RoadVitals

2017 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.
3
Latest Sep 18, 2025
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.
7
Latest May 24, 2021
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the body & structure and electrical categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Body & structure266.7%
  • Electrical133.3%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
21V380000

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:HANGER,BRACKET

May 24, 2021
1,990 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Keystone Cougar 368MBI trailers. The frame rails do not have enough cross support, which could cause them to buckle under certain side-load stress conditions.
The risk: A buckled frame rail can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will add cross braces between each spring hanger and an outrigger between the tires on the off-door side of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2021. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 21-411.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 21-411View 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
17V673000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Oct 25, 2017
1,890 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Keystone Cougar western edition recreational trailers. The stabilizer jacks may not have been properly welded to the chassis frame, possibly resulting in the jacks detaching from the trailer during transit.
The risk: If the stabilizer jacks separate during transit, they could be a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting of the four stabilizer jacks and install appropriate fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-306.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 17-306View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Sep 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the slide island was leaning and the flooring in the middle of the RV was unstable. The RV was taken to the local service center, which discovered that three cross members had separated from the frame of the RV and caused severe damage to the frame. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was advised that the RV frame was unrepairable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V380000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11688194
Incident
Aug 15, 2025
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 13, 2018

I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 5TH WHEEL COUGAR TRAVEL TRAILER LAST MAY. THE WHOLE BOTTOM FRAME IS BENDING AND DEGRADING BECAUSE I SUSPECT IT WAS MADE WITH CHEAP CHINESE STEEL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE AND IS BLAMING IT ON HITTING THE CURB WHICH IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE. OTHER PEOPLE ON-LINE COMPLAIN OF SIMILAR FRAME FAILURE. THE RV INDUSTRY IS NOT PROPERLY REGULATED AND A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS FRAME COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DEATH AND INJURY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THAT THING AND I JUST PURCHASED IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT. *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
11072727
Incident
Jan 29, 2018
Mileage
500 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2017

BATTERIES ARE NOT STORED PROPERLY NO BATTERY BOXES OR IMPROPER STRAP DOWNS

NHTSA ID
11057118
Incident
May 10, 2017

Manufacturer communications

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

KSB-191007

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

This is the repair instructions for KSB-191007. This process describes the repair where under certain temperature conditions the Norco slide cable system gearbox may leak oil/grease on the slide roof membrane. The KSB describes how to install a drip pan to prevent damage to the roof membrane, and make repairs if necessary.

KSB-191007

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Letter to dealers for KSB-191007. This process describes the repair where under certain temperature conditions the Norco slide cable system gearbox may leak oil/grease on the slide roof membrane. The KSB describes how to install a drip pan to prevent damage to the roof membrane, and make repairs if necessary.

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—
2017Viewing370—
2016520—
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.