/belt off of 12" of the tire with a gash on the interior portion of the…
I have driven on these tires 1800 miles since my purchase of the Forest River 5th wheel trailer in 2021. While driving on narrow country road at 35 mph, driver's side rear tire blew. It had little tread wear and blew the tread/belt off of 12" of the tire with a gash on the interior portion of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. The tire pressure was checked prior to driving the 15 miles until the incident and was at 80 psi per the tires limits. The tires are rated to be driven up to 75 mph so I was way under that limit. Replaced with the spare and continued the 80 miles home. While the trailer was sitting in my sideboard on asphalt 5 days later, the tire in front of the one mentioned above blew! This time it blew the fender off the trailer and across the road. Again the same damage is seen to the tire with about 10" of the belt/tread blown off and the interior portion of the tire has a gash from sidewall to sidewall. Will now be replacing all the tires as this is very worrisome to a single woman driver. I am concerned how I would have handled my 32' trailer at hwy speeds of 60-65 mph. Neither incident caused any damage to other drivers luckily. First tire was replaced by Les Schwab Tires and employee was surprised as the tires looked brand new to him with extensive damage seen. No truck warning lights were issued prior to hearing the loud noise and seeing pieces of tire flying down the road. I am attaching the photos from the tire that blew in my driveway. Tire size: 235/80R18
- Structure · Suspension
Traveling home from Arkansas towing our RV. No difficulties noted pulled RV.Traveled only DOT roads never boondocking in which case not been taken off road. When pulling out of a Bucees in Pigeon Forge our rear driver side wheels went over a scooped curb. Did not feel it but my husband the driver…
Traveling home from Arkansas towing our RV. No difficulties noted pulled RV.Traveled only DOT roads never boondocking in which case not been taken off road. When pulling out of a Bucees in Pigeon Forge our rear driver side wheels went over a scooped curb. Did not feel it but my husband the driver saw it in the rear view mirror. Stop in Branson MO noted the driver side rear slide did not go out all the way. This has happened with another slide which required an adjustment so we planned to address upon arrival home. Sikeston MO bathroom door would not align properly to close. Lift up door and it closed. Again not found to be urgent, plan to have realigned upon arrival home. Upon arrival home we parked the RV in the driveway and noticed that the axels had shifted toward the driver side. We looked up inside and saw the leaf springs shifted. We contacted Lippert who is the manufacturer of the frame. They sent one of their inspectors to our location to inspect the RV. In preparation for the inspected we were responsible for removing the underpinning and under insulation. The inspector came. From the driveway he was able to see the shifted axels. On the way into our. home we said I can guaranteed this is a Lippert Issue. We were all underneath the RV as the inspector pointed out numerous "incomplete welds", the two crossmembers broken away. There were numerous breaks "I" beam breaks ranging from 4" to 6" in length. frame twisting. This is to mention only a few of the findings. Extensive communication with Lippert ensued. Their final declaration is "It appears that some outside force has caused the extensive damages we see on your frame and suspension. This type of damage is not consistent with normal use and wear and tear. This is not any type of warranty failure and for these reasons will not be considered for warranty coverage at this time. Respectfully, Bill Sauer Service Ops Manager Plant 82" Advised by technicians not to move RV due to high risk of injury.
- Service brakes
We bought this towable (5th wheel) RV in January 2021, new from Funtown RV in Denton, TX. Since the day we took deleivery, we have experienced a severe lack of braking ability from the RV brakes. We have had them services multiple times, and ultimately, the final RVIA certified repair facilities…
We bought this towable (5th wheel) RV in January 2021, new from Funtown RV in Denton, TX. Since the day we took deleivery, we have experienced a severe lack of braking ability from the RV brakes. We have had them services multiple times, and ultimately, the final RVIA certified repair facilities conclude that the trailer is just too heavy for the brakes they manufactured it with. They sell thousands of these trailers and they are a sincere danger to the motoring public if they have no ability to brake themselves. If the trailer became disconnected fromt he tow vehicle, the trailer brakes would serve little or no purpose in slowing the trailer. I would suggest that Lippert and Forest River be looked at for this potential dangerous product.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11004491Technical Document of how to diag. a fan speed in an Aircxel Air Conditioner.
- 10228565Progressive Dynamics model PD1610 Power Inverter with error code(s) "E-8" and/or "E-9". This is due to an error in shipping the incorrect remote control for the power inverter. This document has been posted on Forest River's DealerConnect to direct the user to contact the appropriate Forest River manufacturing division for a replacement, free of charge.
- 10199637As per Lippert Components Technical Service Bulletin 11-004-21. The slide room actuator was assembled incorrectly, which may cause the room to become stuck in the out position and prevent from fully retracting.
- 10193872It was discovered that the manufacturing plant did not cut a stress relief line in the upper deck Driver Side and in on certain models, Passenger Side under the slide room(s). The upper deck in the Impression Fifth-Wheel needs to flex, without the "stress relief cut" the sidewall filon may crack under the slide room(s).
- 10179588The Federal Placard indicates an incorrect tire size of ST235/85R16/F whereas the correct tire size and tire/rim combination installed on the vehicle is ST255/85R16/E.
Every Forest River Sandpiper model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.