RoadVitals

2005 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.
7
Latest Oct 28, 2009
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.
3
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.
1
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

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, electrical and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

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

  • Tires & wheels457.1%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Other / unspecified114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%

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

Safety recalls

3 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
08V325000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 17, 2008
161,250 units potentially affected
The defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING 161,250 MY 2004-2007 FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: KEYSTONE IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER 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 AT 1-866-425-4369.
KEYSTONE RV COMPANYManufacturer number 08-111View on NHTSA.gov
05V424000

WHEELS:RIM

Sep 23, 2005
834 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FIFTH WHEEL RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TREDIT 16" CHROME WHEELS, THE RIMS MAY HAVE POOR WELD QUALITY AND INSUFFICIENT PRESS FIT BETWEEN THE WHEEL RIM AND DISC.
The risk: THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL COULD SEPARATE FROM THE RIM. THE WHEEL MAY WOBBLE AND CAUSE A VIBRATION OR THE MOUNTED TIRE COULD LOSE AIR CAUSING THE TIRE TO GO FLAT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: KEYSTONE IS WORKING WITH TREDIT TIRE TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND HAVE THE WHEELS REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 866-425-4369.
KEYSTONE RV COMPANYManufacturer number 05-060View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE05022ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

CRACKED OR BROKEN WHEELS

Opened May 4, 2005
Closed Sep 26, 2005

IN RESPONSE TO THE PRODUCT FAILURES THAT PROMPTED ODI TO INITIATE INVESTIGATION PE05-022, KEYSTONE RV HAS FILED TWO DEFECT NOTICES (1) 05V-201 ON MAY 5, 2005 TO ADDRESS 174 MODEL YEAR 2006 CAMBRIDGE VEHICLES AND (2) 05V-424 ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2005 TO ADDRESS 834 MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 MOUNTAINEER, COUGAR, SPRINTER, AND TAIL-GATOR MODEL VEHICLES.BOTH CAMPAIGNS PROPOSE TO REPLACE CERTAIN 16 CHROME PLATED STEEL WHEELS THAT WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT IN THESE VEHICLES.TREDIT TIRE, KEYSTONE RV'S SUPPLIER OF TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLIES, HAD INVESTIGATED THE REASONS FOR THE CRACKED AND BROKEN WHEELS, DETERMINED THE CAUSES, AND NOTIFIED KEYSTONE AND ODI (05E-051) OF THEIR FINDINGS IN AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 2005.KEYSTONE RV HAS REPORTED FIVE INCIDENTS OF WHEEL CRACKS IN 2004 AND 2005 MODEL YEAR MONTANA BIG SKY FIFTH WHEEL VEHICLES. THESE REPORTS INDICATE THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 2005 MAY ALSO BE EXPERIENCING CRACKED, BROKEN, OR LEAKING WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL EVALUATE WHETHER ADDITIONAL ACTIONS APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED FOR WHEELS INSTALLED IN KEYSTONE RV VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 2005 AND NOT ADDRESSED BY CAMPAIGN O5V-201 OR 05V-424.

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVERLed to recall 05V201000

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Oct 28, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KEYSTONE COUGAR TRAILER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT BOTH REAR AXLE SHACKLES REAR CENTER HAD FRACTURED. THE SPRINGS HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. HE HAD A CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10290107
Incident
Oct 23, 2009
Mileage
22,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Oct 21, 2008

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE REFRIGERATOR IN OUR KEYSTONE COUGAR TRAVEL TRAILER. THE RECALL ONLY BANDAIDS THE PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THAT IS RIDICULOUS. I BOUGHT MY CAMPER BRAND NEW AND HAVE HAD IT FOR 2 YEARS. NOW I HAD TO PAY $400.00 IN LABOR BECAUSE MY COOLANT LEAKED BECAUSE THE FAULTY TUBE WAS CRACKED. THEY WILL NOT PAY THE LABOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10246237
Incident
Oct 8, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 14, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KEYSTONE COUGAR. THE VEHICLE HAS TIRECO MISSION, SIZE ST22575R15 TIRES. THE CONTACT NOTICED BULGES IN THE CENTER TIRE. THE TIRE EVENTUALLY BLEW OUT AND CAUSED MINIMAL DAMAGE. ANOTHER BLOWOUT OCCURRED LATER, WHICH CAUSED MORE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE CONTACT CHANGED THE TIRE AND WENT TO SILVER MOON AUTO REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRES WOULD ALSO EXPERIENCE A BLOWOUT AND CALLED THEM "CHEAP". HE THEN PROCEEDED TO REPLACE THE REMAINING TIRES. TIRECO STATED THAT THEY WANTED TO INSPECT THE TIRES TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE FAULTY. THE CONTACT SENT THE TIRES TO TIRECO AND THEY SENT HIM A CHECK FOR THE THREE TIRES. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10218080
Incident
Jul 10, 2007
Electrical
Filed Nov 27, 2007
Fire reported

ON NOVEMBER 25, 2007 I WAS CLOSING UP MY KEYSTONE COURGAR TRAVEL TRAILER AFTER HAVING USED IT FOR 4 DAYS. AFTER I SLID IN THE TWO SIDEOUTS ON THE TRAILER I BEGAN TO SMELL RUBBER BURNING AND I BEGAN SEARCHING TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I FOUND FLAMES INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE TRAILER AT THE AFT END OF WHERE THE LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM SIDEOUT MATED TO THE TRAILER. I REOPENED THE TRAILER, GRABBED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, SLIDE THE SIDEOUTS OUT AWAY TO GET TO THE FLAMES AND EXTINGUISH THEM. IF I HAD NOT NOTICED IT AS SOON AS I DID I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD FANNING THE FLAMES AND CREATING A SERIOUS HAZARD TO OTHERS NOT TO MENTION MY WIFE AND MYSELF. IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT THAT IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210049
Incident
Nov 25, 2007
Mileage
150 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 12, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR THERMO KING TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING 500 MILES, THE SPARE BLEW OUT AS WELL. THE ORIGINAL AND THE SPARE TIRE WERE THE SAME BRAND, MODEL, AND SIZE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10196209
Incident
Jun 16, 2007
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED TWO PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT. THE TIRES SEPARATED AND SHREDDED. THE TIRES WERE MISSION TIRES. MANUFACTURED BY TIRECO. SIZE: 225/75/R-15. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10168345
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 15, 2006

2005 KEYSTONE COUGAR 281 EFS 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAD A TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. I DO NOT KNOW IF I HIT SOMETHING OR THE TIRE JUST FAILED. I DID FIND OUT SOME INTERESTING INFORMATION FROM THE TIRE SHOP. THE GVW OF THE TRAILER IS 10,300 LBS. THE ST225/75R15 TIRES ARE RATED @ 2,540 LBS EACH. THE TOTAL IS 10,160 LBS. MAX WEIGHT FOR 4 TIRES. THIS IS 140 LBS. LESS THAN THE GVW. THIS SOUNDS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE TRAILER WAS NOT LOADED TO THE MAX GVW, HOWEVER, THE TIRES SHOULD AT LEAST EQUAL OR EXCEED THE GVW OF THE TRAILER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10165494
Incident
Aug 14, 2006
Mileage
4,980 mi

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—
2005Viewing731—
20042630—
2003620—
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.