2009 Forest River Cardinal problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 1 recall and 5 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Forest River Cardinal. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Other: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 09V148000 (01/05/2009): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 176 MY 2009 CARDINAL FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS. THESE TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." DUE TO FAULTY SCALES IN THE PRODUCTION FACILITY, THE LABEL FOR THE CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY VALUES IS INCORRECT.
Fix: FOREST RIVER WILL BE MAILING CORRECTED LABELS TO RETAIL PURCHASERS, AND/OR TO DEALERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-206-7600.
Tires: 3 complaints
What a tech checks: Age, load range and pressure. RV tires age out before they wear out, and an underrated tire on a heavy trailer is a blowout waiting to happen. Before you buy: Read the DOT date and the load range on the sidewall.
Chassis, towing and tires lessons · Trailer guide
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/29/2010, EQUIPMENT: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL RV EQUIPPED WITH A DOMETIC AWNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AWNING OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DEALER TORE THE AWNING FABRIC WHILE THE RV REMAINED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE AWNING MOTOR FAILED CAUSING THE ARMS TO RELEASE SINCE THEY WERE NOT LOCKED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR AND
10/20/2009, TIRES: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL TRAILER(NA). THE VEHICLE HAS KENDA KARRIER LOWSTAR TIRES, ST255/80/16(NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; THE TRAILER BEGAN TO SWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND INSPECT THE TRAILER. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER TIRES EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE TIRE SEPARATION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE
10/16/2010, TIRES: GOODYEAR TIRE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OLD BLEW OUT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF THE TIRE. *TR
09/19/2009, SUSPENSION: 2009 FOREST RIVER CEDAR CREEK G2 FIFTH WHEEL RV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE SHACKLES AND U BOLTS SECURING THE TRAILER SUSPENSION CAME OFF, AS PER THE MANUFACTURER THEY WERE NOT PROPERLY SECURED BY LOCKING BOLTS, AND THE AXLES WERE MISSING THE GUIDE PINS FOR THE LEAF SPRINGS . THE TRAILER HAD LESS THAN 700 MILES ON IT AT HE TIME. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED, AND THE FOREST RIVER COMPANY IS TRYING TO SILENCE THE OWN
07/27/2012, TIRES: ON APRIL 6, 2012 I WAS ON MY WAY TO A CAMP GROUND WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES ON MY CAMPER BLOW OUT. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE TIRE. ON JULY 18, 2012 I AGAIN WAS ON MY WAY TO A CAMP GROUND AND THE SECOND TIRE CAME A PART. THIS TIME THE TIRE DAMAGED THE CAMPER. THE FOLLOWING IS TIRE INFORMATION: HERITAGE TRAIL TRAC AP LT235/85R16E DOT OJ OR4JOV 5207 PRESSURE 80 LBS. *TR
Looking at a 2009 Forest River Cardinal?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.