Forest River Berkshire 2011

Model Berkshire made in 2011 by Forest River got 11 consumer complains as well as 2 recalls. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to electrical system and visibility. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system and engine and engine cooling.

Model 2011

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13V005000Forest River, Inc.from 01/01/2010 to 09/20/2012V (Vehicle)451MFRForest River, Inc.01/07/201301/07/2013
Defect SummaryForest river is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 berkshire and charleston diesel motorhomes. the chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. two circuits are affected: the one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use.
Consequence SummaryFailure of the cruise control to disengage when the brakes are applied may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. without the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are applied, the driver's intent is not communicated, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective SummaryDaimler truck north america (dtna) is performing this recall on behalf of forest river. dtna will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. the recall is expected to begin on january 28, 2013. owners should contact daimler trucks warranty campaigns department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. pacific time monday through friday, e-mail address dtna.warranty.campaigns@daimler.com, or the customer assistance center at (800) ftl-help after normal business hours.
NotesDaimler's recall campaign number is fl-634.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11V531000FOREST RIVER, INC.from 09/01/2010 to 02/28/2011V (Vehicle)6610/10/2011MFRFOREST RIVER, INC.11/03/201111/03/2011
Defect SummaryForest river is recalling certain model year 2011 berkshire models 360fws, 390bh, 390rb and 390qs recreational vehicles manufactured from september 1, 2010, through february 28, 2011, equipped with a cummins isx or isl diesel engine. the v-band clamp assembly, part numbers q187684, q187685, and q187686, used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (doc)/diesel particulate filter (dpf) include a t-bolt which can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. a fracture or failure of the t-bolt may cause the clamp to loosen and the inlet or outlet sections attached to the doc/dpf housing to disconnect.
Consequence SummaryIf the inlet or outlet sections disconnect, hot exhaust gases can vent prior to exiting the tailpipe, creating the risk of combustion and a fire. if both clamps fail, there is a risk in some applications that the doc/dpf housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.
Corrective SummaryForest river is working with cummins to identify and notify owners of the recall campaign. repairs will be performed by authorized cummins dealers free of charge. the safety recall began october 10, 2011. owners may contact cummins at 1-812-377-5000.
NotesOwners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
07/05/201299871
 Iota transfer switch its-50r overheated and nearly caught fire, seems to have damaged the refrigerator(it no longer works and overheated) at least one of my roof air conditioner units, possibly both. this unit has already been recalled by navistar who installed it on holiday rambler units and at least one other coach, nhtsa #12v060000. as far as i can tell forest river has not recalled the units(using your web site) i explained this to my dealer and he said they would look at it when they get an opening, which is aug. 6th. this a safety issue as the init clearly got very warm, before it failed, wires burnt, etc. *tr
07/05/20129987
 Iota transfer switch its-50r overheated and nearly caught fire, seems to have damaged the refrigerator(it no longer works and overheated) at least one of my roof air conditioner units, possibly both. this unit has already been recalled by navistar who installed it on holiday rambler units and at least one other coach, nhtsa #12v060000. as far as i can tell forest river has not recalled the units(using your web site) i explained this to my dealer and he said they would look at it when they get an opening, which is aug. 6th. this a saftey issue as the init clearly got very warm, before it failed, wires burnt, etc.
05/13/20124302
 On may 13, 2012, the outside high temperature at our location was 82 deg f. we had both air conditioner units set on 71 inside the coach. we were also washing a load of laundry. the coach was connected to shore power with the manufacturer-supplied cord. the washing machine stopped mid-operation and a burning electrical smell was observed inside the coach. upon inspection, no breakers or fuses were tripped or burned. after checking all electrical outlets in the coach, we determined that the microwave and rear air conditioner unit were both not operational. the wall plugs that are on the same circuit as the washer/dryer were also not operational. we discovered that the smell was coming from the automatic transfer switch in one of the cargo bays on the outside of the coach. after removing the cover to check for damage, burn marks are evident on the electrical connection points and one can easily see that wires have melted/fused together. there is also a burn/scorch mark on the inside of the cover plate. the part in question is the iota its-50r. (manual available here: http://www.iotaengineering.com/pplib/50rman.pdf ) this is the exact same part included in the nhtsa camaign id number 11v577000 with the exact same symptoms but no recall has been issued by forest river. this could have very easily caused a fire and or/explosion.
VISIBILITY
04/03/20113100
 Tl*the contact owns a 2011 forest river berkshire diesel rv. the contact stated that all of the windows had screens but did not have locks for the screens. a younger passenger in the vehicle was able to push on the screen while the contact was driving 20 mph and almost fell from the vehicle. the contact attempted to contact the manufacturer but was unable to locate a telephone number for the manufacturer. the failure mileage was approximately 3,100.