2008 Keystone Cougar 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 2008 Keystone Cougar, 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
- Tires & wheels533.3%
- Body & structure320.0%
- Other / unspecified213.3%
- Brakes213.3%
- Electrical16.7%
- Heating & air conditioning16.7%
- Visibility16.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE HOLDER ON EXTENDABLE BUMPER OF MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER FAILED AT WELDS WITH A ST 235 80R 16 TIRE ON IT. CAUGHT IT AS I WAS ROTATING TIRES AND REMOVED TIRE FROM HOLDER. I REPAIRED IT BY WELDING A BRACE ON IT BUT IT FAILED AGAIN AT ANOTHER WELD. I REMOVED IT AND SCRAPPED IT, AND CARRY A SPARE IN BACK OF THE TRUCK. 6-10-12 I READ THE RECALL ON THE GOOD SAM WEBSITE AND REALIZED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV EQUIPPED WITH DURO TIRES, SIZE 225/75/D15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPARE TIRE HOLDER ON EXTENDABLE BUMPER OF MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER FAILED AT WELDS WITH A ST 235 80R 16 TIRE ON IT. CAUGHT IT AS I WAS ROTATING TIRES AND REMOVED TIRE FROM HOLDER. I REPAIRED IT BY WELDING A BRACE ON IT BUT IT FAILED AGAIN AT ANOTHER WELD. I REMOVED IT AND SCRAPPED IT, AND CARRY A SPARE IN BACK OF THE TRUCK. 6-10-12 I READ THE RECALL ON THE GOOD SAM WEBSITE AND REALIZED I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR UPDATED 07/25/12 *BF
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE FIFTH WHEEL CAUSED THE TIRES TO FAIL. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT CHEAP WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE. UPDATED 08/31/09 *BF THE BRAKES ON THE RV WERE EXTREMELY LOUD EVERYTIME THEY WERE APPLIED. UPDATED 09/09/09. JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL RV TRAILER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2007 DODGE RAM 2500 AT 60 MPH WHILE TOWING THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND BOTH THE VEHICLE AND THE TRAILER ROLLED OVER INTO A DITCH. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE HITCH PIN BOX ALLOWED THE TRAILER TO BE DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE HITCH PIN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. HE STATED THAT TWO SEMI TRUCKS DROVE PAST HIM AT VERY HIGH SPEED, SPEED CAUSING THE TRAILER AND THE TRUCK TO ROLL OVER AND THEY BECAME DISCONNECTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,999.
WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 29 SAB KEYSTONE COUGAR 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. KEYSTONE ISN'T RECOGNIZING A HEATING SYSTEM PROBLEM WITHIN OUR UNIT, SUBURBAN SF-30F MODEL FURNACE. I DON'T BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE FURNACE, YET. HISTORY IS FOLLOWING: FRONT FLOOR REGISTERS PRODUCE 20 TO 0 CFMS, BACK RV REGISTERS PRODUCE 80 TO OVER 150 CFMS. TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE ARE UNSAFE, WITH THERMOSTAT PLACEMENT AT THE FRONT OF THE RV. IT COULD BE A DUCTING PROBLEM WITHIN THE UNIT OR PROBLEM WITH THE FURNACE ITSELF. OUR DEALER, A LOCAL HVAC COMPANY AS WELL AS DUCT LAYOUT SPECIALIST FROM INSCO. INC. HAVE FOUND PROBLEMS. ALL CFM MEASUREMENTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY TWO PROFESSIONALS IN THE HVAC INDUSTRY AS WELL AS OUR DEALER, CRESTVIEW RV. WE AND OUR DEALER CONTACED KEYSTONE REQUESTING REMEDIES THAT WILL NOT VOID WARRANTIES, KEYSTONE REPEATEDLY STATES OUR UNIT IS WORKING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER AS ACKNOLEDGED THERE PROBLEMS. UPON REQUESTING SPECS FOR OUR UNIT KEYSTONE STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE THEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY HARD TO BELIEVE. OUR 2008 RV HAS BEEN IN SERVICE OVER 60 DAYS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. KEYSTONE SUGGESTED CLOSING REGISTERS TO FORCE MORE HEAT ELSEWHERE, THE SUBURBAN WEBSITE DOCUMENTATION CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS MAY DAMAGE THE FURNACE. SUGGESTION TWO OF KEYSTONE: TURN ON THE HEATER AND LET IT RUN, THEN DO TEMPERATURE READINGS IN EACH ROOM. CRESTVIEW DID THIS ON 1/27/09, OURSIDE TEMPS 29 TO 31 DEGREES. FINDINGS SUPPORT OUR CLAIMS, ROOM TEMPERATURES CONTAINING REGISTERS: FRONT BEDROOM 57 DEG, FRONT BATH 54 DEG, LIVING ROOM 69 DEG, REAR BATH 91 DEG. THERMOSTAT SET AT 70 DEGREES, THE HEATER DID NOT SHUT OFF ALL NIGHT.TTHE SEALED COMBUSTION CHAMBER IS NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THESE CONTINUTED EXTREMES AND WILL CRACK. APPARENTLY KEYSTONE BELIEVES THIS IS WITHIN SPECS AS THEY STATED FOLLOWING THE TESTS. NO VISIBLE DAMAGES CAN BE RECORDED, BUT CONTINUED KEYSTONE'S "NORMAL SPEC" USE COULD CAUSE FIRE, CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR DEATH. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TWO PASSENGER SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE WEIGHT OF THE FIFTH WHEEL CAUSED THE TIRES TO FAIL. HE STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PUT CHEAP WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE. UPDATED 08/31/09 *BF THE BRAKES ON THE RV WERE EXTREMELY LOUD EVERYTIME THEY WERE APPLIED. UPDATED 09/09/09. JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE WIRE WAS PINCHED BY THE DUMP VALVE SHAFTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SECURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRES WERE LAYING LOOSE AND NOT SECURED IN THE AREA OF THE DUMP VALVES. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
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
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE WIRE WAS PINCHED BY THE DUMP VALVE SHAFTS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND SECURED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRES WERE LAYING LOOSE AND NOT SECURED IN THE AREA OF THE DUMP VALVES. UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 (NA) KEYSTONE COUGAR RECREATIONAL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAMPER HEATING SYSTEM IN THE REAR OF THE CAMPER WAS SO HOT THAT BLISTERS FORMED ON THE BOTTOM OF HER FEET. SHE STATED THAT HEAT DOES NOT TRAVEL TO THE FRONT OF THE CAMPER. THE CAMPER LEAKS BECAUSE THE HOLES FOR THE DRAIN WERE INSTALLED IMPROPERLY. THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT IN THE REAR WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE CAMPER IS VERY UNSAFE DUE TO THE LEAKS AND THE HEATING SYSTEM. SHE CALLED KEYSTONE, BUT THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL. SHE BELIEVES THAT KEYSTONE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE CURRENTLY OWN A 2008 29 SAB KEYSTONE COUGAR 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. KEYSTONE ISN'T RECOGNIZING A HEATING SYSTEM PROBLEM WITHIN OUR UNIT, SUBURBAN SF-30F MODEL FURNACE. I DON'T BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS WITHIN THE FURNACE, YET. HISTORY IS FOLLOWING: FRONT FLOOR REGISTERS PRODUCE 20 TO 0 CFMS, BACK RV REGISTERS PRODUCE 80 TO OVER 150 CFMS. TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE ARE UNSAFE, WITH THERMOSTAT PLACEMENT AT THE FRONT OF THE RV. IT COULD BE A DUCTING PROBLEM WITHIN THE UNIT OR PROBLEM WITH THE FURNACE ITSELF. OUR DEALER, A LOCAL HVAC COMPANY AS WELL AS DUCT LAYOUT SPECIALIST FROM INSCO. INC. HAVE FOUND PROBLEMS. ALL CFM MEASUREMENTS HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY TWO PROFESSIONALS IN THE HVAC INDUSTRY AS WELL AS OUR DEALER, CRESTVIEW RV. WE AND OUR DEALER CONTACED KEYSTONE REQUESTING REMEDIES THAT WILL NOT VOID WARRANTIES, KEYSTONE REPEATEDLY STATES OUR UNIT IS WORKING TO MANUFACTURER SPECS, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER AS ACKNOLEDGED THERE PROBLEMS. UPON REQUESTING SPECS FOR OUR UNIT KEYSTONE STATES THEY DO NOT HAVE THEM. THIS IS EXTREMELY HARD TO BELIEVE. OUR 2008 RV HAS BEEN IN SERVICE OVER 60 DAYS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. KEYSTONE SUGGESTED CLOSING REGISTERS TO FORCE MORE HEAT ELSEWHERE, THE SUBURBAN WEBSITE DOCUMENTATION CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS MAY DAMAGE THE FURNACE. SUGGESTION TWO OF KEYSTONE: TURN ON THE HEATER AND LET IT RUN, THEN DO TEMPERATURE READINGS IN EACH ROOM. CRESTVIEW DID THIS ON 1/27/09, OURSIDE TEMPS 29 TO 31 DEGREES. FINDINGS SUPPORT OUR CLAIMS, ROOM TEMPERATURES CONTAINING REGISTERS: FRONT BEDROOM 57 DEG, FRONT BATH 54 DEG, LIVING ROOM 69 DEG, REAR BATH 91 DEG. THERMOSTAT SET AT 70 DEGREES, THE HEATER DID NOT SHUT OFF ALL NIGHT.TTHE SEALED COMBUSTION CHAMBER IS NOT GOING TO TOLERATE THESE CONTINUTED EXTREMES AND WILL CRACK. APPARENTLY KEYSTONE BELIEVES THIS IS WITHIN SPECS AS THEY STATED FOLLOWING THE TESTS. NO VISIBLE DAMAGES CAN BE RECORDED, BUT CONTINUED KEYSTONE'S "NORMAL SPEC" USE COULD CAUSE FIRE, CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR DEATH. *TR
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 .