RoadVitals

2020 Forest River Cardinal

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Jul 6, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 17, 2021
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2020 Forest River Cardinal, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
21V988000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ACCESSORY GENERATOR

Dec 17, 2021
111 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles. The generator compartment may not be sealed properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
The risk: Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect the generator compartment for proper sealant and apply sealant if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1444.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 15-1444View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Jul 6, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT AND RIGHT ANCHOR LEGS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT END OF THE RV INDEPENDENTLY LOWERED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DEALER ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FINDLAY RV (4530 BOULDER HWY, LAS VEGAS, NV 89121) WHERE THEY HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER EACH VISIT. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. *DT*JB*DT*JB*DT*DT*AS

NHTSA ID
11337763
Incident
Jun 22, 2020
Mileage
200 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Cardinal by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023100—
2022050—
2021160—
2020Viewing110—
2019110—
2018030—
2017730—
2016240—
20151110—
2014140—
2013220—
2012100—
2010300—
2009510—
2008100—
2006710—
2005620—
2004220—
2003130—
2002120—
2001120—
2000210—
1999210—
1998210—
1997010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.