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Forest River Cardinal Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 21 safety recalls and 61 owner complaints across 26 model years of the Forest River Cardinal (1997–2024). The most-complained-about year is 2015.

21
safety recalls, all years
61
owner complaints, all years
2021
year with most recalls
2015
year with most complaints

Pick your Forest River Cardinal model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2024 Forest River Cardinal10
2023 Forest River Cardinal01
2022 Forest River Cardinal50
2021 Forest River Cardinal61
2020 Forest River Cardinal11
2019 Forest River Cardinal11
2018 Forest River Cardinal30
2017 Forest River Cardinal37
2016 Forest River Cardinal42
2015 Forest River Cardinal111
2014 Forest River Cardinal41
2013 Forest River Cardinal22
2012 Forest River Cardinal01
2010 Forest River Cardinal03
2009 Forest River Cardinal15
2008 Forest River Cardinal01
2006 Forest River Cardinal17
2005 Forest River Cardinal26
2004 Forest River Cardinal22
2003 Forest River Cardinal31
2002 Forest River Cardinal21
2001 Forest River Cardinal21
2000 Forest River Cardinal12
1999 Forest River Cardinal12
1998 Forest River Cardinal12
1997 Forest River Cardinal10

What Forest River Cardinal owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 61 complaints with NHTSA. The 2015 model year has the most, with 11.

All Forest River Cardinal recalls (21)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Forest River Cardinal, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Electrical (equipment)

    NHTSA 24V272000 Reported 4,480 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Cardinal, Wildcat, 2018-2019 Cedar Creek, 2021 Columbus, 2023 Continental Cargo, 2021-2024 Dynamax DX3, Dynamax Dynaquest XL, Dynamax Isata, Forest River IBEX, 2022-2024 Dynamax Europa, Forest River NOBO, 2022-2023 Forest River Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth,…

    Remedy: Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by May 14, 2024. Owners may contact Suburban customer service at…

    Model years: 2021, 2022

  2. Fifth wheel assembly (trailer hitches)

    NHTSA 24V265000 Reported 100 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers. The operator may utilize the rear towing hitch without locking the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a warning label to the hitch and rear wall of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 6, 2024. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700.…

    Model years: 2024

  3. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)

    NHTSA 22V556000 Reported 49,295 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada,…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report…

    Model years: 2022

  4. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment) and electrical system

    NHTSA 22V135000 Reported 1,009 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Coachmen Catalina, Aurora, Apex, Freedom Express, Spirit, Work N Play, Forest River XLR Toy Hauler, Vengeance, Sabre, Cherokee, and Cardinal travel trailers and fifth wheels. The wire cord that connects to the back of the 50AMP shore power inlet may be loose.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the shore cord inlet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact the following customer service numbers: Forest River 1-574-825-4995; Catalina & Aurora…

    Model years: 2022

  5. Tread/belt (tires)

    NHTSA 22V004000 Reported 1,164 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Prime Time Sanibel, Crusader, Forest River Cardinal, and Continental Cargo fifth wheel trailers, equipped with certain Sailun tires, size ST235/80R16/G. Due to a manufacturing issue, the tires may experience a belt separation.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the tire DOT codes, and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995.…

    Model years: 2021, 2022

  6. Accessory generator (equipment)

    NHTSA 21V988000 Reported 111 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles. The generator compartment may not be sealed properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the generator compartment for proper sealant and apply sealant if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service…

    Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022

  7. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment) and structure

    NHTSA 21V523000 Reported 825 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest…

    Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

  8. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment) and temporary/emergency spare tire (tires)

    NHTSA 21V145000 Reported 309 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers. The spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach from the vehicle.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the spare tire carrier, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's…

    Model years: 2021

  9. Equipment

    NHTSA 21V141000 Reported 21 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal CAF345RLX, CAF366DVLE, CAF390FBX and 2021 Wildcat WCF336RLS, WCF368MB vehicles. The furnace flue may become misaligned due to insufficient furnace hold screws that allow movement during travel.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the furnace and align the flue, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest…

    Model years: 2021

  10. Furnace (equipment)

    NHTSA 20V655000 Reported 69 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal fifth wheel trailers. The fresh air intake sleeve for the furnace is too short and does not have proper connection of the furnace to the exterior, allowing furnace exhaust to enter the trailer.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct intake sleeve to allow for proper connection on the furnace, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River…

    Model years: 2021

  11. Escape/egress/exit (structure)

    NHTSA 18V081000 Reported 53 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, models CAF3045RLLE, CAF304SR, CAF322DS and CAF392RD. These vehicles were manufactured without an emergency exit window in the rear wall of the vehicle.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install an emergency exit window, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest…

    Model years: 2018

  12. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 17V336000 Reported 17 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, model CAF3250RL. The Federal Placard on these vehicles overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) by 840lbs. for each axle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR and a new CCC label, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer…

    Model years: 2016, 2017, 2018

  13. Labels (equipment) and tires

    NHTSA 16V258000 Reported 38 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Cardinal recreational vehicles, models CAF3455RL, CAF3825FL and CAF3850RL, manufactured from November 20, 2015, through April 1, 2016. These vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Placard that indicates an incorrect tire and rim combination. The placard states…

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and provide a new corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at…

    Model years: 2016, 2017

  14. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 15V860000 Reported 14 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cardinal fifth wheel travel trailers, model CAF3850RL. The affected vehicles have Federal Certification Placards that list an incorrect gross axle weight from what is actually installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of…

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and mail them a corrected Federal placard label, free of charge. The recall began on January 13, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's…

    Model years: 2016

  15. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)

    NHTSA 15V273000 Reported 689 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Dynamax, 2014 Cardinal trailers, and 2015 Cedar Creek, Sierra and Sandpiper trailers. In the affected vehicles, a rivet for the quad entry steps may shear and fail, causing the steps to give when being used.

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the rivets and the step sections will be bolted together, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at…

    Model years: 2014

  16. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)

    NHTSA 14V449000 Reported 1,041 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Georgetown, Sunseeker, Forester, Cross Country, Pathfinder, Cardinal, Blue Ridge, Cedar Creek, and Brookstone recreational vehicles manufactured March 11, 2013, through April 26, 2013 and equipped with certain Frigidaire Convection Microwave models CFMV152CLB and…

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will repair the membrane/keypad component, free of charge. The recall began in February 2015. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-800-353-7383.

    Model years: 2013, 2014

  17. Equipment

    NHTSA 13V203000 Reported 9,526 vehicles potentially affected Forest River, Inc.

    Forest River is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Forest River models Blue Ridge, Cardinal, Cherokee, Columbus, EVO, Georgetown, Flagstaff, Forester, Lexington, Puma, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Sierra, Stealth, Sunseeker, Wildcat, Wildwood, Work and Play and XLR; Coachmen models Brookstone, Catalina, Chaparral,…

    Remedy: Forest River will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with motors of a different design. The safety recall began on July 29, 2013. Owners may contact Forest River at 1-574-389-4600 or…

    Model years: 2013, 2014

  18. Equipment

    NHTSA 10V454000 Reported 2,207 vehicles potentially affected FOREST RIVER, INC.

    Forest river is recalling certain recreational vehicles equipped with dimplex electraflame, symphony, or optiflame branded electric fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. The plug in remote control receiver for the fireplace can overheat.

    Remedy: Forest river is working with dimplex and dimplex will provide owners a free replacement plug-in remote control kit. The safety recall began on january 28, 2011. Owners may contact dimplex north america customer service…

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

  19. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 09V148000 Reported 176 vehicles potentially affected FOREST RIVER, INC.

    Forest river is recalling 176 my 2009 cardinal fifth wheel trailers. These trailers fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 120, "tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars." due to faulty scales in the production facility, the label for the cargo carrying capacity…

    Remedy: Forest river will be mailing corrected labels to retail purchasers, and/or to dealers. The safety recall began on april 15, 2009. Owners may contact forest river at 1-574-206-7600.

    Model years: 2009

  20. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)

    NHTSA 08V346000 Reported 107,417 vehicles potentially affected FOREST RIVER, INC.

    Forest river is recalling certain my 2003-2006 motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

    Remedy: Forest river is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge.…

    Model years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006

  21. Recreational vehicle/trailer (equipment)

    NHTSA 07V085000 Reported 128,000 vehicles potentially affected FOREST RIVER, INC.

    Certain recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

    Remedy: Forest river will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free…

    Model years: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Other Forest River models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.