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CarsLore / Makes / Forest River / Cardinal

Forest River Cardinal

Model years 1997–2024 in the US safety record. No model year stands out in owner complaints. Fewest complaints: 2001, 2002, 2003.

61owner complaints
21recall campaigns
9service bulletins
26model years on record

Complaints by model year

Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.

’97’00’03’06’10’14’17’20’23’97’00’03’06’10’14’17’20’23

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026

Year by year

Model yearComplaintsRecallsBulletinsCrashes · fires
20240120 · 0
20231010 · 0
20220530 · 0
20211630 · 0
20201100 · 0
20191100 · 0
20180300 · 0
20177300 · 0
20162400 · 0
201511100 · 0
20141400 · 0
20132200 · 0
20121000 · 0
20103000 · 0
20095101 · 0
20081000 · 0
20067100 · 0
20056200 · 1
20042200 · 0
20031300 · 0
20021200 · 0
20011200 · 1
20002100 · 0
19992100 · 1
19982100 · 0
19970100 · 0

A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections

Most common problems

  • Tires19
  • Structure15
  • Wheels10
  • Equipment10
  • Unknown or other9
  • Suspension7
  • Electrical system4
  • Visibility/wiper2

NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years

Recalls

21 campaigns cover the Cardinal; the latest 12 are below.

24V272000 · Equipment17 Apr 2024 · 2021, 2022

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.

24V265000 · Trailer hitches12 Apr 2024 · 2024

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2024 Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers. The operator may utilize the rear towing hitch without locking the turning point fifth wheel hitch into the "Conventional Transport" position.

22V556000 · Equipment29 Jul 2022 · 2022

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.

22V135000 · Equipment8 Mar 2022 · 2022

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Coachmen Catalina, Aurora, Apex, Freedom Express, Spirit, Work N Play, Forest River XLR Toy Hauler, Vengeance, Sabre, Cherokee, and Cardinal travel trailers and fifth wheels. The wire cord that connects to the back of the 50AMP shore power inlet may be loose.

22V004000 · Tires7 Jan 2022 · 2021, 2022

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.

21V988000 · Equipment17 Dec 2021 · 2020, 2021, 2022

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.

21V523000 · Equipment9 Jul 2021 · 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.

21V145000 · Equipment8 Mar 2021 · 2021

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.

21V141000 · Equipment5 Mar 2021 · 2021

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.

20V655000 · Equipment26 Oct 2020 · 2021

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.

18V081000 · Structure30 Jan 2018 · 2018

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, models CAF3045RLLE, CAF304SR, CAF322DS and CAF392RD. These vehicles were manufactured without an emergency exit window in the rear wall of the vehicle.

17V336000 · Equipment24 May 2017 · 2016, 2017, 2018

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, model CAF3250RL. The Federal Placard on these vehicles overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) by 840lbs. for each axle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

NHTSA recalls