RoadVitals

2018 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 24, 2022
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 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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Keystone Cougar, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 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 & structure233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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
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
18V383000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jun 7, 2018
5,151 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers equipped with an outdoor propane grill. The outdoor propane grill is installed in a wooden assembly that may not have enough clearance from the heated area.
The risk: If the wooden assembly is exposed to high temperatures, there would be an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wooden assembly with a metal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 18-322.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 18-322View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed May 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and towing a fifth wheel trailer, the trailer was rocking up and down on the king pin of the trailer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. When the contact stopped and entered the trailer, he noticed that the interior walls had buckled. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the floor had buckled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle taken to the manufacturer who diagnosed that the walls needed to be straightened. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notice from the manufacturer that braces needed to be welded on the outriggers to keep the frame from bending. The contact related the recall to the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

NHTSA ID
11465964
Incident
Apr 14, 2019
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Aug 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the spring hangers fractured without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Keystone dealer however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11431251
Incident
Jul 26, 2021
Electrical
Filed Jun 19, 2019

MY 2018 KEYSTONE COUGAR HAS HAD A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BEDROOM SLIDE. WHAT HAS BEEN OF REAL CONCERN IS THAT THE WIRES GOING THROUGH THE TRAILER INTO THE SLIDE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE GROMMET BETWEEN THE WIRES GOING FROM THE TRAILER TO THE SLIDE WAS LEFT UNSECURED AND ALLOWED THE WIRES TO RUB INTO (AGAINST THE TRAILER FRAME)...UNTIL A SHORT OCCURRED. THE REALLY BAD THING WAS THAT THE FUSE IN THE PANEL DID NOT BLOW DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE SLIDE GOING IN AND OUT. IT ALLOWED THE SPRING (HOLDING THE WIRES) UNDERNEATH THE BEDROOM SLIDE TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT ONE COULDN'T TOUCH IT, AND YET DIDN'T BLOW THE FUSE SOMETIMES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD IN MY OPINION. IT WAS FIXED, BUT I HAVE CONCERN THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL ON THE TRAILER SHOULD BE CHECKED, BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM KEYSTONE ABOUT THAT REQUEST. TRAILER WAS PARKED IN A RV PARK.

NHTSA ID
11221294
Incident
May 6, 2019
Mileage
5,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 16, 2017

WE HAVE TWO ISSUES WITH THE FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER IN QUESTION. WE ONLY FELT IT NECCESARY TO CONTACT THE NHTSA BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM WHEN WE WERE AT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM TO IN THE INTEREST OF OUR SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHER MOTORISTS. THE FIFTH WHEEL CAME WITH THE WRONG SIZE WHEEL AND TIRE WITH THREE BEING LARGER TIRES ON 16' RIMS AND ONE BEING A SMALLER TIRE ON A 15' RIM. IT CAUSED THE UNIT WHICH IS A 40' LONG FIFTH WHEEL. A NEW UNIT FROM THE DEALER. WHEN WE REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON WE STOPPED AT THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. KEYSTONE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE AT THE TIME LEAVING US IN ANOTHER STATE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO. OUR DEALER TOLD US THIS IS COMMON.

NHTSA ID
11033482
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
100 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

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.

19-356

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This is an email to dealers for advisory 19-356. It has been determined that the Cougar 32RDB units may not have the adequate amount of A/C ceiling vents installed.

19-356

EQUIPMENT

This is the revised repair instructions for advisory 19-356. It has been determined that the Cougar 32RDB units may not have the adequate amount of A/C ceiling vents installed.

19-356

EQUIPMENT

This is the dealer revised letter for advisory 19-356. It has been determined that the Cougar 32RDB units may not have the adequate amount of A/C ceiling vents installed.

19-356

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

This is the owner notification letter for advisory 19-356. It has been determined that the Cougar 32RDB units may not have the adequate amount of A/C ceiling vents installed.

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—
2018Viewing440—
2017370—
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.