Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
8,000 miles · Aug 23, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD. WHILE THE RV WAS PLUGGED INTO THE CAMPSITE POWER SUPPLY, AN ELECTRICAL ARCHING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE FIRE ALARM ACTIVATED DUE TO SMOKE INSIDE THE CAMPER. THE PANELS UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK WERE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, WHICH HAD SMOLDERING SPARKS AND SMOKE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD. WHILE THE RV WAS PLUGGED INTO THE CAMPSITE POWER SUPPLY, AN ELECTRICAL ARCHING NOISE WAS PRESENT AND THE FIRE ALARM ACTIVATED DUE TO SMOKE INSIDE THE CAMPER. THE PANELS UNDER THE KITCHEN SINK WERE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE ELECTRICAL PANEL, WHICH HAD SMOLDERING SPARKS AND SMOKE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER WAS USED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE, BUT THE ARCHING NOISE REMAINED AUDIBLE UNTIL THE CAMPER WAS UNPLUGGED FROM THE CAMPSITE POWER SUPPLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 12/21/16*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10897858
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2016
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD 178. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN THE CAMPER TRAILER, HE SAW A FLASH AND THE SMOKE ALARM SOUNDED. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MOLEX CONNECTOR BEHIND THE CABINETRY IN THE KITCHEN. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS SHUT OFF TO DEFUSE THE FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT INJURY. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 (NA) FOREST RIVER R-POD 178. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS IN THE CAMPER TRAILER, HE SAW A FLASH AND THE SMOKE ALARM SOUNDED. SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE MOLEX CONNECTOR BEHIND THE CABINETRY IN THE KITCHEN. THE ELECTRICAL POWER WAS SHUT OFF TO DEFUSE THE FIRE. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITHOUT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10876095
500 miles · Nov 23, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER R-POD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED AND THE TRAILER JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER R-POD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SEIZED AND THE TRAILER JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 600.
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2011 R-POD TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 27, 2008, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2010, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE LIGHTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: This could render the vehicle less visible to other motorist during hours of darkness, possibly resulting in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.
Remedy: Forest Rivers petition for relief from remedy based on its belief that the noncompliance was inconsequential to motor vehicle safety was denied by NHTSA on May 16, 2012. Accordingly, Forest River will conduct a safety recall campaign. The safety recall began in May 2012. Owners nay contact Forest River at 1-574-642-3119.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2011 Forest River R-POD Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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