RoadVitals

2020 Forest River Puma

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.
6
Latest Oct 17, 2023
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.
2
Latest Jun 4, 2024
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.
1
1 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Forest River Puma, most frequently naming the body & structure, other / unspecified and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 & structure233.3%
  • Other / unspecified233.3%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Tires & wheels116.7%

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

2 campaigns 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
24V395000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:CHARGER LOW VOLTAGE BATTERY

Jun 4, 2024
41,353 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.
The risk: A loose wire can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1786.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1786View on NHTSA.gov
20V075000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Feb 12, 2020
4,464 units potentially affected
The defect: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.
Forest River, Inc.Manufacturer number 51-1133View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling the RV trailer, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the flat tire was the result of a crack in the wheelbase of the wheel assembly. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11550434
Incident
Oct 12, 2023
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 10, 2023

Castle Rock ST 235/80R16 on the drivers side rear axle tire. I had just exited the interstate when the tire violently exploded. Debris from the side of the trailer and parts of the tire scattered across the opposing lane of traffic. Fortunately, no one was coming. This failure was harmful enough but would have been catastrophic for someone had this occurred on the busy interstate. Tire examined, belts had separated under the tread, leading to the failure. Examination of the remaining three tires, all Castle Rock, revealed one had underlying belt separation and was close to exploding and another had unusual wear indicating a separation was occurring. I have read multiple accounts of these tire exploding. The was no inspection by anyone. There was no warning at all. This explosion did approximately $1000 damage to my trailer. I know this because I have ordered repair parts. The trailer tires have 10589 miles on them, (my truck keeps the mileage.). Trailer with these tires installed was purchased in December 2019. Tire pressure monitored constantly and they were covered when not in use. DOT date code: 0619.

NHTSA ID
11526386
Incident
Jun 4, 2023
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 1, 2022

3 wheels have had holes/cracks causing them to leak air. had a tire blow out which caused major damage to the rv

NHTSA ID
11476880
Incident
Jun 29, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Jan 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Palomino Puma travel trailer. The contact stated that there was brown water leaking from the roof into the ceiling light fixture and walls of the RV. The RV was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the insulation caused the water to change to a brown color. The dealer replaced the wood on the walls of the RV; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.

NHTSA ID
11448087
Incident
Jan 19, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Aug 11, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the structure underneath the trailer detached from the RV. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving to his destination. The contact took the RV to an independent mechanic and was informed that the structure underneath the RV has been replaced. The RV was repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.

NHTSA ID
11428655
Incident
Apr 1, 2021
Mileage
2,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 14, 2021
Fire reported1 injury reported2 deaths reported

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FOREST RIVER PALOMINO PUMA 28BHSS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE SLEEPING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM INSIDE THE BUNKHOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AND WAS AWAKEN BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THEN SCREAMED FOR EVERYONE TO EVACUATE THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT'S TWO PETS DIED FROM THE FIRE AS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION ON THE SCENE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE FILED. THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS TOWED AND DEEMED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11416611
Incident
Apr 28, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

4251172

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

The Model Year identifier in the VIN (10th digit) that is printed on the Federal Placard is incorrect.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Forest River Puma by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025130—
2024040—
2023110—
2022340—
2021430—
2020Viewing620—
2019510—
2018330—
2017230—
2016230—
2015130—
2014140—
2013140—
2012020—
2011120—
2010120—
2009020—
2008120—
2007010—
2006110—

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.