AI Damage2011 Forest River R-POD: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Forest River R-POD filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 67% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 33% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (67% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 3 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 17,150 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the R-POD has 4 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 3, below average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Forest River R-POD?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (67%), jerking, harsh shifts (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Forest River R-POD?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Forest River R-POD from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.