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2014 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 Aug 3, 2018
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.
4
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 2014 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, body & structure and brakes categories. 4 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

  • Exterior lighting233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%

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

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
14V146000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER/BRACKET

Mar 27, 2014
32 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2014 Summerland, Springdale, Bullet, and Cougar recreational travel trailers and fifth wheels. The affected vehicles may have been built with frame spring hangers that may be brittle and susceptible to fracturing.
The risk: A spring hanger that fractures may result in a loss of control of the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the spring hanger, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 17, 2014. Owners may contact Keystone at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 14-205.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 14-205View on NHTSA.gov
14V120000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Mar 12, 2014
708 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cougar, Springdale, Hideout, Passport, and Bullet fifth wheels and travel trailers manufactured January 13, 2014, through February 12,2014. In the affected vehicles, the inner wheel bearings on the axle may have insufficient lubrication.
The risk: With an insufficient amount of lubrication, the wheel bearing and hub may become overheated and the wheel may seize or separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axle hubs and bearings for the proper lubrication. Any damaged bearings will be replaced. These repirs will be performed, free of charge. The recall began on April 7, 2014. Owners may contact Keystone at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number associated with this recall is 14-202.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 14-202View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Aug 3, 2018

WAS DRIVING ON 10 FREEWAY IN CALIFORNIA WAS MOTIONED BY A PASSING CAR THAT WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH SPARE TIRE ON THE BACK OF OUR RV FIFTHWHEEL. WHEN WE PULLED OVER THE SPARE TIRE WAS NEARLY ON THE GROUND. THE BUMPER WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE HAD BASICALLY RIPPED AND WAS PEELING AWAY( FROM THE WELDS )AND WAS JUST BARELY HOLDING ON. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE FIFTHWHEEL (BRAND NEW, NOT USED) WE DID NOT ADD OR CHANGE ANYTHING. WE FOUND RECALLS ON THIS EXACT THING,BUT WHEN NOTIFING KEYSTONE ALL THEY WOULD SAY WAS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND RECALL NOT GOOD ON OUR YEAR. I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES FOR SOMEONE HIGHER UP TO TALK TO BUT WAS NOT GIVEN ANY INFORMATION. THIS BICYCLE RACK/ BUMPER WAS INSTALLED BY FACTORY AND WAS RECALLED ON 2008,2010,2012 MODELS. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON A VERY BUISY FREEWAY AND KEYSTONE IS NOT INTERESTED IN HELPING WITH THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11115549
Incident
Jul 27, 2018
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 18, 2016

THE ELECTRIC BRAKES HAVE A VERY FLIMSY CONNECTION BEHIND EACH BRAKE PLATE. A VERY SMALL WIRE IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. IN OUR CASE, SOMETHING BROKE THE WIRE AND THE BRAKES FAILED. KEYSTONE HAD THEIR DEALER REPAIR THE WIRE TO ITS ORIGINAL FLIMSY STATE. A FEW MONTHS AGO THE TRAILER BRAKES WERE IRRATIC (UNRELIABLE). I TOOK THE TRAILER TO REPAIR FACILITY. IN SEARCHING FOR THE PROBLEM, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE RUBBER GASKET ON ALL FOUR INNER GREASE SEALS WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDERSIZED. IF THE GREASE ISN'T CONTAINED IN THE BEARINGS, EVENTUALLY THE WHEELS WILL FALL OFF. PICTURES ARE ATTACHED. THE HEAT IN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAS ALWAYS BEEN OF CONCERN. PICTURES OF A PARTIALLY MELTED LIGHT BULB AND LENSES ARE ATTACHED. VARIOUS ARTICLES SAY GLASS WILL MELT AT 900F ISN'T A 900F A FIRE HAZARD. I REPLACED THE BULBS WITH LED'S WHICH WAS A SIMPLE PROCESS. I WROTE TO THE PRESIDENT OF KEYSTONE. HE SAID THE DIRECTOR OF OWNER RELATIONS CALL ME; SHE THE CONDITIONS I REPORTED WERE NORMAL AND THAT KEYSTONE WOULDN'T PARTICIPATE IN FIXING THESE ISSUES NOR REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10885443
Incident
Jul 1, 2015
Mileage
5,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 22, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE AWNING MOTOR DETACHED. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO AN RV DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER, HIS UNIT WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 08/22/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10875842
Incident
May 31, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed May 17, 2016

WE HAVE A 2014 COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL- MODEL 29RET THE HEAT IN THE INTERIOR LIGHTS HAS ALWAYS BEEN OF CONCERN. SO, I ORDERED LED REPLACEMENTS FOR THE 921 BULBS YOUR INSTALLED. UPON INSPECTION (SEE PICTURES) YOU'LL SEE THAT SOME OF THE ORIGINAL 921 BULBS ARE DISFIGURED BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT AND ONE OF THE LENSES HAS BEEN DEFORMED. IT HAS TO TAKE A LOT OF HEAT TO MELT A LIGHT BULB. THIS HAS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
10865339
Incident
Dec 16, 2015

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—
2014Viewing440—
2013620—
2012520—
2011970—
20101040—
2009430—
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.