NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Keystone Cougar Recalls & Complaints

The 2018 Keystone Cougar has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 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 2018 Keystone Cougar. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2018 Keystone Cougar owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Keystone Cougar, describing incidents dated September 4, 2017 to July 26, 2021.

Most-cited components

Structure 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11465964 · Filed May 24, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and towing a fifth wheel trailer, the trailer was rocking up and down on the king pin of the trailer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. When the contact stopped and entered the trailer…
ODI #11431251 · Filed August 31, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the spring hangers fractured without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local…
ODI #11221294 · Filed June 19, 2019
MY 2018 KEYSTONE COUGAR HAS HAD A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BEDROOM SLIDE. WHAT HAS BEEN OF REAL CONCERN IS THAT THE WIRES GOING THROUGH THE TRAILER INTO THE SLIDE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE GROMMET BETWEEN THE WIRES GOING FROM THE TRAILER TO THE SLIDE WAS LEFT…

Read all 4 complaints

Frame Rail May Buckle

NHTSA #21V380000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2021 · Keystone RV Company

Potentially affected: 1,990 vehicles

Repair completion: 62.52% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Keystone campaign 21-411 · Owners notified July 15, 2021

Defect description

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Keystone Cougar 368MBI trailers. The frame rails do not have enough cross support, which could cause them to buckle under certain side-load stress conditions.

Safety consequence

A buckled frame rail can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will add cross braces between each spring hanger and an outrigger between the tires on the off-door side of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2021. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 21-411.

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.

Wooden Grill Assembly May Catch Fire

NHTSA #18V383000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported June 7, 2018 · Keystone RV Company

Potentially affected: 5,151 vehicles

Repair completion: 73.76% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Keystone campaign 18-322 · Owners notified July 26, 2018 · Vehicles built July 25, 2017 – May 22, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers equipped with an outdoor propane grill. The outdoor propane grill is installed in a wooden assembly that may not have enough clearance from the heated area.

Safety consequence

If the wooden assembly is exposed to high temperatures, there would be an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wooden assembly with a metal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 18-322.

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.

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.

Stabilizer Jacks may Detach from Frame in Transit

NHTSA #17V673000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported October 25, 2017 · Keystone RV Company

Potentially affected: 1,890 vehicles

Repair completion: 65.96% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Keystone campaign 17-306 · Owners notified December 5, 2017 · Vehicles built September 22, 2016 – July 18, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Keystone Cougar western edition recreational trailers. The stabilizer jacks may not have been properly welded to the chassis frame, possibly resulting in the jacks detaching from the trailer during transit.

Safety consequence

If the stabilizer jacks separate during transit, they could be a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting of the four stabilizer jacks and install appropriate fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-306.

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2018 Keystone Cougar. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Keystone Cougar.

Structure

ODI #11465964

Incident: April 14, 2019 · Filed: May 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and towing a fifth wheel trailer, the trailer was rocking up and down on the king pin of the trailer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. When the contact stopped and entered the trailer, he noticed that the interior walls had buckled. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the floor had buckled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle taken to the manufacturer who diagnosed that the walls needed to be straightened. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notice from the manufacturer that braces needed to be welded on the outriggers to keep the frame from bending. The contact related the recall to the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11431251

Incident: July 26, 2021 · Filed: August 31, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the spring hangers fractured without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Keystone dealer however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.

Electrical System

ODI #11221294

Incident: May 6, 2019 · Filed: June 19, 2019

MY 2018 KEYSTONE COUGAR HAS HAD A ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BEDROOM SLIDE. WHAT HAS BEEN OF REAL CONCERN IS THAT THE WIRES GOING THROUGH THE TRAILER INTO THE SLIDE WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE PLASTIC PROTECTIVE GROMMET BETWEEN THE WIRES GOING FROM THE TRAILER TO THE SLIDE WAS LEFT UNSECURED AND ALLOWED THE WIRES TO RUB INTO (AGAINST THE TRAILER FRAME)...UNTIL A SHORT OCCURRED. THE REALLY BAD THING WAS THAT THE FUSE IN THE PANEL DID NOT BLOW DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE SLIDE GOING IN AND OUT. IT ALLOWED THE SPRING (HOLDING THE WIRES) UNDERNEATH THE BEDROOM SLIDE TO OVERHEAT TO THE POINT ONE COULDN'T TOUCH IT, AND YET DIDN'T BLOW THE FUSE SOMETIMES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD IN MY OPINION. IT WAS FIXED, BUT I HAVE CONCERN THE REST OF THE ELECTRICAL ON THE TRAILER SHOULD BE CHECKED, BUT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE FROM KEYSTONE ABOUT THAT REQUEST. TRAILER WAS PARKED IN A RV PARK.

Wheels; Unknown or Other; Service Brakes

ODI #11033482

Incident: September 4, 2017 · Filed: October 16, 2017

WE HAVE TWO ISSUES WITH THE FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER IN QUESTION. WE ONLY FELT IT NECCESARY TO CONTACT THE NHTSA BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE OBVIOUS PROBLEM WHEN WE WERE AT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER AND ASKED THEM TO IN THE INTEREST OF OUR SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHER MOTORISTS. THE FIFTH WHEEL CAME WITH THE WRONG SIZE WHEEL AND TIRE WITH THREE BEING LARGER TIRES ON 16' RIMS AND ONE BEING A SMALLER TIRE ON A 15' RIM. IT CAUSED THE UNIT WHICH IS A 40' LONG FIFTH WHEEL. A NEW UNIT FROM THE DEALER. WHEN WE REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON WE STOPPED AT THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. KEYSTONE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE AT THE TIME LEAVING US IN ANOTHER STATE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NOT KNOWING WHAT TO DO. OUR DEALER TOLD US THIS IS COMMON.

Other Keystone Cougar model years

Check your 2018 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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