The Forest River Impression spans 2016–2026 with 16 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021, 2019, 2018 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2016, 2017, 2020. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Forest River Impression is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2016 to 2026 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a Forest River Impression by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this Forest River Impression — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a Forest River Impression VIN — every digit explained
Every Forest River Impression carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Impression.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your Impression VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the Forest River Impression have?
The Forest River Impression has 16 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Forest River Impression recalls 1
Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2026 Impression fifth wheel recreational trailers. The insulation on the wires may have been improperly removed, exposing conductors.
Risk. Exposed conductors may cause electrical arcing, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and correct the wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-327-2716. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-2039.
2025 Forest River Impression recalls 2
Structure:body:step/ladder
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Coachmen Catalina, Forest River Aurora, Cascade, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Sandpiper, Sierra, 2025 Campsite Reserve, Impression, Pause, Puma, Sabre, Salem, Vengeance, and Wildwood fifth wheel and travel trailers, equipped with a removable step assembly. The clip-on bracket mounting bolts may come loose, allowing the steps to detach.
Risk. Steps that detach while in use increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the clip-on bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2025. Owners may contact customer service at Aurora & Catalina (1-574-825-4995), Campsite Reserve, Cascade, Cherokee, Sabre, Vengeance (1-260-499-2100), Cedar Creek (1-260-593-4000), Impression (1-574-327-2716), Pause (1-574-327-2681), Puma (1-574-642-0588), Sierra & Sandpiper (1-574-534-4574), and Salem & Wildwood (1-574-534-3167). Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1915.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Risk. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
2024 Forest River Impression recalls 1
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Risk. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
2023 Forest River Impression recalls 3
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Risk. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
Equipment
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2023 Impression fifth wheels vehicles. The exterior griddle may be stowed while still connected to LP gas line.
Risk. A griddle stowed while the gas is still in use can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will install a 90-degree fitting on the griddle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-327-2707. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1658.
Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Forest River Inc. Impression Fifth Wheel recreational vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a secondary emergency exit.
Risk. A missing secondary exit could result in occupants becoming trapped inside during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and install an egress window, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1554.
2022 Forest River Impression recalls 5
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Risk. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
Structure:emergency:escape/egress/exit
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Forest River Inc. Impression Fifth Wheel recreational vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured without a secondary emergency exit.
Risk. A missing secondary exit could result in occupants becoming trapped inside during an emergency, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and install an egress window, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1554.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.
Risk. An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report for their designated model. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 22V-486.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:lpg Systems:lines And Fittings
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
Risk. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Impression Fifth Wheel Recreational Vehicles. The center identification light on the rear of the vehicle was incorrectly installed at a higher position than the other lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Incorrectly installed rear lights may reduce visibility of the vehicle for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will reposition the center top lamp, and a reflector will be installed in place of the center lamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service Phone Number 1-574-296-2084. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1441.
2021 Forest River Impression recalls 3
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:wiring
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Impression fifth wheel travel trailers. The solar charge line, front LED hitch light, and the pass-thru light may have been wired to the incorrect mini breaker.
Risk. Wires connected to the incorrect mini breaker could melt and short, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will correct the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-367-3314. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1862.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer:lpg Systems:lines And Fittings
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Catalina, Freedom Express, Spirit, East to West Alta, Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Columbus, Flagstaff, Impression, Ozark, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildwood, XLR Toyhauler, Palomino Puma, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Shasta Oasis, 2022 Coachmen Cross Trail, Prism, Forest River Aurora, Rainier, Wildcat, Work and Play, Prime Time Tracer, 2021-2023 Coachmen Leprechaun, and 2022-2023 Coachmen Freelander fifth wheel and travel trailer recreational vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
Risk. A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will replace the quick disconnect and perform a LP system check, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2022. Owners may contact the applicable customer service number for their vehicle model. Please see the recall report for the list of phone numbers.
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Impression Fifth Wheel Recreational Vehicles. The center identification light on the rear of the vehicle was incorrectly installed at a higher position than the other lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Incorrectly installed rear lights may reduce visibility of the vehicle for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will reposition the center top lamp, and a reflector will be installed in place of the center lamp, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service Phone Number 1-574-296-2084. Forest River's number for this recall is 83-1441.
2019 Forest River Impression recalls 1
Exterior Lighting
What's wrong. Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019 Forest River Primetime Impression fifth wheels, model MPF3000RLS-49. The side marker lights are not located in the correct spot, reducing visibility of the vehicle to other drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk. Reduced visibility of the fifth wheel can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remedy the vehicles, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-862-1025. Forest River's number for this recall is 49-0891.
Best and worst years for the Forest River Impression
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 11 tracked years, the worst years are 2021, 2019, 2018 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2016, 2017, 2020.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Impression | 0 | — | Best |
| 2017 Impression | 0 | — | Best |
| 2018 Impression | 1 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2019 Impression | 1 | — | Avoid |
| 2020 Impression | 0 | — | Best |
| 2021 Impression | 4 | Electrical System | Avoid |
| 2022 Impression | 0 | — | Average |
| 2023 Impression | 0 | — | Average |
| 2024 Impression | 0 | — | Average |
| 2025 Impression | 0 | — | Average |
| 2026 Impression | 0 | — | Average |
What are the most common Forest River Impression problems?
The most-reported Forest River Impression problems are Suspension (1 reports), Electrical System (2 reports) — out of 6 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Electrical System 2 Read
Electrical wires melted and burnt in the unit less than 6 months after purchase. We were stopped at a stoplight when the truck alerted us to a trail service error. Upon investigation, it was found that multiple wires were burnt and melted throughout the camper box and around the battery.
On [XXX], while driving home from camping, I received a message on my truck dash, “CHECK WIRES”. I checked the fifth wheel hitch, the seven-way cable, walked around the RV, did not see a problem. A RV restoration company [RVRC], was sent to my home by an insurance agent to repair the power awning on my 2021 Forest River Impression 290VB, VIN: [XXX] , 1) While working on the power awning, the [RVRC] discovered a major electrical short in a bundle of wires which travel throughout the RV. The electrically damaged wires supplied power to the following items: i.12 VOLT AUXILIARY ii.RIGHT TURN SIGNAL iii.BRAKES iv.12 VOLT GROUND v.LEFT TURN SIGNAL vi.EXTERIOR RUNNING LIGHTS vii.ADDITIONAL ITEMS SUPPLIED FROM 12 VOLT SYSTEM The [RVRC] returned to begin replacing said wire bundle. The cause of the electrical short was discovered behind a wall. The bundle of wires passed through a drilled hole in sheet metal without a grommet. While traveling, the wires moving back and forth, the insulation on one of the wires wore out and touched the sheet metal and the electrical short occurred. [if this electrical short had happened a few hours earlier it could have caused a fire and could have killed seven adults and children]. Additional Defects 2) This RV had multiple fasteners holding the “slide-out topper” in place. Each fastener had been screwed into sheet-metal, and were not screwed into anything solid. All the fasteners started backing out from their position. 3) the slide-out has an object in the path of the movement in-and-out causing internal damage as well as... 4) external damage to slide-out support board and external siding. 5) Internally, the large pantry door, is so heavy, it has tilted out of place and will eventually drag on the floor. These defects have not been verified or reproduced by anyone else. Only an insurance co had reviewed defect #1. I could not upload photos due to the captcha INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension 1 Read
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 forest river impression fifth wheel. While looking at the trailer parked in the driveway from a distance, the contact noticed that the axles were not aligned correctly. The trailer was taken to curtis trailers (10177 se powell blvd, portland, or 97266, (503) 760-1363) to be inspected. The contact was informed that the axle hangers were improperly aligned, which caused uneven wear to the tires. The contact was also informed that without corrective measures taken there was the potential for a blowout of the tires and possible other damages or injuries. The trailer was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted on numerous occasions and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was less than 1,000. *tr*jb
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Forest River Impression specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Forest River Impression. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Forest River Impression cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Impression holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Forest River Impression tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Forest River Impression get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the Forest River Impression have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a Forest River Impression cost to own?
A Forest River Impression depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Impression loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Impression ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Forest River Impression safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Impression yet.
How many miles does a Forest River Impression last?
A well-maintained Forest River Impression typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Decode your Forest River Impression’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All Forest River Impression model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Forest River Impression — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Impression | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2025 Impression | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 2024 Impression | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2023 Impression | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 2022 Impression | 5 recalls | — | — |
| 2021 Impression | 3 recalls | — | — |
| 2020 Impression | 0 | — | — |
| 2019 Impression | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2018 Impression | 0 | — | — |
| 2017 Impression | 0 | — | — |
| 2016 Impression | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Impression?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021, 2019, 2018 drew the most reports. 2016, 2017, 2020 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Impression have?
16 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2016–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a Impression last?
A well-maintained Impression typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Impression reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Impression is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Forest River Impression warranty?
New Forest River models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Forest River dealer.
Where is the Forest River Impression made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Impression's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Forest River may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Impression have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.