2010 Forest River Cardinal problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 0 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2010 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.
Tires: 2 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
12/10/2011, SUSPENSION: SHACKLE PLATE BOLTS WERE TIGHT WITH LOCK NUTS BUT ALL OF THE BOLT HOLES ON THE 8 SHACKLE PLATES (2 ON EACH PLATE SO 16 HOLES) WERE WALLERED CAUSING EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, BLOWOUTS, AND TRAILER FENDERSKIRT DAMAGE. FOREST RIVER WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR CLAIMS THE CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING SHACKLE BOLTS HOWEVER SINCE THE BOLTS WERE TIGHT, DAMAGE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. FORTUNATELY THE PRO
05/11/2012, TIRES: ON4/29/12 WHILE PULLING A 2010 FOREST RIVER WILD CAT 5TH WHEEL, A TIRE ON THE RV SEPARATED AND LOST ITS TREAD. THE TIRE MAKE WAS A RFD-TRAIL EXPRESS LOAD RANGE D, ST225/75R15. THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 5,000 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE TREAD BROKE THROUGH THE TRAILER FLOOR BREAKING THE WATER LINES AND KITCHEN PIPES AND PUTTING A LARGE HOLE IN THE CAMPER FLOOR. PER INSURANCE ADJUSTER IT CAUSED $3,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE RV.
02/20/2012, TIRES: IN SEPTEMBER 2011 WHILE PULLING MY NEW 2010 FOREST RIVER XLR, WE HAD A TIRE EXPLODE DOWN THE MIDDLE. WE HAD ONLY BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR 20 MINUTES AND TRAVELING AT 55 MPH. WE HAVE LESS THAN 2400 MILES ON THE TIRES. I PERSONALLY CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURE AND LUG NUT ON BOTH MY 5TH WHEEL AND TRUCK BEFORE GETTING ON THE ROAD. I NOTIFIED LIONSHEAD SPECIALTY TIRE & WHEEL AND THEY REFERRED ME TO VOMA TIRE. VOMA TIRE TOLD ME TO
Looking at a 2010 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.