NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Forest River Cardinal Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Forest River Cardinal has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Forest River dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Forest River Cardinal. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Forest River Cardinal owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Forest River Cardinal, describing incidents dated July 9, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Structure 1 complaint
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11680535 · Filed
Frame and Structural Integrity - Forest River Cardinal 366DLVE Doors and slide-outs open during transport. Cracks near the corners of upper deck slide openings. Separation of interior or exterior panels. Rub marks on floors under slide outs. Closet doors always coming off track in front bedroom…
LED Backlight Circuit Board Failure May Cause Fire
NHTSA #24V272000 · Equipment — Electrical · NHTSA notice
Reported April 17, 2024 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 4,480 vehicles
Repair completion: 30.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 51-1760 · Owners notified May 14, 2024
Defect description
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, and 2021-2023 Dynamax Force trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.
Safety consequence
A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer 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 1-574-247-9235 option 5; Cardinal & Wildcat customer service at 1-574-296-7700; Cedar Creek customer service at 1-260-593-4000; Columbus customer service at 1-574-821-1487; Continental Cargo customer service at 1-254-420-0171; Dynamax customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Ibex & Nobo customer service at 1-574-6421612; and Sandstorm & Shockwave customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1760.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Tire Belt Separation
NHTSA #22V004000 · Tires — Tread/Belt · NHTSA notice
Reported January 7, 2022 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 1,164 vehicles
Repair completion: 38.92% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 51-1449 · Owners notified February 1, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Belt separation could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1449.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Carbon Monoxide May Enter Cabin
NHTSA #21V988000 · Equipment — Electrical — Accessory Generator · NHTSA notice
Reported December 17, 2021 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 111 vehicles
Repair completion: 45.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 15-1444 · Owners notified January 5, 2022
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death.
Manufacturer 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 at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1444.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
Spare Tire Carrier Incorrectly Installed
NHTSA #21V145000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice
Reported March 8, 2021 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 309 vehicles
Repair completion: 54.05% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 15-1304 · Owners notified March 24, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A detached spare tire carrier can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Manufacturer 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 number for this recall is 15-1304.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Possible Furnace Exhaust Leak into Living Space
NHTSA #21V141000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported March 5, 2021 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 21 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.19% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 15-1302 · Owners notified March 24, 2021
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A misaligned furnace flue can allow furnace exhaust to leak into the living space, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Manufacturer 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 River's number for this recall is 15-1302.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Furnace Fresh Air Intake Sleeve Too Short
NHTSA #20V655000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Furnace · NHTSA notice
Reported October 26, 2020 · Forest River, Inc.
Potentially affected: 69 vehicles
Repair completion: 76.81% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Forest River campaign 15-1245 · Owners notified November 6, 2020
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If exhaust enters the trailer, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can increase the risk of injury or death.
Manufacturer 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 customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1245.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Forest River Cardinal model years
Check your 2021 Forest River Cardinal VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Forest River Cardinal at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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