36 of the 188 complaints filed about the Keystone Montana are about the body and structure — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2018.
36
Complaints
19%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
The drive to lower the spare tire is on driver side of the 5th wheel camper. If you have a flat and pull off the road you will be lowering the tire on the same side of oncoming traffic. GOOD CHANCE OF GETTING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #11741541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2019 Keystone Montana. The contact stated while the RV was parked, the contact noticed that the side wall of the RV was bulging out. The contact stated that according to the Technical Service Bulletins Numbers: KSB210218 (inspection) and KSB180328V2 (Repairs), the failure was well known. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the hitch that was used was unapproved. Additionally, the contact was informed that he was not the original owner of the RV. No further information was available.
NHTSA complaint #11707827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The model is a High County 385 BR and a crack appeared below the front bedroom slide and the slide stopped working correctly. I took the unit to Blue Compass in Katy, Texas and they discussed the issue with Keystone which resulted in the completion of what they called a flex test, basically they measure the distance between a fixed point in the hitch and the lower frame with the unit on ground on its jacks and then lift it on the king pin and make the same measurement, which I'm told needs to be 1/2" max, mine was over 1". So they took body work off to allow inspection of the main structural frame ( supplied by LCi) and aluminum framing and found broken aluminum framing welds, what appears to be cracked structural welds and a cut out on the structural frame which doesn't appear to meet their specification. The quality of the welding is poor at best with lots of undercut, blow holes, lack of fusion, lack of fill, etc, I'm assuming Keystone and LCi operate under self inspection. Keystone initially provided a repair procedure which they told me was NSTB approved, but seems like we have gone beyond this position with the welding to be inspected by LCi on the 10th March. As I've read may cases online about the subject of RV Flex, and Keystone providing a repair procedure which they stated was NSTB approved I'm writing this note to yourselves as I'm thinking the extent of the problem may not have been provided to NSTB when the procedure KSB-210122 V2 was provided to yourselves. I'm writing this note as I'd hate to see one of these units fail on the highway due to the issues I see in the frame of my unit. I can provide pictures on the welds, etc if required, you can email me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11642276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
2020 Montana 3780 RL 5th wheel June 2024 Fiberglass 18 inch crack pass sidewall front cap Talked with Keystone they set me up with local dealer in July, in Sept they approved repair for frame flex. October 2024 after repair service team had completed repair and was moving it with Forklift, and another cracked formed in another spot as of Dec 31 2024 still not completed
NHTSA complaint #11633344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The side wall became separated from the frame. There is a now cracks on the side wall and the interior has came apart. When hooking up the camper to the truck there is flex’s in the frame and potential for water intuition.
NHTSA complaint #11632157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
During normal use traveling on interstates and US Highways my 5th Wheel has developed structural issues which can be attributed to manufacturing defects. The frame produced by Lippert has already come under scrutiny for substandard welds and is known across the industry by consumers but will not be properly addressed by the manufacturer. I contacted Keystone and Lippert and was told they wouldn’t do anything about the structure. Now I have a potentially unsafe RV I’ll have to take on the highways. Lippert needs to be held accountable for their blatant safety violations.
NHTSA complaint #11631774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Welds all over the structure continue to break. Multiple cross member welds have failed. Multiple wall stud welds have broken Multiple floor joist welds have broken.
NHTSA complaint #11581364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
This unit experienced frame flex or frame failure. This frame was constructed by Lippert and has failed causing broken welds, the body to shift and move causing visible stress cracks in the exterior of the body. The interior incident happened in December of 2022 and repairs were attempted in March 2023 only to happen again. This has resulted in the trailer being unsafe to tow and could cause bodily injury to my family and others on the road.
NHTSA complaint #11576058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
The frame of the trailer is failing under normal use. After owning the trailer only 3 months we found a broken cross member. It was welded and reinforced under the direction of Keystone. 15 months later we now have 2 more broken cross members as well as several broken welds at the front of the trailer. This is now the second Montana 5th wheel that we have owned with this failure in 2 years.
NHTSA complaint #11573305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2016 Keystone Montana RV. The contact stated that the front driver’s side of the sidewall had started to detach. The contact stated that he was concerned that while driving, the sidewall might detach and cause an accident or injury. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The RV had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11545700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
This 5th wheel RV has a damaged chassis such as broken structural welds and bent or twisted and/or cracked frame members. Most damage is in the pin box area and includes the structural members that support the house. Damage extends rearward to the structure that connects the pin box frame to the main frame of the trailer.. I have had this damage assessed at an RV repair shop. Their conclusion is that "the only thing holding it all together is the plywood interior floor." It is therefore no longer safe to tow this trailer on the road. It has not been inspected by insurer nor manufacturer. It is available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11545620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
While doing a routine cleaning of the unit, I noticed a nut that was clearly loose. This is a nut that holds the main wall structure to the frame. After further inspection I determined that about 90% of the nuts were not tightened to the proper torque. Some were more than 2 full turns from snug as seen in the pictures. Without these nuts being secure it compromises the entire structure of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11516364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
After only about 2000 miles of driving, it was discovered that a main cross member had broken loose from the frame rails. These cross members help maintain the structural integrity of the trailer. Had this problem gone unchecked, it could have resulted in the trailer falling apart on the road. A certified welder has reinforced the connection and pictures have been sent to the manufacturer.
NHTSA complaint #11502617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2021 Keystone Montana. The contact stated while her husband was towing the RV at 60 MPH, a piece of the awning detached from the RV and was being dragged along the roadway. The driver was able to park on the side of the road to fully detach the awning piece completely. The contact took the RV to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the awning to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11471123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
GEICO IS REFUSING COVERAGE ON AN INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DURING TRANSPORT (IN MOTION, HWY 1-15 NORTHBOUND, NORTH OF LAS VEGAS, NV) OF MY RV. GEICO IS ONLY ABLE TO DENY THE CLAIM DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE IF THE TRAILER/RV FAILS WHILE STORED OR NOT BEING USED. THE RV WAS BEING TRANSPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS AND WAS DEEMED ROAD-WORTHY BY A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT PRIOR TO THE LOSS. THE TIRE COULD HAVE FAILED DUE TO MANY UNKNOWN VARIABLES, ALL OF WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER MY POLICY. IF THE TIRE SIMPLY FAILED DURING TRANSPORT, THEY MIGHT NOT COVER THE TIRE, BUT THE ENSUING DAMAGE WOULD BE COVERED. SUCH PROBABILITIES AS POTHOLES, DEBRIS, OR OTHER CONDITIONS WOULD REQUIRE GEICO TO COVER THE TIRE AND THE ENSUING DAMAGE. EITHER WAY, THE REFUSAL TO COVER THE INCIDENT IN TRANSPORT IS NOT LEGAL. GEICO CLAIMS A TIRE WAS NOT MAINTAINED. THE TIRES ARE 4 YEARS OLD, HAS LESS THAN LESS THAN 1500 MILES ON THEM, HIGHLY MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASE 09-07-16, THE DATE TIRES WERE PURCHASED, WITH ONLY 2 TIRES ON THE SAME SIDE HAVING ISSUES OUT OF 4 TIRES. ONE OF THE PEOPLE PREPPING THE VEHICLE THE EVENING BEFORE THIS TRANSPORT WAS A VETERAN PROFESSIONAL RV TRANSPORTER, FORMER DEALERSHIP MANAGER FOR 2 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS, AND SERVICE WRITER. HIS EXPERTISE IS BEYOND NORMAL INSPECTION FOR TRANSPORT OF RV'S/TRAILERS. THE TRANSPORTATION DRIVER IS A VETERAN RV/TRAILER HAULER 60+ YEARS TOWING AND OWNS/HAS OWNED MULTIPLE TRAILERS CONCURRENTLY FOR 40+ YEARS. THE DRIVER HAS HAD MULTIPLE CROSS-COUNTRY TRIPS INCLUDING TRANSPORTING OF THIS EXACT RV FROM NEW YORK TO ARIZONA 3 YEARS PRIOR WHEN THE FULL SET OF NEW TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN MISSOURI (ON 09-07-16 AT JOPLIN TIRE AND AUTO). THE DRIVER HAS A METHODICAL SAFETY CHECKING ROUTINE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE AND REGULARLY METHODICAL SAFETY CHECKS DURING TRANSPORT.
NHTSA complaint #11344159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE
2019 MONTANA 5TH WHEEL. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL SAFETY COMPLAINTS WITH VEHICLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE TWO AWNING BREAKAGES, THE MOLDINGS FELL OUT,THE STAIRS WERE POORLY INSTALLED AND THE CHAIRS FELL APART, THE NAILS IN THE WINDOW STICK OUT. ALSO, THE HEATING/COOLING UNIT, FIREPLACE INSERT, AND TV ALL HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE WATER INTAKE HOSE HAD NO PROPER INSULATED FITTINGS, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, THERE WAS POOR FRAME WORK AROUND THE CUPBOARDS, AND THE BEDROOM DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE.
NHTSA complaint #11283213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KEYSTONE MONTANA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE RV SLIDE OUT WAS SLIDING OUT FROM THE BOTTOM, THE SIDE PANEL WAS DETACHING, AND THE WHEEL WELL STARTED TO BEND, FLAP, AND DETACH DUE TO ONE SCREW POPPING OUT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GROUND FAULT ELECTRICAL AND AIR CONDITION SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT CALLED RV OUTLET USA DEALER, (LOCATED AT 4170 S BOSTON HWY, RINGGOLD, VA 24586, (434) 799-8721) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: J4703872. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,282.
NHTSA complaint #11231946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
METAL PROPANE SUPPLY LINE SECURED IN SUCH A MANNER THAT PART OF THE CAMPER BODY/FRAME CUTS INTO THE SUPPLY LINE AND IT LEAKS PROPANE IN THE FRONT STORAGE BAY WHERE THERE ARE MANY ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS, 12 V BATTERIES, SOLENOIDS, BREAKERS ETC THAT CAN CREATE A SPARK AND WITH THE FRONT BAY FILLED WITH PROPANE, IT CAN CREATE A FIRE/EXPLOSION.
NHTSA complaint #11193303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
MOTOR LEAKED OIL CAUSING ROOF TO BUBBLE.
NHTSA complaint #11151961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:BODY
ON JULY 27, WE WERE CAMPING AT KOA. WHILE SETTING UP IN A CAMPSITE, I HAD OPENED RIGHT SIDE "BASEMENT" HATCH WHICH IS 53"X43" WITH HINGES ALONG THE TOP, WHEN OPEN THE HATCH OR DOOR IS PUSHED UP ALONG THE SIDE THE UNIT AND HELD BY TWO MAGNETS. I FELT IT CONNECT AND LET GO, AND TURNED AND BENT WHILE REACHING IN FOR THE FRONT DOOR MAT, WHICH WAS NEXT TO THE OPEN DOOR, AS I WAS COMING OUT WITH THE MAT THE DOOR, CAME LOOSE AND CAME DOWN ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD. OTHER THAN THE PAIN OF THE BLOW I HAD NO OTHER OVERT SYMPTOMS, THERE WERE NOT EXTERNAL WOUNDS. WHAT I DIDN'T KNOW A THE TIME WAS THAT THE BLOW HAD STARTED A SLOW BRAIN BLEED. I DID FEEL HEADACHES, BUT THEY WERE ASSOCIATED WITH POSSIBLE BUSING TO THE SCALP, ULTIMATELY WHEN I TOOK SOME MOTRIN FOR ANOTHER PAIN, THAT THIN THE BLOOD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE BLEEDING TO INCREASE AND I WAS LATER DIAGNOSED WITH A SUBDURAL HEMATOMA, THAT REQUIRED EMERGENCY SURGERY. *DT *TR .*BF *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE ISN'T A SECOND LOCKING SYSTEM ON THE DOOR AND CURRENTLY THERE ARE TWO MAGNETS ATTACHED PER DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #11132761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.