NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Keystone Cougar Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Keystone Cougar has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Keystone dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Keystone Cougar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2003 Keystone Cougar owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Keystone Cougar, describing incidents dated October 10, 2006 to May 24, 2012.

Most-cited components

Equipment 3 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10462574 · Filed June 21, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BIRD'S NEST IN THE PIN BOX OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEAD OF THE PIN BOX WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WORK OF THE PIN BOX WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE…
ODI #10249155 · Filed November 18, 2008
GOING FROM CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS ON INTERSTATE 15 ABOUT TEN MILES FROM THE NEVADA STATE LINE WHEN I HEARD A WHOLE LOT OF THUMPING FROM MY COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAD JUST TRAVERSED A VERY ROUGH SECTION OF ROAD WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS AND NO SHOULDERS ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE…
ODI #10231457 · Filed June 18, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2652. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG AMMONIA ODOR COMING FROM THE UNIT AND THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEAT TUBE…

Read all 6 complaints

Fire Extinguisher May Be Clogged or Inoperable

NHTSA #17V755000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported November 22, 2017 · Keystone RV Company

Potentially affected: 1,205,997 vehicles

Repair completion: 2.15% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Keystone campaign 17-307 · Owners notified January 15, 2018

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC

NHTSA #07V134000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported March 22, 2007 · KEYSTONE RV COMPANY

Potentially affected: 122,162 vehicles

Owners notified February 18, 2008 · Vehicles built April 1, 1997 – December 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN CERTAIN TUBING IN THE REFRIGERATOR WHICH COULD ALLOW PRESSURIZED FLAMMABLE COOLANT SOLUTION TO BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

KEYSTONE RV WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING AND THERMAL FUSES FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR KEYSTONE RV AT 574-535-2100.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Keystone Cougar. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Keystone Cougar.

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility

ODI #10462574

Incident: May 24, 2012 · Filed: June 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BIRD'S NEST IN THE PIN BOX OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HEAD OF THE PIN BOX WAS SPLIT IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WORK OF THE PIN BOX WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Tires; Equipment

ODI #10249155

Incident: October 31, 2008 · Filed: November 18, 2008

GOING FROM CALIFORNIA TO LAS VEGAS ON INTERSTATE 15 ABOUT TEN MILES FROM THE NEVADA STATE LINE WHEN I HEARD A WHOLE LOT OF THUMPING FROM MY COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. I HAD JUST TRAVERSED A VERY ROUGH SECTION OF ROAD WITH CONCRETE BARRIERS AND NO SHOULDERS ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER ONTO THE PRECARIOUSLY NARROW SHOULDER AS SOON AS IT SEEMED SAFE. IT REALLY WASN'T SAFE. I SAW THAT MY FRONT TIRE ON THE RIGHT SIDE WAS SHREDDED BUT THAT THE REAR TIRE WAS STILL HOLDING THE FRONT TIRE JUST OFF ITS RIM. I FOUND A BETTER SHOULDER. I GOT SOME RV ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE BIG REPAIR TRUCK PULLED UP BEHIND ME AND THE GUY PUT ON MY SPARE. HE MENTIONED THAT HE SMELLED A LOT OF PROPANE, SO I SHUT OFF THE TANK SUPPLY VALVES. I TOOK A LOOK UNDER THE RV NEAR THE SITE OF THE FLAT. THE SHEET METAL WAS PULLED OUT AND THE PLASTIC FENDER PANEL BROKEN. ALSO THERE WAS A ?T? IN THE PROPANE LINE NEAR THE TIRE WITH A TERMINAL CAP AND A TINY PIECE OF CRUMPLED UP COPPER TUBING POKING OUT OF A FITTING. AFTER TURNING ON THE PROPANE I COULD TELL IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS LEAKING BADLY, SO I TURNED THE PROPANE OFF AGAIN. LATER, I REALIZED THAT MY HEATER WASN'T WORKING. I DISCOVERED THAT I APPARENTLY LEFT PIECE OF THE HEATERS PROPANE COPPER SUPPLY LINE ON INTERSTATE 15. THE COPPER LINE LED THROUGH THE UNDERCARRIAGE ABOVE THE TIRE THAT WAS DESTROYED LEAVING A TELLTALE HOLE. THE TIRE RESIDUE SHREDDED THE COPPER GAS LINE IN SHORT ORDER. CONSIDERING HOW THE REST OF THE PROPANE SUPPLY LINE IS RATHER SOLID BLACK PIPE, I WOULD CONSIDER THIS GROUNDS FOR A RECALL. FLAT TIRES SHOULD NOT CAUSE DANGEROUS PROPANE LEAKS! FIXING THE HEATER HOSE SEEMED STRAIGHTFORWARD ENOUGH. I BOUGHT A MADE UP REPLACEMENT HOSE AFTER REALIZING THAT THE ORIGINAL COPPER HOSE WAS NOT THE BEST AND EASIEST WAY TO GO. I THEN DRILLED A SMALL HOLE UP THROUGH THE FLOORING ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE ORIGINAL HOLE. THE NEW HOLE IS OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL, CLOSER TO THE CENTER LINE OF THE FIFTH WHEEL. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

Equipment

ODI #10231457

Incident: April 29, 2008 · Filed: June 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL RM2652. THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG AMMONIA ODOR COMING FROM THE UNIT AND THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEAT TUBE WAS FRACTURED WITH A SLIGHT LEAK. THE REFRIGERATOR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED TO KNOW THAT DOMETIC WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE COOLING UNIT. THE PART NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 07/29/08 *BF

Suspension

ODI #10203378

Incident: August 18, 2007 · Filed: September 18, 2007

MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 COUGAR 5TH WHEEL MANUFACTURED BY KEYSTONE. TWO MONTHS PAST THE 1-YEAR MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, WE EXPERIENCED TWO TIRE BLOWOUTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED ON THE TIRES, WE REPLACED THEM ALL WITH NEW 10-PLY TIRES. AFTER LESS THAN 1,000 MILES, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE SAME SIDE RESULTING IN EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER SIDING. IN AUGUST 2007 BEFORE TAKING A TRIP, I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE NEW 10-PLY TIRES HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDE WALL. I REPLACED THE TIRE. ON THE WAY HOME, AFTER TRAVELING LESS THAN 500 MILES, WE EXPERIENCED ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE CAUSING MORE DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR. IN RESEARCHING THE WEB, WE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER, KEYSTONE AND ALKO REGARDING AXLE PROBLEMS. ALL THREE HAVE DECLINED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. WE ARE RELUCTANT TO USE OUR 5TH WHEEL BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

Tires

ODI #10194797

Incident: May 26, 2007 · Filed: June 27, 2007

NANKING MILESTAR TRAILER TIRES SIDEWALL FAILURE/CRACKING ST225/75R15 LOAD RANGE D

Structure; Equipment

ODI #10171438

Incident: October 10, 2006 · Filed: October 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BUMPER METAL WAS OBSERVED TO BE TORN ON BOTH SIDES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE TRAILER TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK UPDATED 11/30/06. *JB

Other Keystone Cougar model years

Check your 2003 Keystone Cougar VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Keystone Cougar at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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