Forest River Wildcat 2004

Model Wildcat made in 2004 by Forest River got 10 consumer complains as well as 1 recall. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to equipment and power train. There was one recall concerning equipment .

Model 2004

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
08V346000FOREST RIVER, INC. V (Vehicle)11/07/2008ODIFOREST RIVER, INC.07/07/200807/29/2008
Defect SummaryForest 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 could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.
Consequence SummaryIf this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.
Corrective SummaryForest river is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. dometic has retained stericycle inc. to manage this campaign. stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1-888-446-5157 or forest river at 1-574-389-4600.
NotesCustomers may 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
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - LABELS
12/22/20061
 Tl*- the contact owns a 2007 forest river wildcat, 27 rl se, 5th wheel trailer. the rv was purchased in december 2006 and since then he observed that the actual weight was more than the weight listed on the sticker. the pick up truck was unable to tow the rv. the cab scales were accurate, and also indicated that the sticker weight was incorrect. forest river, the manufacturer agreed to mail him a check and repurchase the vehicle, however, the dealer a wanted to sell him another rv which weighed less. and believed that the cost should be shared equally between the contact, the manufacturer, and the dealer. the contact currently did want to pull the trailer because it weight too much and was a safety risk. *ak
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
12/03/2008108/02/2004
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 forest river forester. the contact received a recall notice regarding the dometic refrigerator. he was not satisfied with the remedy to repair the failure because it consisted of placing a heat shield over the failed equipment in case a fire occurs. he felt that the entire refrigerator unit should be replaced because the boiler tubes failed. the vehicle is in the process of being repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin, nhtsa campaign id updated 01/08/09. *jb
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
09/01/2008106/01/2004
 Front and rear axles on 2004 wildcat trailer have an issue with rust. *nj
STRUCTURE
07/27/2008104/01/2004
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 forest river travel trailer. while accelerating at 35 mph, the trailer fishtailed. both axles separated from the trailer. the welding shop stated that there were supposed to be four bolts holding them together, but three had sheared and the steel used was not the appropriate thickness to support a vehicle of its capacity. there were only two welds on the trailer. the welding shop has attempted to contact the manufacturer on several occasions, but has not been successful. the failure mileage was unavailable. updated 09/24/08. *lj updated 10/01/08. *jb
12/22/20061
 Tl*- the contact owns a 2007 forest river wildcat, 27 rl se, 5th wheel trailer. the rv was purchased in december 2006 and since then he observed that the actual weight was more than the weight listed on the sticker. the pick up truck was unable to tow the rv. the cab scales were accurate, and also indicated that the sticker weight was incorrect. forest river, the manufacturer agreed to mail him a check and repurchase the vehicle, however, the dealer a wanted to sell him another rv which weighed less. and believed that the cost should be shared equally between the contact, the manufacturer, and the dealer. the contact currently did want to pull the trailer because it weight too much and was a safety risk. *ak
STRUCTURE - FRAME AND MEMBERS
04/07/20100
 I own a 2004 fifth wheel trailer. i have noticed the web of the frame cracking over the shackle mounts for some time and have been keeping a close eye on it. i have just noticed now that the frame is broken up near the hitch and can no longer be towed with out repair. i have not, in my opinion, abused this trailer or used it outside it's intended use. i and others, are fortunate that i noticed the broken frame before it caused an accident.
SUSPENSION
10/16/20081
 I am an owner of a 2004 wildcat, 28? fifth wheel. during a trip i noticed one of the tires was worn to the cord on the inside edge, while still having tread on the outside. if this had not been noticed, i?m sure that within the next 100 miles i would have been changing a tire on the side of the road with rubber from the tire everywhere. the tire was changed and trip continued. upon return, i discussed the issue with the service manager at the rv dealer and he referred me to a specialist shop that had the equipment to check the suspension. it was found that the ?toe in? on both axles were out by 1/2 inch and the problems were outside the spring hangers (spindle to axle alignment). prior to making the repairs, i contacted al-ko kober because there had been some discussion on the internet (rv.net) about defective axles being manufactured in that timeframe. the information on the axle stated (model t52 3, date 25?03, slr 373mm, 5200 lbs). their response was that they did not have a recall, axles were out of warranty (2 years) but they did replace defective axles if: 1.the axles were shipped to them 2.they verified that the axles were defective 3.they would ship new axles. of course, this did not include labor, tires, travel time of hauling trailer to dealer, suspension shop, or any other components associated with the axles. since the above response was very ?iffy? and time consuming and since i had the trailer at the suspension shop, i chose to upgrade axles to 6,000# and the springs to six leaves vs the four that was the standard equipment. when the ?toe in? on the new axles was checked, it was within 1/16?. i have documented this under forest river because there is no provision to document as an ?axle? issue. reference similar complaints 10199333, 10174036, 10169948,10169990. *tr
09/01/2008106/01/2004
 Front and rear axles on 2004 wildcat trailer have an issue with rust. *nj
TIRES
09/12/20066000212/25/2003
 We were hauler our 28' wildcat travel trailer on our way to reno. about 40 miles south of lone pine we had a blow out on the right front trailer tire. the one next to it was separated also. when the tire blew it took out the fender skirt and all the insulation and skin directly above the tire. i had to put on the spare tire and traveled to lone pine at 45 mph and spent the night there as it was too late to go to the tire store. the next morning we went to miller towing and tires in lone pine and got 5 new tires. the technician at the counter didn't even see the trailer yet and asked me if we had carlisle tires and i told him yes. he said they see these tires blow and replace them at least once a week. when we returned home i had to order a new fender skirt, as of today it hasn't come in yet. *nm
09/22/20061
 Tire blew on 2004 forest river wildcat 28bh fifth wheel. 2nd of 3 tires in 2 months. destroyed under carriage of fifth wheel above wheel which is where the water heater is located and water pipes going too it. as usual dealer again said it was road damage and nothing he could do carlisle tires). *nm

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
CABAKERSFIELDVENTURE OUT
MTGREAT FALLS59405MCCOLLUMS800-231-2269
PADELMONTE15626VALERO CENTURY INCORPORATATED7244681010
TXHOUSTONTERRY VAUGHN RV