2018 Keystone Alpine Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Keystone Alpine, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Body & structure133.3%
- Electrical133.3%
- Suspension133.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
RV shows early sign of possible frame flex by developing a bulge on the front drivers side slideout area. Keystone was notified and denied warranty participation because unit was outside of the warranty period. Frame flex is a known safety issue on multiple RVs and keystone is aware of this. Keystone has repaired other units due to the safety concern of a crack in the frame jeopardizing the integrity of the RV while being towed. The RV was seen at the dealer who took measurements that are consistent with frame flex.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE POWER WIRE TO THE EMERGENCY BREAKAWAY SWITCH OF A 2018 KEYSTONE ALPINE 3400RS 5TH WHEEL TRAILER WAS WIRED DIRECTLY TO BATTERY POWER WITHOUT A FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER TO PROTECT IT. DUE TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, THAT POWER WIRE WAS PINCHED BETWEEN THE PIN BOX (5TH WHEEL HITCH) AND THE FIBERGLASS FRONT CAP OF THE TRAILER. THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE CHAFED DURING TRAVEL DUE TO FLEXING AND EVENTUALLY SHORTED TO THE PIN BOX WHICH IS CHASSIS GROUND. AS THE WIRE WAS NOT FUSED, IT GOT VERY HOT, MELTED THE INSULATION ON THE WIRE, AND MELTED TO OTHER WIRES IN THE LOOM. THERE WAS A HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE FIRE. *TT *TR *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SHAKLE BOLTS HOLDING THE SPRINGS AND AXELS TO THE FRAME ARE LOOSE AND OR STRIPPED CAUSING THE NUT TO FALL OFF THE SHAKLE BOLT AND THE BOLT EVENTUALLY WORKING ITS WAY OUT OF THE MOUNTING ALLOWING THE AXEL TO SHIFT UNDER THE TRAILER POSSIBLY CAUSING AN CATASTOPHIC ACCIDENT. I WAS INFORMED TO CHECK THE BOLTS FROM AN OWNER OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE CAMPER. FORTUNATELY, I FOUND ONE STRIPPED READY TO FALL OFF, AND 4 LOOSE BEFORE MY NEXT TRIP. UNFORTUNATELY HE LOST ONE OF THE BOLTS AND HIS AXEL COCKED SIDEWAYS AND WORE OUT HIS REAR SET OF TIRES. I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE NUT THAT WAS STRIPPED. THESE NUTS AND BOLTS ARE A CRITICAL PART OF THE SAFETY AND SUSPENTION OF THE TRAILER AND NEED TO BE PROPERLY TORQUED AND CHECKED BEFORE THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .