RoadVitals

2016 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 Mar 20, 2024
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.
2
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the other / unspecified, suspension and brakes categories. 2 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

  • Other / unspecified228.6%
  • Suspension228.6%
  • Brakes114.3%
  • Electrical114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%

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

2 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
15V207000

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 / unspecified
Filed Mar 20, 2024
Fire reported

The domestic refrigerator on this 2016 KEYSTONE RV caught on fire while traveling.

NHTSA ID
11578572
Incident
Mar 11, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Jun 26, 2017

2016 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THREADED ROD THAT CLAMPS DOWN THE PROPANE TANKS BECAME UNSCREWED FROM TRAILER TONGUE WITH GAS REGULATOR STILL ATTACHED. *SMD UPDATED 06/26/2017*JS UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10918253
Incident
Oct 1, 2016
Suspension
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KEYSTONE COUGAR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ALL FOUR TIRES STRUCK AGAINST THE FLOOR OF THE RV. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED HEAVIER SPRINGS AND AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 650. UPDATED 01/06/17*LJ UPDATED 6/29/18*JB

NHTSA ID
10920372
Incident
Sep 14, 2016
Mileage
650 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KEYSTONE COUGAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 63 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FLATTENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND HAD TO BE DRIVEN LESS THAN 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10906328
Incident
Sep 13, 2016
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 11, 2015

I PURCHASED A NEW TRAVEL TRAILER MANUFACTURED BY KEYSTONE IN MAY OF 2015. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER MY FIRST TRIP WHEN I REALIZED THE BRAKES BARELY FUNCTIONED. AFTER 4 MONTHS OF TRYING TO GET THE MANUFACTURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK FROM THE FACTORY KEYSTONE STATED THAT THEY FELT THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THE DEALER, RCD SALES AGREED WITH ME THAT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THEY HAD A SECOND 2016 TRAILER ON THEIR LOT WHICH THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION EITHER AND THEY WERE SCARED TO SALE IT. I REVIEWED THE BRAKES MYSELF THEY WEEKEND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WIRING USED BY THE MANUFACTURE WAS TOO SMALL. THERE WAS NEARLY A 3 VOLT (25%) VOLTAGE DROP FROM THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE BRAKE DRUMS. AFTER REPLACING WHAT APPEARED TO BE 16 GAUGE WIRE WITH 12 GAUGE WIRE THE BRAKES NOW WORK PROPERLY. KEYSTONE HOWEVER IS STILL MANUFACTURING TRAILERS WITH INADEQUATE BRAKING CAUSED BY UNDERSIZED WIRING AND INSISTING THEY ARE SAFE.

NHTSA ID
10747990
Incident
Aug 10, 2015
Mileage
300 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—
2016Viewing520—
2015530—
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.