2020 Forest River Puma problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River Puma, including 1 fire. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 24V395000 (04/06/2024): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:120/240 VAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:CHARGER LOW VOLTAGE BATTERY
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.
Fix: Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1786.
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
Other: 1 recall
Recall 20V075000 (12/02/2020): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 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
Structure, roof and leaks: 2 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: 1 complaint
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
10/17/2023, WHEELS: The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling the RV trailer, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the flat tire was the result of a crack in the wheelbase of the wheel assembly. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a cas
08/11/2021, STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the structure underneath the trailer detached from the RV. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving to his destination. The contact took the RV to an independent mechanic and was informed that the structure underneath the RV has been replaced. The RV was repaired. The contact call
08/01/2022, WHEELS: 3 wheels have had holes/cracks causing them to leak air. had a tire blow out which caused major damage to the rv
06/10/2023, TIRES: Castle Rock ST 235/80R16 on the drivers side rear axle tire. I had just exited the interstate when the tire violently exploded. Debris from the side of the trailer and parts of the tire scattered across the opposing lane of traffic. Fortunately, no one was coming. This failure was harmful enough but would have been catastrophic for someone had this occurred on the busy interstate. Tire examined, belts had separated u
05/14/2021, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FOREST RIVER PALOMINO PUMA 28BHSS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE SLEEPING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM INSIDE THE BUNKHOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AND WAS AWAKEN BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THEN SCREAMED FOR EVERYONE TO EVACUATE THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTAC
01/19/2022, STRUCTURE: The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Palomino Puma travel trailer. The contact stated that there was brown water leaking from the roof into the ceiling light fixture and walls of the RV. The RV was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the insulation caused the water to change to a brown color. The dealer replaced the wood on the walls of the RV; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufactur
Looking at a 2020 Forest River Puma?
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.