RoadVitals

2003 Keystone Cougar

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 Jun 21, 2012
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 Nov 22, 2017
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, tires & wheels and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Other / unspecified450.0%
  • Tires & wheels225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

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
17V755000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
1,205,997 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V755-5127.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-574-535-2100, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 17-307View on NHTSA.gov
07V134000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 22, 2007
122,162 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN CERTAIN TUBING IN THE REFRIGERATOR WHICH COULD ALLOW PRESSURIZED FLAMMABLE COOLANT SOLUTION TO BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: KEYSTONE RV WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING AND THERMAL FUSES FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR KEYSTONE RV AT 574-535-2100.
KEYSTONE RV COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BIRD'S NEST IN THE PIN BOX OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEAD OF THE PIN BOX WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WORK OF THE PIN BOX WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10462574
Incident
May 24, 2012
Other / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Nov 18, 2008

GOING FROM CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS ON INTERSTATE 15 ABOUT TEN MILES FROM THE NEVADA STATE LINE WHEN I HEARD A WHOLE LOT OF THUMPING FROM MY COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAD JUST TRAVERSED A VERY ROUGH SECTION OF ROAD WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS AND NO SHOULDERS ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE PRECARIOUSLY NARROW SHOULDER AS SOON AS IT SEEMED SAFE. IT REALLY WASN'T SAFE. I SAW THAT MY FRONT TIRE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SHREDDED BUT THAT THE REAR TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING THE FRONT TIRE JUST OFF ITS RIM. I FOUND A BETTER SHOULDER. I GOT SOME RV ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE BIG REPAIR TRUCK PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND THE GUY PUT ON MY SPARE. HE MENTIONED THAT HE SMELLED A LOT OF PROPANE, SO I SHUT OFF THE TANK SUPPLY VALVES. I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE RV NEAR THE SITE OF THE FLAT. THE SHEET METAL WAS PULLED OUT AND THE PLASTIC FENDER PANEL BROKEN. ALSO THERE WAS A ?T? IN THE PROPANE LINE NEAR THE TIRE WITH A TERMINAL CAP AND A TINY PIECE OF CRUMPLED UP COPPER TUBING POKING OUT OF A FITTING. AFTER TURNING ON THE PROPANE I COULD TELL IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS LEAKING BADLY, SO I TURNED THE PROPANE OFF AGAIN. LATER, I REALIZED THAT MY HEATER WASN'T WORKING. I DISCOVERED THAT I APPARENTLY LEFT PIECE OF THE HEATERS PROPANE COPPER SUPPLY LINE ON INTERSTATE 15. THE COPPER LINE LED THROUGH THE UNDERCARRIAGE ABOVE THE TIRE THAT WAS DESTROYED LEAVING A TELLTALE HOLE. THE TIRE RESIDUE SHREDDED THE COPPER GAS LINE IN SHORT ORDER. CONSIDERING HOW THE REST OF THE PROPANE SUPPLY LINE IS RATHER SOLID BLACK PIPE, I WOULD CONSIDER THIS GROUNDS FOR A RECALL. FLAT TIRES SHOULD NOT CAUSE DANGEROUS PROPANE LEAKS! FIXING THE HEATER HOSE SEEMED STRAIGHTFORWARD ENOUGH. I BOUGHT A MADE UP REPLACEMENT HOSE AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ORIGINAL COPPER HOSE WAS NOT THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO GO. I THEN DRILLED A SMALL HOLE UP THROUGH THE FLOORING ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE ORIGINAL HOLE. THE NEW HOLE IS OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL, CLOSER TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE FIFTH WHEEL. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249155
Incident
Oct 31, 2008
Mileage
10,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2652. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG AMMONIA ODOR COMING FROM THE UNIT AND THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEAT TUBE WAS FRACTURED WITH A SLIGHT LEAK. THE REFRIGERATOR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT DOMETIC WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COOLING UNIT. THE PART NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10231457
Incident
Apr 29, 2008
Suspension
Filed Sep 18, 2007

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 COUGAR 5TH WHEEL MANUFACTURED BY KEYSTONE. TWO MONTHS PAST THE 1-YEAR MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, WE EXPERIENCED TWO TIRE BLOWOUTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE TIRES, WE REPLACED THEM ALL WITH NEW 10-PLY TIRES. AFTER LESS THAN 1,000 MILES, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE SAME SIDE RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER SIDING. IN AUGUST 2007 BEFORE TAKING A TRIP, I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE NEW 10-PLY TIRES HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDE WALL. I REPLACED THE TIRE. ON THE WAY HOME, AFTER TRAVELING LESS THAN 500 MILES, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR. IN RESEARCHING THE WEB, WE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, KEYSTONE AND ALKO REGARDING AXLE PROBLEMS. ALL THREE HAVE DECLINED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO USE OUR 5TH WHEEL BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10203378
Incident
Aug 18, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 27, 2007

NANKING MILESTAR TRAILER TIRES SIDEWALL FAILURE/CRACKING ST225/75R15 LOAD RANGE D

NHTSA ID
10194797
Incident
May 26, 2007
Mileage
975 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BUMPER METAL WAS OBSERVED TO BE TORN ON BOTH SIDES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE TRAILER TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10171438
Incident
Oct 10, 2006

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Keystone Cougar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025010—
2024010—
2023110—
2022360—
2021470—
2020380—
2019980—
2018440—
2017370—
2016520—
2015530—
2014440—
2013620—
2012520—
2011970—
20101040—
2009430—
2008930—
2007960—
2006641—
2005731—
20042630—
2003Viewing620—
2002610—
2001310—
2000120—
1999010—

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.