The defect
Forest River is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Berkshire and Charleston Motorhomes, equipped with an IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch. These switches may experience heat related failures when exposed to elevated electrical loads associated with RV use in higher ambient temperatures. The failure may lead to an increased risk of electrical damage to other appliances.
The risk
Continued use of the vehicle without replacing the transfer switch increases the risk of fire, personal injury, and property damage.
The remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Iota ITS-50R transfer switch, free of charge. The recall began on July 11, 2012. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-295-8749.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 390QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 390RB | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 390TS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Berkshire 410QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 360QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 360TS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 400QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 400TS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 405QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410DST | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410FK | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410FS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410FWS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410LR | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 410QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 430BH | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 430QS | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Charleston 430RB | 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: EQUIPMENT
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360FWS | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 360QS | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390BH | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390FL | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390QS | 2005 | 0 | 1 |
| Berkshire 390QS | 2006 | 0 | 1 |
Other equipment recalls in 2012
128 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the equipment; FOREST RIVER, INC. filed 49 campaigns in all.
| 12V599000 21 Dec 2012 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 12V601000 21 Dec 2012 | Daimler Trucks North America |
| 12V598000 20 Dec 2012 | Jerr-Dan Corporation |
| 12V593000 18 Dec 2012 | Champion Bus, Inc. |
| 12V584000 12 Dec 2012 | Creative Bus Sales, Inc. |
| 12V592000 11 Dec 2012 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES AMERICA LTD |
| 12V580000 10 Dec 2012 | Glaval Bus Division |
| 12V575000 10 Dec 2012 | Winnebago Industries Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012