42 of the
201 complaints filed about the Keystone Cougar
are about the body and structure —
21% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2010.
Camping world Hamburg delivered to me fifth wheel they Ammit they did not have inspected causing Catastrophic structural frame failure and pin-box cross-member buckling (Frame Flex) engineered within the upper deck chassis frame. This structural failure has caused widespread, secondary body panel collapse, including deep spiderweb fractures tearing through the upper fiberglass radius wall paneling, vertical trim moldings violently warping and splitting open, and the upper passenger-side roof cap seam ripping completely open. The failed components have been placed under an immediate "no-tow" safety mandate to preserve evidence and are fully available for a driveway physical evaluation or engineering laser-scan upon request at my residence.
NHTSA complaint #11756974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On XXX between 11 am to 2pm, I was driving [XXX] to [XXX], via [XXX], and at rest area [XXX], I stopped for fueling truck and getting something to eat with family. After stopping at the parking site for trailer, I noticed that the RV box on the front above the gooseneck, was touching the top of my truck trunk. I use a fifth wheel gooseneck and tow from the center of my truck/trunk bed, and we usually have about 2 inch gap between rv and truck, but at this time there was no gap, the weight of RV was on top the truck back side panels. The Lippert frame welds were broken. I have to call a 50 ton truck crane to tow RV to closest Camping World dealer at Fort Pierce. I was lucky that my 12,000 lb RV trailer did not disconnected, I could have killed my family in a hard brake, or someone in the highway if the trailer gets disconnected (the safety chains nor the emergency brake would have stop it to fall and rollover). My family (wife and kids) are psychologically affected and will not ride a truck towing and RV again, and I will not do either. I opened a claim with insurance Progressive (Claim#XXX), but they have denied any coverage saying manufacturer's defect are not covered by any policy. However they have failed to provide written report demonstrating it is defect. I opened Work Order #XXX, with the reseller, Camping World, but they have not being helpful, I left the RV at their parking lot and visit them in person to open my request for inspection and coverage, they refused to accept the RV inside their workshop, they told me I have to repair the weld first before they accept the unit. I opened claim with Lippert (trailer manufacturer), Case #XXX, they came back saying unit is not dafe to drive, and it is not a defect. On XXX called Keystone at [XXX], opened a complaint but did not get any case number, send pictures to [XXX], and they told me they are responsible. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11755033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Started to leave for a trip with our 2010 Keystone Cougar 27ft 5th Wheel, got about a block away and the trailer overhang portion was started to come down on the back of our truck so drove back home and unhooked the trailer. Discovered that we have a flex frame issue, broken welds in the overhang portion. Total failure of the pin box while towing! Posed significant road hazard if we had continued driving. The whole overhang portion would have fallen on top of our truck and caused a wreck. Opened a case file with Keystone about the upper deck frame flex failure. They did not offer any assistance due to the age of the trailer. Adam Hahn with NW Bearing & Brake Mobil RV in Tucson was able to diagnose the problem for us. The 5th wheel can no longer be towed now.
NHTSA complaint #11736157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2017 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the slide island was leaning and the flooring in the middle of the RV was unstable. The RV was taken to the local service center, which discovered that three cross members had separated from the frame of the RV and caused severe damage to the frame. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was advised that the RV frame was unrepairable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V380000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11688194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
There was a bulge showing near the front of the camper, dealer inspected and said there is frame flex, possibly broken welds on the frame, which is a common problem with the lippert manufactured frames. Model years directly before this year(2022) were recalled for the same problem. This seems to be a common issue for 2022 models as well but there still is no safety recall despite the inherent risk of them being on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11661037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated that the emergency exit window casing was too long and the inside window glass did not fit evenly. The contact stated that the window casing was unusually wider than the frame unit. The contact received recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V169000 (Structure). The recall repair was completed. However, excessive caulking and screws were applied, and the recall repair was not completed proficiently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
NHTSA complaint #11579994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Keystone Cougar RV. The contact stated that the side panels of the camper were detaching at the corners. The contact stated that her husband inspected the chassis of the camper and noticed that the chassis was severely corroded and fractured. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V380000 (Structure, Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
NHTSA complaint #11553087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and towing a fifth wheel trailer, the trailer was rocking up and down on the king pin of the trailer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. When the contact stopped and entered the trailer, he noticed that the interior walls had buckled. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the floor had buckled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle taken to the manufacturer who diagnosed that the walls needed to be straightened. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notice from the manufacturer that braces needed to be welded on the outriggers to keep the frame from bending. The contact related the recall to the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11465964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the spring hangers fractured without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Keystone dealer however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11431251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS BOLTED TO THE REAR BUMPER AND WAS TOO HEAVY, WHICH CAUSED THE BUMPER TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTHEM RV AND BOATS (44019 N BLACK CANYON HWY, NEW RIVER, AZ 85087, (623) 465-7331) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES AND EMAILED THEM TO THE KEYSTONE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED LIMITED ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V355000 (STRUCTURE, TIRES, EQUIPMENT) FOR HIS VEHICLE. *TT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #11154028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WAS DRIVING ON 10 FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA WAS MOTIONED BY A PASSING CAR THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SPARE TIRE ON THE BACK OF OUR RV FIFTHWHEEL. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE SPARE TIRE WAS NEARLY ON THE GROUND. THE BUMPER WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAD BASICALLY RIPPED AND WAS PEELING AWAY( FROM THE WELDS )AND WAS JUST BARELY HOLDING ON. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE FIFTHWHEEL (BRAND NEW, NOT USED) WE DID NOT ADD OR CHANGE ANYTHING. WE FOUND RECALLS ON THIS EXACT THING,BUT WHEN NOTIFING KEYSTONE ALL THEY WOULD SAY WAS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND RECALL NOT GOOD ON OUR YEAR. I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SOMEONE HIGHER UP TO TALK TO BUT WAS NOT GIVEN ANY INFORMATION. THIS BICYCLE RACK/ BUMPER WAS INSTALLED BY FACTORY AND WAS RECALLED ON 2008,2010,2012 MODELS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON A VERY BUISY FREEWAY AND KEYSTONE IS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11115549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 5TH WHEEL COUGAR TRAVEL TRAILER LAST MAY. THE WHOLE BOTTOM FRAME IS BENDING AND DEGRADING BECAUSE I SUSPECT IT WAS MADE WITH CHEAP CHINESE STEEL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE AND IS BLAMING IT ON HITTING THE CURB WHICH IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE. OTHER PEOPLE ON-LINE COMPLAIN OF SIMILAR FRAME FAILURE. THE RV INDUSTRY IS NOT PROPERLY REGULATED AND A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS FRAME COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH AND INJURY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THAT THING AND I JUST PURCHASED IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT. *BF
NHTSA complaint #11072727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 KEYSTONE COUGAR 314 EFS RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH COUNTRY RV REPAIR (541-863-3826) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT FRAME AND KINGPIN SEPARATED DUE TO POOR METAL AND WELDING. THE RV WAS REPAIRED AND THE FRAME AND KINGPIN WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11003299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 KEYSTONE COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE REAR BUMPER FRACTURED WHILE THE SPARE TIRE PLUMMETED INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10854791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THERE ARE 2 FOLD OUT COACHES ON THE TRAILER WITH AIR MATTRESS' FOR THE PAD. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE EITHER AIR MATTRESS STAY INFLATED OVER NIGHT SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. ONE OF THEM LEAKS THROUGH THE OUTLET TO DEFLATE IT AND WE HAVE TO PUT A CELLOPHANE BAGGIE UNDER THE CAP TO KEEP IT UP PART OF THE NIGHT. THE OTHER AIR MATTRESS HAS ONE CORNER THAT THE WAS FOLDED OVER WHEN IT WAS MADE (THE MATERIAL IS DOUBLED OVER) AND THERE IS A LEAK THERE. WE HAVE TRIED EVERY PATCH MADE AND CANNOT GET THE LEAK STOPPED BECAUSE IT IS ON THE EDGE. THE OTHER 3 CORNERS ON THAT AIR MATTRESS LOOK NORMAL AND ARE JUST FINE, THAT IS HOW I KNOW THAT THE ONE CORNER IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE CALLED KEYSTONE TWICE, ONCE MORE TODAY, AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT SO THEY CANNOT HELP. THESE ARE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS AND I HOPE YOU CAN HELP. THANK-YOU
NHTSA complaint #10620648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.