Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2002 Keystone Montana with NHTSA between 2007 and 2010.
The largest single group is the equipment & accessories.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 10 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 — 45
Against the median year of the Keystone Montana. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% 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 2002 compares with every other Keystone Montana
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2002 Keystone Montana
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Equipment & Accessories
545.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 3,000 mi
Body & Structure
218.2%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Suspension
19.1%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Steering
19.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
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 2007peak 3Oct 2010
Recalls on the 2002 Keystone Montana
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 2010378294 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain fifth wheel trailers, the plug-in remote control receiver used to operate the Dimplex electric fireplace or electric stove may overheat. This could result in a vehicle fire causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Owners are advised to contact Dimplex at 1-888-346-7539 for information regarding unit replacement. In the meantime, the remote control receiver should be unplugged from the electrical outlet to prevent the risk of fire.
Recall 2008337
Label
On certain fifth wheel and travel trailers manufactured prior to Aug 18, 2008, the required weight label was omitted. Correction: Since the information contained in this label can also be found on the vehicle's inside and outside weight labels, no further action is required.
Recall 200713412,000 units in Canada
Other
On certain fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a Dometic Corporation refrigerator, a fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube. This could allow the release of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source is present, which could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the refrigerator's boiler tube assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SAN Jose, CAFire
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING DEFECTIVE DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR AND RECALL NOTICE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RV CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE REFRIGERATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A RECALL NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT TO HIS RESIDENCE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED HE MOVED FROM THAT ADDRESS WHICH IS NOW A RENTAL PROPERTY.
NHTSA complaint #10359748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
SAN Jose, CAFire
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING DEFECTIVE DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR AND RECALL NOTICE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RV CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE REFRIGERATOR. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT A RECALL NOTICE HAD BEEN SENT TO HIS RESIDENCE. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED HE MOVED FROM THAT ADDRESS WHICH IS NOW A RENTAL PROPERTY.
NHTSA complaint #10359748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA FIFTH WHEEL RV. LAST YEAR I TOOK IT IN THE SHOP BECAUSE MY SLIDEOUT WAS MOVING WHEN IT WAS HOOKED TO THE TOW VEHICLE. LONG STORY SHORT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES AND THEIR ARE STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE FRAME. THE PROBLEM IS THE WELDS KEEP BREAKING ON THE FRAME. THE SHOP TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY, THAT WITH THE WAY THE WELDS ARE BREAKING, THE WHOLE UNIT COULD HAVE FALLEN APART OR OFF THE FRAME WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. STILL NOT SURE HOW TO FIX THIS. THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS CAUSED THE FAILURE. SO FAR IT HAS COST CLOSE TO $8000.00 IN REPAIRS AND IT STILL BREAKS. UPON GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY HITS WHERE ALL STATE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE FRAME IS TOO WEAK TO SUPPORT THE TRAILER'S WEIGHT. MY REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND SAID THEY HAVE ANOTHER KEYSTONE TRAILER THAT JUST CAME IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES IN A SMALL TOWN FOR THAT TO HAPPEN? ON A SIDE NOTE, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES, THEY KEPT BLOWING. I NOTICE MANY MANY RV MANUFACTURES PUT TIRES ON WITH MINIMAL CLEARANCE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, AND ALSO PUT AXLES THAT ARE BARELY RATED FOR THE TRAILERS AS WELL. YOU PUT A PILLOW IN THE TRAILER AND YOU ARE OVER YOUR AXLE AND TIRE WEIGHT RATING. I INSTALLED TIRES OF THE NEXT LOAD RATING UP AND HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES ON MY PREVIOUS TRAILER, A NUWA FIFTH WHEEL. THEY KEPT BLOWING AND FINALLY I REPLACED THEM ALL WITH THE NEXT SIZE UP. THIS PROBLEM TRULY IS A ROAD HAZARD, HAVING A BLOW OUT ON A RV GOING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY. ALSO, THE PROBLEM OF HAVING THE TRAILER FALLING OFF A FAILED FRAME WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10270076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arlington, TX
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
I HAVE A 2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA FIFTH WHEEL RV. LAST YEAR I TOOK IT IN THE SHOP BECAUSE MY SLIDEOUT WAS MOVING WHEN IT WAS HOOKED TO THE TOW VEHICLE. LONG STORY SHORT, IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES AND THEIR ARE STILL PROBLEMS WITH THE FRAME. THE PROBLEM IS THE WELDS KEEP BREAKING ON THE FRAME. THE SHOP TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY, THAT WITH THE WAY THE WELDS ARE BREAKING, THE WHOLE UNIT COULD HAVE FALLEN APART OR OFF THE FRAME WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. STILL NOT SURE HOW TO FIX THIS. THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS CAUSED THE FAILURE. SO FAR IT HAS COST CLOSE TO $8000.00 IN REPAIRS AND IT STILL BREAKS. UPON GOOGLING THIS PROBLEM, THERE ARE MANY HITS WHERE ALL STATE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THE FRAME IS TOO WEAK TO SUPPORT THE TRAILER'S WEIGHT. MY REPAIR SHOP CALLED ME AND SAID THEY HAVE ANOTHER KEYSTONE TRAILER THAT JUST CAME IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT ARE THE CHANCES IN A SMALL TOWN FOR THAT TO HAPPEN? ON A SIDE NOTE, I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES, THEY KEPT BLOWING. I NOTICE MANY MANY RV MANUFACTURES PUT TIRES ON WITH MINIMAL CLEARANCE FOR THE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER, AND ALSO PUT AXLES THAT ARE BARELY RATED FOR THE TRAILERS AS WELL. YOU PUT A PILLOW IN THE TRAILER AND YOU ARE OVER YOUR AXLE AND TIRE WEIGHT RATING. I INSTALLED TIRES OF THE NEXT LOAD RATING UP AND HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE PROBLEM. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES ON MY PREVIOUS TRAILER, A NUWA FIFTH WHEEL. THEY KEPT BLOWING AND FINALLY I REPLACED THEM ALL WITH THE NEXT SIZE UP. THIS PROBLEM TRULY IS A ROAD HAZARD, HAVING A BLOW OUT ON A RV GOING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY. ALSO, THE PROBLEM OF HAVING THE TRAILER FALLING OFF A FAILED FRAME WHILE TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10270076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCapitola, CA
TRAILER HITCHES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS HAD A CRACK CAUSED BY THE FLEXING OF THE HITCH, WHICH COULD NOT SUPPORT THE TRAILER. HE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE HYDRAULIC AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO CRACK AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 *BF UPDATED 02/18/09.
NHTSA complaint #10254135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesCapitola, CA
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIBER GLASS HAD A CRACK CAUSED BY THE FLEXING OF THE HITCH, WHICH COULD NOT SUPPORT THE TRAILER. HE HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES WITH THE HYDRAULIC AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED POORLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COULD NOT MAKE ANY REPAIRS. THERE WAS NO CRACK AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. UPDATED 02-18-09 *BF UPDATED 02/18/09.
NHTSA complaint #10254135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesSpencerport, NY
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KEYSTONE MONTANA, MODEL NUMBER 2955RL. THE AXLE HAS A DEFECT THAT IS WEARING THE TIRES. IN OCTOBER OF 2007, THE CONTACT PLACED NEW TIRES ON THE TRAILER. IN JANUARY OF 2008, THE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. HE WILL TAKE THE TRAILER TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 3,000.
NHTSA complaint #10236212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Adams, TN
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2852. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E076000 (EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE) ON MARCH 11, 2008. THE NOTICED INDICATED THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED IN APRIL OF 2008; HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS STOPPED ON APRIL 1, 2008. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WAS THE FOURTH CONSUMER THAT WAS DENIED THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CONSULTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT WAS PUT OFF AND NOT ASSISTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED MANUFACTURER NUMBER 22485147. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. UPDATED 07/16/08*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOILER WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 07/16/08
NHTSA complaint #10227152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bourbonnais, IL
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
SPINDLE BENT, CAUSING BRAKES TO STICK. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE. DID HAVE AN AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #10195440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bourbonnais, IL
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
SPINDLE BENT, CAUSING BRAKES TO STICK. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE. DID HAVE AN AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #10195440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bourbonnais, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SPINDLE BENT, CAUSING BRAKES TO STICK. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE. DID HAVE AN AXLE.
NHTSA complaint #10195440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deer Park, WA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2852. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 06E076000 (EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR WHO CHARGED $149.33 FOR LABOR. THE WORK ORDER SPECIFICALLY STATED, "PERFORMED RECALL WORK" AND NO OTHER WORK WAS AUTHORIZED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE INVOICE FOR REPAIR. UPDATED 07/05/07
NHTSA complaint #10192423 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.