2011 Keystone Cougar problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (3) · Structure:body:bumpers (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Keystone Cougar model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (7)
Equipment 2017-11-22 · campaign 17V755000 · 1,205,997 vehicles
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 ce
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2012-07-26 · campaign 12V355000 · 1,012 vehicles
Defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Cougar 26SAB and 29RES recreational vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2009, through October 24, 2011. The rear bumper, which holds the spare tire assembly, may experience metal fatigue causing the spare tire to separate from the vehicle.
Risk: Over time, the bumper may fail and/or separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury and property damage.
Fix: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement kit free of charge. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Keystone at 1-866-425-4369.
Power Train:axle Assembly 2011-02-10 · campaign 11V094000 · 469 vehicles
Defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 COUGAR AND LAREDO TRAVEL TRAILERS. THE AXLES ARE INSTALLED BACKWARDS CAUSING A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN BRAKING TORQUE AND SHORTENED BRAKE LINING SERVICE LIFE.
Risk: OVER TIME DIMINISHED BRAKING CAPACITY COULD LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXLES TO VERIFY THE BRAKE WIRES ARE ON THE OFF-DOOR SIDE. IF THEY ARE NOT, THE AXLES WILL BE REMOVED AND REVERSED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Trailer Hitches 2011-01-04 · campaign 11V002000 · 1,086 vehicles
Defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COUGAR, LAREDO AND OUTBACK TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH LIPPERT COMPONENT HITCH COUPLERS FOR LACK OF INDENTATION ON THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE COUPLER.
Risk: IF THE COUPLER IS LACKING THE INDENT IT WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF TRAILER SEPARATION FROM THE HITCH BALL WHILE TOWING RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS ARE ASKED TO INSPECT THE HITCH COUPLER FOR THE CORRECT STAMPING. IF THE HITCH COUPLER IS NOT FORMED CORRECTLY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers 2010-12-01 · campaign 10V606000 · 2,693 vehicles
Defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SPRINTER, COUGAR AND FUZION TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS AND MURRAY ONE INCH PLUG-IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE "SPRING CLIP" PLUG-IN ASSEMBLY MAY BREAK OR FAIL TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FORCE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE PANEL BOARD.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURE, ARCING OR THERMAL DAMAGE AT THE CONNECTION POINT AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PANEL BOARD'S ELECTRICAL INSULATION WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE, PROPERTY DAMAGE, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BREAKERS AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Wheels 2010-11-23 · campaign 10V597000 · 2,338 vehicles
Defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.
Risk: THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: KEYSTONE WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Equipment 2010-10-05 · campaign 10V478000 · 5,459 vehicles
Defect: KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD 35 SERIES RANGE OVENS. A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SMALL FRACTURE WITHIN THE LINE DELIVERING GAS TO THE OVEN CAVITY BURNER. SUCH A FRACTURE MAY CAUSE PROPANE GAS TO LEAK FROM THE LINE.
Risk: A PROPANE LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ISOLATE AND PERFORM A DROP PRESSURE TEST ON THE OVEN SUPPLY TUBE AND IF THE TUBE LEAKS IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
What owners report
2017-04-23 · Wheels · 25 mi“the spare tire has a cover and the trailer has always been stored in a temperature-controlled garage. the tire was installed on the trailer (in the right rear position) for the first time, pressure checked (65 psi), and driven 25-30 miles on i-25 at 60-62 mph before suffering a catastrophic blow-out (accompanied by a very large "bang"). the entir…”
2016-03-26 · Unknown Or Other“i own a 2011 keystone cougar 5th wheel that incorporates a slide-out bumper / bike rack that the spare tire is mounted on. the same product was used in similar 2011 keystone 5th wheels that were the subject of a keystone recall #12-178 involving the nhtsa. our bumper has failed in the same manor due to metal fatigue. this was a very serious situa…”
2015-08-19 · Tires · 6,000 mi“the original equipment (tires) from a keystone cougar trailer. in a two week time frame (august 2-14, 2015) while on vacation, 4 towmax tires st22575r15d blew out on the highway. these tires were approx. 4.5 years old with less than a total of 6,000 miles.the spare that blew had less than 1,000 miles. when parked, the tires were covered and not in …”
2013-10-15 · Tires“tires are approximately 1.5 years of age based on "0111" dot code and have approximately 2000 miles of use (no signs of dry rot or other failure prior to tread separation 1st incident may 24th 2013 while traveling approximately 60 mph on a farm to market road i had a powerking towmax st235/80r16 tires blowout and tread separation. replaced tire a…”
2012-11-16 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer:lpg Systems:lines And Fittings · 4,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 keystone cougar rv. the contact stated that the furnace fuel line was leaking. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who replaced the fuel line. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 4,000. updated 01/02/2013*lj the consumer stated the line…”
2012-10-22 · Structure:body:bumpers“2011 cougar 26 sab. consumer writes in regards to rear bumper failure and recall that was issued. recall # 12v355000. *tgw the consumer stated a passerby informed him, that his rear bumper was about to fall out. the consumer stated the metal was extremely thin, and he wanted the bumper replaced with a heavy duty bumper. the dealer informed the co…”
2012-02-08 · Structure:body:bumpers · 11,250 mi“the 2011 keystone cougar xlite 26sab bumper is separating from the rv frame along the weld joints on both sides of the rv creating the potential for the bumper, spare tire carrier, and spare tire to separate entirely the frame. the bumper is used only for the spare tire and it's mounting bracket. updated 06/27/12 *bf received photos. updated 06/…”
2011-10-14 · Tires · 2,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2011 keystone cougar equipped with power king tow max tires. the tire size was 235/80/r16 and the dot number was 83b5gpb1210. while driving 65 mph, the contact stated that the front drivers side tire blew out without warning. the dealer advised the contact to speak directly to the manufacturer who offered no assistance when…”
2011-08-04 · Electrical System“tl* the contact owns a 2011 keystone cougar fifth wheel trailer. the contact stated that while the air conditioner was in operation, the main circuit breaker would trip as a result of a wire shortage. in addition, the circuit breaker panel had become extremely hot to the touch. the failure recurred frequently. prior to the failure, the vehicle was …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.