Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2016 Forest River Puma
The 2016 Forest River Puma exhibits concerns primarily in the suspension and electrical systems, with recalls and complaints focusing on tire contact issues and electrical routing problems. While these issues warrant attention, they are manageable with proper inspection and care. Ensuring that recalls have been addressed can significantly improve this model's reliability as a used purchase.
Known issues to inspect
Tires may contact wheel well
How to check: Look for tire wear or wheel well damage.
Incorrect electrical routing
How to check: Inspect junction box for exposed or pulled wires.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Ensure all electrical systems power on correctly.
Red flag: Inoperative or flickering lights.
- 02
First stop
What to check: Listen for suspension noise over bumps.
Red flag: Loud thumping or scraping sounds.
- 03
Midway through drive
What to check: Check for any dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Persistent or flashing warning lights.
- 04
Low-speed maneuvering
What to check: Observe if tires rub during full turns.
Red flag: Consistent tire rub noise.
- 05
Final parking check
What to check: Inspect wheel wells for fresh tire marks.
Red flag: Visible fresh contact marks.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Have all recalls been completed?
- Any issues with tires contacting frame?
- Has electrical routing been inspected?
- Are there any current electrical issues?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall completion receipts
- Maintenance records
- Electrical inspection reports
- Warranty paperwork
Generated by gpt-4o on 8/20/2026. Grounded in the NHTSA recall corpus and owner-complaint patterns for the 2016 Forest River Puma.