2016 Forest River Cardinal problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 4 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file for the 2016 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: 4 recalls, 1 complaint
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.
Recall 17V336000 (24/05/2017): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR and a new CCC label, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-05192017-0412.
Recall 15V860000 (22/12/2015): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cardinal fifth wheel travel trailers, model CAF3850RL. The affected vehicles have Federal Certification Placards that list an incorrect gross axle weight from what is actually installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners and mail them a corrected Federal placard label, free of charge. The recall began on January 13, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-12112015-0122.
Recall 16V258000 (29/04/2016): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Cardinal recreational vehicles, models CAF3455RL, CAF3825FL and CAF3850RL, manufactured from November 20, 2015, through April 1, 2016. These vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Placard that indicates an incorrect tire and rim combination. The placard states the tire and rim combination is ST235/80R16 LRE Tires with 80 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00JJ, when the actual combination on the vehicle is LT235/85T16 LRG Tires with 110 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00HD. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and provide a new corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-04172016-0179.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 complaint
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
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
08/17/2018, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: I CANNOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON MY FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER WHEN ENTERING THE VIN ON MULTIPLE WEBSITES. THE ONLY THING I CAN FIND IS AN INCORRECT LENGTH AND AN ERROR CODE SAYING THE MODEL YEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE MAY BE INCORRECT. I AM TRYING TO RESALE THIS TRAILER AND I AM HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME DUE TO THIS. IF YOU LOOK AT A 2015 BROCHURE OF CARDINAL TRAILERS, MY 3450RL MODEL IS THERE. IF YOU LOOK AT A 2016 BROCHURE, MY
07/07/2017, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,WHEELS: GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES LESS THAN 3000 MILES, AIR PRESSURE 80 PSI LUG NUT TORQUED. RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING DOWN ]HIGHWAY 19 THRU OCALA NATIONAL FOREST AT 60 MILES PER HOUR. CAMPER IS EQUIPPED WITH TYRON STRAPS BUT STILL DID NOT PREVENT TIRE FROM TEARING FENDER OFF, WIRING, METAL DAMAGE,HYD LINE PUNCTURED AND FIBERGLASS DAMAGE.
Looking at a 2016 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.