RoadVitals

2009 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.
4
Latest May 15, 2014
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.
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the body & structure and tires & wheels categories. 3 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

  • Body & structure360.0%
  • Tires & wheels240.0%

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
11V561000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Nov 22, 2011
805 units potentially affected
The defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 12, 2006, THROUGH FEBRUARY 12, 2009, FOR INCORRECT INFORMATION ON THE FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION TAG AND TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF PART 567, "CERTIFICATION." THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A LABEL THAT LISTS THE MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE OF 80PSI INSTEAD OF THE CORRECT MAXIMUM PRESSURE OF 65PSI.
The risk: OVERINFLATING TIRES INCREASES THE RISK OF TIRE FAILURE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: KEYSTONE WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
KEYSTONE RV COMPANYManufacturer number 11-171View on NHTSA.gov
10V063000

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

Feb 25, 2010
2,893 units potentially affected
The defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 COUGAR AND LAREDO TRAILERS AND FIFTH WHEEL VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED A LIMITED NUMBER OF FAILURES WITH ITS SPARE TIRE CARRIERS IN PARTICULAR, THE SPARE TIRE CARRIERS, WHEN COMBINED WITH A 16" SPARE TIRE AND WHEN INSTALLED ON THE BUMPER OF A SLIDE OUT BIKE/STORAGE RACK, MAY BREAK OR CRACK AFTER TIME CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF.
The risk: IF THE TIRE CARRIER FAILS CAUSING THE TIRE TO COME LOOSE, THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: THE REMEDY IS TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WITH A NEW SPARE TIRE CARRIER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ONMARCH 8, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 1-866-425-4369.
KEYSTONE RV COMPANYManufacturer number 10-129View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed May 15, 2014

THE WELDS ON THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER START TEARING FROM IT BEING TIGHTENED TO MUCH TO THE REAR BUMPER CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO START LEANING IN A BACK POSITION. IF THE CARRIER IS NOT REPLACED , THE SPARE TIRE WILL FALL OFF WHEN THE WELDS COMPLETELY BRAKE (THIS IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION) . *TR

NHTSA ID
10588560
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
1,000 mi
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Jul 27, 2013

HELLO, I PURCHASED A 2009 KEYSTONE COUGAR 318SAB ON JUNE 7, 2013. DURING THE FINAL WALK THRU INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER WAS CRACKED AND THE TIRE WOBBLING AROUND. THE DEALER, RUFF'S RV IN EUCLID, OH SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO GET ME A NEW SPARE TIRE CARRIER. A FEW WEEKS HAS GONE BY, AND I HAVE NO REPLACEMENT CARRIER. I THEN SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A KEYSTONE SAFETY RECALL: 10V-063. THIS RECALL IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY UNIT, EXCEPT THAT I HAVE 15" TIRES INSTEAD OF 16" TIRES. I THEN CALLED KEYSTONE AND WAS TOLD MY RV IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I TOLD THE WOMAN THAT MY RV HAS THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL, BUT SHE INSISTED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED BECAUSE OF KEYSTONE'S NEGLIGENCE FOR NOT INCLUDING RV'S WITH 15" TIRES! IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE BY YOUR OFFICE TO CORRECT THIS? THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME! *TR

NHTSA ID
10532136
Incident
Jul 5, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Apr 10, 2012

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, I OBSERVED TRAILER WAS SITTING LOWER THAN NORMAL AND CLOSE TO BED OF TRUCK. ON STOPPING AND INSPECTING I OBSERVED PIN BOX WAS TILTED UPWARD AND NO LONGER LEVEL. IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND DISCONNECTED TRAILER. INSPECTED PINBOX AT FRAME AND FOUND STEEL TEARING AWAY FROM FRAME AT WELDS. FURTHER INSPECTION THROUGH REMOVAL OF SHROUD SHOWED FRONT CROSS MEMBER ARCHED UPWARD CLOSE TO 6 INCHES FROM HORIZONTAL. ENTIRE PINBOX NEARLY SEVERED FROM MAIN FRAME WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN TOTAL TRAILER SEPARATION AND PENITENTIAL DEATH AND INJURY TO OTHERS AND MYSELF. CONTACTED LOCAL CERTIFIED WELDER WHO STATED STEEL SHOWED SIGNS OF FATIGUE INDUCED BY INSUFFICIENT SIZE AND POOR WELDS. PORTIONS OF PINBOX WERE IMPROPERLY WELDED AND STEEL WAS IMPROPERLY SIZED. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED ADDITIONAL FAILURES BY SAME FRAME MANUFACTURER LIPPERT COMPONENTS INCORPORATED WHICH WERE IDENTICAL IN PHOTOGRAPHS ON THE INTERNET. MANUFACTURER OF RV AND FRAME REFUSE TO EXAMINE DAMAGE OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY SINCE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454640
Incident
Apr 10, 2012
Mileage
5,000 mi
Filed Aug 5, 2011

THE AREA OF THE FRAME WHERE THE PIN BOX ATTACHES FAILED. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THE WELDS WERE NOT DONE CORRECTLY WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. MULTIPLE AREAS OF POOR WELD PENETRATION WERE EVIDENT IN THE FRAME FAILURE AREA, AND THE RESULTING FAILURE ALLOWED THE HITCH TO DISCONNECT FROM 75% OF ONE FRAME RAIL AND ABOUT 50% OF THE REMAINING FRAME RAIL. AN INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF SIMILAR FAILURE OF LIPPERT COMPONENTS FRAMES USED BY VARIOUS MANUFACTURES. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THIS SAME PROBLEM WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL IN 1999 ON CARRIAGE 5TH WHEEL TRAILERS.

NHTSA ID
10418653
Incident
Jul 25, 2011
Mileage
10,000 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—
2009Viewing430—
2008930—
2007960—
2006641—
2005731—
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.