2015 Forest River Cardinal problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 1 recall and 11 owner complaints on file for the 2015 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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 9 complaints
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
Other: 1 recall, 2 complaints
Recall 21V523000 (09/07/2021): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.
Structure, roof and leaks: 3 complaints
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/21/2015, TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES, SIZE: ST235/80/R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND DAMAGED THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAMPER. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD BUBBLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,00
12/07/2015, WHEELS: ON NOV. 30, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH AN ORIGINAL PURCHASED, GOODYEAR MARATHON TRAILER TIRE, ST235/80R16, FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY WITH APPROXIMATELY 7500 MILES OF TRAVEL ON THE RV. THE BLOWOUT CAUSED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA. ON DEC. 3, 2015 WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR DURING A NORMAL TURN RADIUS, A SECOND ORIGINAL PURCHASE GOODYEAR MARATHON, ST235/80R16 TIRE FAILED C
10/24/2015, SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS: L GOODYEAR TIRES. ALL FOUR MARATHON ST235/80R16 LOAD RANGE E, DOT NUMBER 2VUN 1KGE 3213 TIRES WITH 80 PSI COLD ON OUR CARDINAL 3880 FIFTH WHEEL VIN NUMBER [XXX] MADE BY FOREST RIVER, PURCHASED NEW ON MAY 16 2015 FAILED WITHIN HOURS OF EACH OTHER ON AUGUST 7, 2015. THE TIRES HAD 7515 MILES ON THEM WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER?S SIDE FIFTH WHEEL TIRE THREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. I PUT ON THE SPARE AND WE CONTIN
10/09/2015, SUSPENSION,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: THIS RV BOUNCES AS IT TRAVELS, BOTTOMING OUT ON THE ROAD AND CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE RV. IT HAD 2013 TIRES THAT BUBBLED FROM FATIGUE OF THE BOUNCE AND THE SPRING LEAFS WERE FLAT, REPLACED AND FLAT AGAIN. THE BOUNCE CAUSES ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS SOMETIMES NOT WORKING. FOREST RIVER HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE 6 MONTHS THAT I HAVE HAD IT AND THEY SAY IT'S SAFE TO OPERATE ON THE ROAD.
09/29/2017, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: OUR 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL MODEL NO. 3850RL (BOUGHT NEW IN 2015) CAME EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES 235/80R16. WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THE TIRES, WE EXPERIENCED 3 BLOWOUTS ON ONE TRIP IN 2017. TIRE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED PRIOR TO BEGINNING THE TRIP AND WERE ALL SET AT 80 PSI. THE FIRST FAILURE WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOTICE THE TIRE HAD LOST AIR WHILE STOPPED AT A REST AREA. THE SECOND THE PASSEN
09/14/2015, SUSPENSION,WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE RV. THE RV WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL HUB AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Looking at a 2015 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.