Owners have filed 16 complaints
about the 2019 Keystone Cougar with NHTSA between 2019 and 2022.
The largest single group is the body & structure.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the Keystone Cougar. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
How 2019 compares with every other Keystone Cougar
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2019 Keystone Cougar
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
425.0%
Median failure at 5,000 miles
Suspension
425.0%
Body & Structure
425.0%
Median failure at 7,500 miles
Wheels
16.3%
Brakes
16.3%
Electrical System
16.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
16.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2019peak 3Nov 2022
Recalls on the 2019 Keystone Cougar
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202216132 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain Cougar 29FKD travel trailers, the tires could contact an outrigger while driving. This could damage the tire and cause a tire failure. Safety Risk: A tire failure could cause a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Keystone will notify owners by mail and instruct you to bring your travel trailer to a dealership to modify the outrigger to improve tire clearance. The dealer will add an additional outrigger between the two tires (over the center spring hanger) and inspect the tires for damage. To reduce the safety risk, Keystone recommends that you should unload all cargo and empty the holding tanks (fresh water, grey water, black water, and water heater) and take your trailer to a dealership for repair.
Recall 202156911,967 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain RV trailers, the propane (LP) regulator could fail. If this happens, high-pressure propane could reach the appliances. Note: This recall only affects trailers equipped with a Winntec model 6020 propane regulator. Safety Risk: Unregulated propane pressure can create the risk of an appliance fire. Corrective Action: Keystone will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your travel trailer to a dealer to replace the propane (LP) regulator.
Recall 2021317150 units in Canada
Structure
Issue: On certain RV trailers, the frame rail could bend or break. If this happens, there could be a sudden change in vehicle handling. Safety Risk: A sudden change in vehicle handling could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Keystone RV will contact owners by mail and instruct you to bring your RV trailer to a dealer to add cross-braces and an outrigger to support the frame.
Recall 2020315696 units in Canada
Accessories
Issue: On certain fifth-wheel trailers, the upper part of the TV antenna could detach from the trailer. Safety Risk: An antenna that detaches from the trailer could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Keystone RV will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your trailer to a dealer to replace the TV antenna.
Recall 2018664114 units in Canada
Steering
On certain travel trailers, the axles may not have enough grease on the inner hub bearings. This could cause the bearings to overheat and fail, potentially resulting in wheel lockup or separation. This may result in a loss of control causing a crash. In addition, a loose wheel assembly could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or bystander, causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will inspect all hub assemblies. If there is insufficient grease and the bearings are in new condition, the bearings will be repacked, and the hubs reinstalled. If the bearings show any signs of wear, the hubs and bearings will be replaced. If the axle beam shows any damage, it will also be replaced.
Recall 2018580101 units in Canada
Suspension
On certain trailers, the axle bearings may not have been properly installed. This could cause the bearings to overheat and fail, potentially resulting in wheel separation. A wheel separating from the vehicle could cause a loss of control and a crash. In addition, the wheel assembly could strike another vehicle, stationary object, or bystander, causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will repair or replace the axle hubs and bearings as necessary.
Recall 2018309664 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain vehicles, the outdoor propane grill may not have been installed with enough clearance to its wood frame. This could expose the wood to elevated temperatures when the grill is in use, and increase the risk of fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the wood frame assembly with a metal assembly.
Recall 201826810 units in Canada
Structure
On certain travel trailers, the propane compartment was not sealed properly during assembly. This could allow propane gas to enter the living area if the propane container were to leak. In the event of excessive exposure, this could result in injury to occupants. In addition, a propane gas leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire or explosion causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will seal the inside of the propane compartment as necessary.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Palm BAY, FL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
2019 KEYSTONE COUGAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 21V-380. THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS CAMPING WORLD TO RESCIND THE SALE OF THE RV, AND SATISFY THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE DUE UNDER THE SECURITY AGREEMENT AND REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSES INCURRED RELATING TO THE RV.
NHTSA complaint #11494390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel RV. The contact stated that while driving she was notified by another driver that the RV was leaning to the right and that the tires were not touching the roadway. The contact stated that she stopped to inspect and noticed that the tires on the driver’s side had no issues however, the passenger’s side tandem front and rear tires had moved closer together. The contact stated that the axle had moved, causing the failure. The contact stated that the RV was taken to a dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a welding failure where the axle was not connected to the frame correctly. The RV was taken to a welder to be repaired. The welder re-welded the axle to the subframe and added additional support. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11472738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reno, NV
SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel RV. The contact stated that while driving she was notified by another driver that the RV was leaning to the right and that the tires were not touching the roadway. The contact stated that she stopped to inspect and noticed that the tires on the driver’s side had no issues however, the passenger’s side tandem front and rear tires had moved closer together. The contact stated that the axle had moved, causing the failure. The contact stated that the RV was taken to a dealer where the failure was diagnosed as a welding failure where the axle was not connected to the frame correctly. The RV was taken to a welder to be repaired. The welder re-welded the axle to the subframe and added additional support. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
NHTSA complaint #11472738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,500 milesTijeras, NM
STRUCTURE:BODY:STEP/LADDER
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact was attempting to remove debris from the roof of the RV; while climbing up the attached ladder, the roof mount screws to the ladder failed causing the left side of the ladder to detach from the roof and become unsecured. During the failure no injuries were sustained. The manufacturer and dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 7,500.
NHTSA complaint #11471503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact noticed that the antenna was missing from the trailer. The dealer was not contacted. The antenna was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V398000 (Equipment). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11454523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, PA
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact noticed that the antenna was missing from the trailer. The dealer was not contacted. The antenna was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V398000 (Equipment). The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11454523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fiberglass outside of one of the rear slides was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fiberglass needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred a year later. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) and was relating the failure to the recall. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11426127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fiberglass outside of one of the rear slides was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the fiberglass needing to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred a year later. The contact then received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) and was relating the failure to the recall. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11426127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesCross Hill, SC
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the draining tank hose fractured and detached from the RV on the passenger side. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer nor the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #11421160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesCross Hill, SC
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the draining tank hose fractured and detached from the RV on the passenger side. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the local dealer nor the independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA complaint #11421160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardner, MA
WHEELS
COMPANY DEFECT TANDEM AXLES ARE NOT PARALLEL WITH ONE ANOTHER BY 1.5" THIS MAKES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY AND EVERY ONE ON THE ROADS! COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY SAID ITS WITHIN SPECS. THE CAMPER PULLS LEFT ALL THE TIME WHEN TOWING. THE FRONT TANDEM AXLE IS TURNING LEFT BY 1.5"
NHTSA complaint #11376928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardner, MA
SUSPENSION
COMPANY DEFECT TANDEM AXLES ARE NOT PARALLEL WITH ONE ANOTHER BY 1.5" THIS MAKES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY AND EVERY ONE ON THE ROADS! COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY SAID ITS WITHIN SPECS. THE CAMPER PULLS LEFT ALL THE TIME WHEN TOWING. THE FRONT TANDEM AXLE IS TURNING LEFT BY 1.5"
NHTSA complaint #11376928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gardner, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
COMPANY DEFECT TANDEM AXLES ARE NOT PARALLEL WITH ONE ANOTHER BY 1.5" THIS MAKES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY AND EVERY ONE ON THE ROADS! COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE ISSUE THEY SAID ITS WITHIN SPECS. THE CAMPER PULLS LEFT ALL THE TIME WHEN TOWING. THE FRONT TANDEM AXLE IS TURNING LEFT BY 1.5"
NHTSA complaint #11376928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mills River, NC
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KEYSTONE COUGAR TRAVEL TRAILER. WHILE TRAVELING TO A CAMPGROUND, THE DEXTER AXLE FAILED AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL DETACHED. THE TRAILER WAS LEFT AT THE CAMPGROUND AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*TP CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL IS SAFETY NOTICE 19-340. DEXTER AXLE INNER BEARING INSUFFICIENT GREASE AFFECTING MODELS WITH D44 AXLES - COUGAR 22. RBS. IT IS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE 1/25/2019. ALSO, I FAILED TO MENTION THAT WE WERE WITHOUT THE CAMPER FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS DUE DEALERSHIP HAVING THE CAMPER FOR OTHER/UNRELATED WARRANTY WORK. INVALID VIN.*JB *TR *TP PICTURES ATTACHED*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11240550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, NC
PARKING BRAKE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE CABLE SEPARATED AND BECAME CAUGHT UNDERNEATH THE TOWING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED UP AND THE TRAILER BRAKES SEIZED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRAILER BEING DRAGGED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST ABOUT THE TRAILER BEING DRAGGED AND THAT THE WHEELS ON THE TRAILER WERE SMOKING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND AND DROVE BACK HOME. CONTACT NOTICED AND SMELLED BURNING BRAKES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TRAILER BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE HAD DETACHED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. CONSUMER RETURNED TO CAB OF TRUCK TO INSPECT BRAKE CONTROLLER SETTINGS, WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DECIDE TO MOVE VEHICLE AND TRAILER NACHO PAVEMENT TO SEE IF THE BRAKES HAD RELEASED, DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK WHEN REALIZED THEY HAD NOT, PULLED TRAILER INTO BACK YARD TO DROP, WALKED TOWARD NOSE OF TRAILER AND NOTICED BREAKAWAY CABLE DISENGAGED FROM THE TRAILER AT THE SWITCH. OPENED TAILGATE AND FOUND ENTIRE CABLE, TRUCK END ATTACHED AT HITCH HANDLE SWITCH INTERLOCK END IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND CABLE PINCHED UNDER BRACKET OF THE GLIDER HITCH. REATTACHED, EMPTIED TRAILER, CALLED REPAIRMAN AT BOGUE RV TO GET HIS TAKE ON POSSIBLE DAMAGE, SAID HE WAS CONCERNED OVER THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVING BEEN DESTROYED FROM THE HEAT. WAITED AGAIN FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL, HOOKED NEXT DAY, TESTED FOR DISENGAGEMENT OF BRAKES AFTER ENSURING SWITCH CABLE WAS FREE FROM CATCHING ON TESTED FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOTION WITHOUT DRAGGING OF TRAILER, THEN DROVE TRAILER 14 MILES TO RV DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNTANGLE THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE; THEREFORE, THE TRAILER BRAKES RELEASED AND THE TRAILER WAS ABLE TO ROLL FREELY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND PROMISED T
NHTSA complaint #11220036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newport, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE CABLE SEPARATED AND BECAME CAUGHT UNDERNEATH THE TOWING VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRAIGHTENED UP AND THE TRAILER BRAKES SEIZED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE TRAILER BEING DRAGGED FOR APPROXIMATELY FOUR MILES. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY ANOTHER MOTORIST ABOUT THE TRAILER BEING DRAGGED AND THAT THE WHEELS ON THE TRAILER WERE SMOKING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE AROUND AND DROVE BACK HOME. CONTACT NOTICED AND SMELLED BURNING BRAKES. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TRAILER BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE HAD DETACHED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. CONSUMER RETURNED TO CAB OF TRUCK TO INSPECT BRAKE CONTROLLER SETTINGS, WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. DECIDE TO MOVE VEHICLE AND TRAILER NACHO PAVEMENT TO SEE IF THE BRAKES HAD RELEASED, DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK WHEN REALIZED THEY HAD NOT, PULLED TRAILER INTO BACK YARD TO DROP, WALKED TOWARD NOSE OF TRAILER AND NOTICED BREAKAWAY CABLE DISENGAGED FROM THE TRAILER AT THE SWITCH. OPENED TAILGATE AND FOUND ENTIRE CABLE, TRUCK END ATTACHED AT HITCH HANDLE SWITCH INTERLOCK END IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK AND CABLE PINCHED UNDER BRACKET OF THE GLIDER HITCH. REATTACHED, EMPTIED TRAILER, CALLED REPAIRMAN AT BOGUE RV TO GET HIS TAKE ON POSSIBLE DAMAGE, SAID HE WAS CONCERNED OVER THE WHEEL BEARINGS HAVING BEEN DESTROYED FROM THE HEAT. WAITED AGAIN FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL, HOOKED NEXT DAY, TESTED FOR DISENGAGEMENT OF BRAKES AFTER ENSURING SWITCH CABLE WAS FREE FROM CATCHING ON TESTED FORWARD AND BACKWARD MOTION WITHOUT DRAGGING OF TRAILER, THEN DROVE TRAILER 14 MILES TO RV DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR.THE CONTACT CALLED AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO UNTANGLE THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE; THEREFORE, THE TRAILER BRAKES RELEASED AND THE TRAILER WAS ABLE TO ROLL FREELY. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE BRAKE RELEASE CABLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND PROMISED T
NHTSA complaint #11220036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.