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2008 Forest River CharlestonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 2 owner complaints about the 2008 Forest River Charleston, most often about the structure. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 17V-756 the manufacturer reports only 8% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Lowest repair rate 8%Owner complaints20 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage12kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 22, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Forest River Charleston has problems

2 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2008 Forest River Charleston recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

8%repaired · 2020 Q4

Equipment

Recall 17V-756 · Nov 22, 2017 · 365,885 vehicles · 30,990 repaired

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension

Recall 08V-345 · Jul 28, 2008 · 57 vehicles

Risk. IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Linkages: tie rod assembly

Recall 08V-204 · May 6, 2008 · 93 vehicles

Risk. INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Forest River.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Charleston year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Charleston median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Charleston owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

FRONT SIDE WALLS (STRUCTURE) SEPARATING FROM FRAME SUPPORT, SIDE WALLS SEPARATING MOVING INDEPENDENTLY FROM FLOORING. SCREWS ATTACHING SIDE WALL OF MOTOR HOME SHEARING CAUSING WALL SEPARATION. FRONT OF MOTOR HOME DROP AT LEAST ONE INCH. AIR ENTERING INTO PASSENGER AREA THROUGH GAP CREATED FROM WALL…
Complaint 10702421 · Mar 29, 2015 · 19,791 miles
RV STANDING STILL AT THE TIME. PIECE OF TRIM FELL OFF. 1.5" X 1.5" X 13.5', SQUARE 1/8" THICK ALUMINUM TUBING. APPROX. 20 LBS. YOU CAN IMAGINE WHAT KIND OF PROBLEMS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED IF I WAS DOING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY!!! FOUND THAT IT WAS SECURED BY 4, SELF TAPPING SCREWS, THAT HAD SHEARED…
Complaint 10243474 · Sep 25, 2008 · 4,131 miles

Own a 2008 Charleston?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.