NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 Keystone Cougar Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 Keystone Cougar has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 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 2012 Keystone Cougar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 Keystone Cougar owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Keystone Cougar, describing incidents dated September 1, 2012 to October 12, 2018.

Most-cited components

Structure 3 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Tires 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11154028 · Filed November 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS BOLTED TO THE REAR BUMPER AND WAS TOO HEAVY, WHICH CAUSED THE BUMPER TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTHEM RV AND BOATS (44019 N BLACK CANYON HWY, NEW RIVER, AZ 85087, (623) 465-7331) WHO…
ODI #11015114 · Filed August 14, 2017
BACK BUMPER WELDS BREAKING WITH A SPARE WHEEL MOUNTED THERE.
ODI #10607193 · Filed June 30, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

Read all 5 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.

BUMPER

NHTSA #12V355000 · Structure — Body — Bumpers · NHTSA notice

Reported July 26, 2012 · KEYSTONE RV COMPANY

Potentially affected: 1,012 vehicles

Keystone campaign 12-178 · Owners notified September 28, 2012 · Vehicles built October 5, 2009 – October 24, 2011 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Over time, the bumper may fail and/or separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury and property damage.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Keystone's recall campaign number is 12-178.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 Keystone Cougar. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Keystone Cougar.

Structure; Tires

ODI #11154028

Incident: October 12, 2018 · Filed: November 26, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS BOLTED TO THE REAR BUMPER AND WAS TOO HEAVY, WHICH CAUSED THE BUMPER TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTHEM RV AND BOATS (44019 N BLACK CANYON HWY, NEW RIVER, AZ 85087, (623) 465-7331) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES AND EMAILED THEM TO THE KEYSTONE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED LIMITED ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V355000 (STRUCTURE, TIRES, EQUIPMENT) FOR HIS VEHICLE. *TT CARFAX CANNOT PROCESS THIS REQUEST. *JB

Structure

ODI #11015114

Incident: August 10, 2017 · Filed: August 14, 2017

BACK BUMPER WELDS BREAKING WITH A SPARE WHEEL MOUNTED THERE.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #10607193

Incident: June 20, 2014 · Filed: June 30, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

Suspension

ODI #10523629

Incident: July 1, 2013 · Filed: July 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE LEAF SPRING OUT THE FOUR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 7/31/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TOWING THE RV AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE LEFT FRONT LEAF SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO BREAK AS WELL. UPDATED 08/06/13

Electrical System; Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #10474175

Incident: September 1, 2012 · Filed: September 7, 2012

THE ELECTRIC BRAKE WIRING THAT CONNECTS THE COACH BODY TO THE FRONT AXLE WAS RUBBING ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LF TIRE OF THE TRAILER. IT HAS RUBBED A POLISHED GROOVE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE WIRING CONNECTING THE REAR AXLE TO THE COACH WAS RUBBING ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE LR WHEEL. I SECURED THE WIRING AWAY FROM THE TIRE AND WHEEL AND RETURNED THE FIFTH WHEEL TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT. KEYSTONE RV'S ATTITUDE SURPRISES ME, THEY CLAIM THAT THE WIRE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN RUBBING ON THE TIRE AND WHEEL, BECAUSE THE WIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTANTLY RIPPED OFF. I HAVE PICTURES TO PROVE THE WIRING JOB WAS INADEQUATE AND SHODDY. THIS ISSUE CAN'T BE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I FEEL THAT KEYSTONE NEEDS TO HAVE IT'S DEALERS INSPECT ALL TRAILER BRAKE WIRING. IF THE WIRES HAD BEEN TORN LOOSE OR SHORTED OUT, MY 9,000 POUND FIFTH WHEEL WOULD HAVE BECOME A GIANT WEIGHT PUSHING ME DOWN HILLS! THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT MY PICTURES FORWARDED TO YOU. THANK YOU! *TR UPDATED 09/26/12*LJ

Other Keystone Cougar model years

Check your 2012 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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