2011 Keystone Cougar problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 7 recalls and 9 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Keystone Cougar. 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: 3 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 11V094000 (10/02/2011): POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 COUGAR AND LAREDO TRAVEL TRAILERS. THE AXLES ARE INSTALLED BACKWARDS CAUSING A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN BRAKING TORQUE AND SHORTENED BRAKE LINING SERVICE LIFE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE AXLES TO VERIFY THE BRAKE WIRES ARE ON THE OFF-DOOR SIDE. IF THEY ARE NOT, THE AXLES WILL BE REMOVED AND REVERSED. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Recall 10V597000 (23/11/2010): WHEELS
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.
Fix: KEYSTONE WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Recall 11V002000 (04/01/2011): TRAILER HITCHES
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COUGAR, LAREDO AND OUTBACK TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH LIPPERT COMPONENT HITCH COUPLERS FOR LACK OF INDENTATION ON THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE COUPLER.
Fix: OWNERS ARE ASKED TO INSPECT THE HITCH COUPLER FOR THE CORRECT STAMPING. IF THE HITCH COUPLER IS NOT FORMED CORRECTLY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
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: 2 recalls, 3 complaints
Recall 17V755000 (22/11/2017): EQUIPMENT
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V755-5127.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Fix: Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-574-535-2100, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.
Recall 10V478000 (05/10/2010): EQUIPMENT
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD 35 SERIES RANGE OVENS. A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SMALL FRACTURE WITHIN THE LINE DELIVERING GAS TO THE OVEN CAVITY BURNER. SUCH A FRACTURE MAY CAUSE PROPANE GAS TO LEAK FROM THE LINE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ISOLATE AND PERFORM A DROP PRESSURE TEST ON THE OVEN SUPPLY TUBE AND IF THE TUBE LEAKS IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 12V355000 (26/07/2012): STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Cougar 26SAB and 29RES recreational vehicles manufactured from October 5, 2009, through October 24, 2011. The rear bumper, which holds the spare tire assembly, may experience metal fatigue causing the spare tire to separate from the vehicle.
Fix: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement kit free of charge. The safety recall began on September 28, 2012. Owners may contact Keystone at 1-866-425-4369.
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
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 10V606000 (01/12/2010): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SPRINTER, COUGAR AND FUZION TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS AND MURRAY ONE INCH PLUG-IN CIRCUIT BREAKERS. THE "SPRING CLIP" PLUG-IN ASSEMBLY MAY BREAK OR FAIL TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FORCE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE PANEL BOARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BREAKERS AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.
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
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/16/2012, EQUIPMENT,EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FURNACE FUEL LINE WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. UPDATED 01/02/2013*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE LINE WAS RAN OVER THE FRAME, UNDER FLOOR, AND WITH BODY SHIFTING THE COPPE
10/22/2012, STRUCTURE: 2011 COUGAR 26 SAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR BUMPER FAILURE AND RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. RECALL # 12V355000. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED A PASSERBY INFORMED HIM, THAT HIS REAR BUMPER WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE METAL WAS EXTREMELY THIN, AND HE WANTED THE BUMPER REPLACED WITH A HEAVY DUTY BUMPER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE BUMPER WOULD HAVE TOE BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME BUMPER AS
10/15/2013, STRUCTURE,TIRES: TIRES ARE APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS OF AGE BASED ON "0111" DOT CODE AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 2000 MILES OF USE (NO SIGNS OF DRY ROT OR OTHER FAILURE PRIOR TO TREAD SEPARATION 1ST INCIDENT MAY 24TH 2013 WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON A FARM TO MARKET ROAD I HAD A POWERKING TOWMAX ST235/80R16 TIRES BLOWOUT AND TREAD SEPARATION. REPLACED TIRE AND RETURNED HOME (~150 MILES) CONTACTED DYNAMIC TIRE CORPORATION AND
10/14/2011, TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KEYSTONE COUGAR EQUIPPED WITH POWER KING TOW MAX TIRES. THE TIRE SIZE WAS 235/80/R16 AND THE DOT NUMBER WAS 83B5GPB1210. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WHEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 02
08/19/2015, TIRES: THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (TIRES) FROM A KEYSTONE COUGAR TRAILER. IN A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME (AUGUST 2-14, 2015) WHILE ON VACATION, 4 TOWMAX TIRES ST22575R15D BLEW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THESE TIRES WERE APPROX. 4.5 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN A TOTAL OF 6,000 MILES.THE SPARE THAT BLEW HAD LESS THAN 1,000 MILES. WHEN PARKED, THE TIRES WERE COVERED AND NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I FEEL THESE TIRES WERE/ARE DEFECTIVE AND A EXAMINATI
08/04/2011, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS IN OPERATION, THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER WOULD TRIP AS A RESULT OF A WIRE SHORTAGE. IN ADDITION, THE CIRCUIT BREAKER PANEL HAD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE FAILURE RECURRED FREQUENTLY. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V606000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:
Looking at a 2011 Keystone Cougar?
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.