RoadVitals

2015 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.
5
Latest Dec 14, 2019
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Suspension240.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Other / unspecified120.0%

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

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

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

May 27, 2015
1,529 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2015 Keystone Sprinter, Cougar, Montana, Montana High Country, Outback, Bullet, Avalanche, Alpine, Fuzion, Impact, Laredo, Raptor, Carbon, and Passport, and Dutchmen Kodiak, Aerolite, Denali, and Voltage vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the screws that attach the expanding room to the sliding mechanism cable may fail allowing the room to extend unintentionally while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk: If the room extends while vehicle is in motion, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will replace the screws that secure the drive chain, free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2015. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 15-225.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 15-225View on NHTSA.gov

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Apr 7, 2015
2,260 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Keystone Sprinter, Springdale, Bullet, Cougar, Hideout, and Passport trailers and 2015-2016 Dutchmen Aspen, Coleman, Denali, Razorback, Rubicon, and Voltage trailers. For a full list of the specific models and floor plans affected, see RCLRPT-15V207-4161.PDF under “Associated Documents.” In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
The risk: If the wheel studs break, the wheel could detach from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheel hubs, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2015. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 15-230.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 15-230View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Dec 14, 2019

ONLY EVENT SO FAR, A PROPERLY INFLATED TIRE HAD THE TREAD COME OFF THE CASING AT ABOUT 7000 MILES AT 60 MPH. I REPLACED THE OEM LOAD RANGE 'D' TIRES WITH LOAD RANGE 'E' TIRES.THESE OEM TIRES AT 2540# GIVE A SCANT 160# SAFETY MARGIN. IN JULY WHILE DOING MAINTENANCE FOR A 1500 MILE TRIP I READ THE AXLE TAGS SO I COULD OBTAIN THE CORRECT SEALS FOR THE HUB BEARINGS. THE AXLES ARE RATED 4400# EACH TIMES 2 IS 8800#. THE GVW RATING FOR THE TRAILER IS 10,000#. SO IF THIS 5TH WHEEL IS TRAVELING FULLY LOADED IT IS 1200# OVER THE CAPACITY OF THE INSTALLED AXLES. I AM A CERTIFIED AUTO TECHNICIAN, I FIND THIS UNSAFE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LARGE HILLS HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

NHTSA ID
11289033
Incident
Jun 10, 2016
Mileage
7,000 mi
Filed Jan 19, 2018

I HAVE A 2015 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER AND HAD A FAILURE OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER THAT IS MOUNTED TO THE BUMPER OF A PULL OUT BIKE/STORAGE TRAY. THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER BROKE OFF AND THE TIRE COULD HAVE CAUSED TERRIBLE DANGER TO ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT FORTUNATELY THAT DID NOT OCCUR. I GOT NO RESPONSE FROM KEYSTONE OR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. I SEE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2/25/10 FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON KEYSTONE FIFTH WHEELS. HOW DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING. I AM UNSURE HOW TO MOUNT THE SPARE TIRE SAFELY NOW AND KEYSTONE WILL NOT HELP. I AM CONCERNED IF I BUY ANOTHER CARRIER AND PLACE IT BACK ON THE BUMPER THE SAME THING WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN AGAIN AND IT COULD KILL SOMEONE ON THE ROAD IF IT CAME OFF. THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION.

NHTSA ID
11063838
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
5,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 7, 2017

FROM THE TIME I LEFT THE DEALER LOT, I NEVER HAD BRAKES THAT WORKED PROPERLY. INCREASING THE OUTPUT FROM THE BRAKE CONTROLLER DIDN'T HELP. THE BRAKES WOULD OVER HEAT AND NEVER FELT THAT I HAD ENOUGH BRAKE TO STOP THE TRAILER/TRUCK. HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED BY SEVERAL RV DEALERS WHICH LED TO AN ADJUST ONLY. RECENT TRIP CAUSED "HOT" BRAKES/WHEELS AND BRAKE SMELL. WENT TO A FACILITY THAT SPECIALIZES IN RV REPAIR AND TOLD THEM TO TEAR THE SYSTEM APART AND FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY FOUND NOT ENOUGH VOLTAGE AT BRAKES. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND EXCESSIVE LENGTH AND SMALL GAGE WIRE INSTALLED BY MANUFACTURER. NOT ENOUGH CURRENT GOING TO BRAKES. KEYSTONE INSTALLED 14 GAGE WIRE AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 12 GAGE.

NHTSA ID
11022172
Incident
Aug 26, 2017
Filed Jul 17, 2016

THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER MOUNTED ON THE REAR BUMPER BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. WE WERE SHOCKED TO SEE HOW LIGHT IT WAS MADE AFTER IT BROKE. NO INJURIES HAPPEN BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY. WE DID NOT FIND OUR SPARE TIRE.

NHTSA ID
10885387
Incident
Jul 15, 2016
Mileage
2,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 18, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE HANGER THAT HELD THE DRIVER SIDE SPRING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10865643
Incident
May 17, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

14-215

SUSPENSION

KEYSTONE RV COMPANY: CAMPAIGN BEING CONDUCTED ON CERTAIN 2015 KEYSTONE TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FIFTH WHELS. *LJ

14-215

SUSPENSION

THIS OWNER NOTIFICATION 14-215 INVOLVES UNITS WITH THE OCTAGON CORRECT TRACK CAM PLATE MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. IF THE HANGER HAS THE DEFECT PART AND THE INVOLVED COMPONENT HAS BEEN ADJUSTED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING SETTING, IT MAY ALLOW EXCESSIVE SUSPENSION MOVEMENT POSSIBLY CAUSING ABNORMAL WEAR OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OR TIRES. THE COMPONENT, AS INSTALLED AND NOT HAVING BEEN ADJUSTED, POSES NO SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR THE CONDITION AND REPLACED ALLOWING ADJUSTMENT IN THE FUTURE SHOULD IT BE REQUIRED.

14-215

EQUIPMENT

THIS COMMUNICATION IS INFORMING DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS OF OWNER NOTIFICATION 14-215 FOR THE OCTAGON CORRECT TRACK CAM PLATE MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION.

14-215

EQUIPMENT

THIS COMMUNICATION IS THE OWNER NOTIFICATION 14-215 FOR THE OCTAGON CORRECT TRACK CAM PLATE MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
2015Viewing530
2014440
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.