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Forest River Salem — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Forest River Salem model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
30
Years to Avoid
2024, 2021, 2019, 2018
Best Years
2012, 2009, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
2026
0 complaints4 recalls2 TSBs
2025
6 complaints7 recalls6 TSBs
2024Avoid
6 complaints9 recalls10 TSBs
2023
3 complaints5 recalls7 TSBs
2022
19 complaints7 recalls6 TSBs
2021Avoid
4 complaints10 recalls7 TSBs
2020
14 complaints7 recalls6 TSBs
2019Avoid
9 complaints11 recalls13 TSBs
2018Avoid
7 complaints9 recalls6 TSBs
2017
6 complaints9 recalls1 TSBs
2016
15 complaints8 recalls1 TSBs
2015
14 complaints5 recalls1 TSBs
2014
1 complaints4 recalls1 TSBs
2013
2 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2012Best Year
4 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2011
3 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
2010
2 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2009Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2008
3 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
2007
0 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2006
0 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2005
0 complaints2 recalls1 TSBs
2004
5 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
2003
9 complaints3 recalls1 TSBs
2002Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2001Best Year
3 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2000Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints1 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Forest River Salem Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2024, 2021, 2019, 2018 Forest River Salem are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Forest River Salem, consider the 2012, 2009, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

30 model years analyzed