2012 Keystone Cougar problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file for the 2012 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.
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
Other: 1 recall
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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 4 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
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
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/26/2018, STRUCTURE,TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS BOLTED TO THE REAR BUMPER AND WAS TOO HEAVY, WHICH CAUSED THE BUMPER TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANTHEM RV AND BOATS (44019 N BLACK CANYON HWY, NEW RIVER, AZ 85087, (623) 465-7331) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES AND EMAILED THEM TO THE KEYSTONE MANUFA
09/07/2012, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES: THE ELECTRIC BRAKE WIRING THAT CONNECTS THE COACH BODY TO THE FRONT AXLE WAS RUBBING ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE LF TIRE OF THE TRAILER. IT HAS RUBBED A POLISHED GROOVE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. THE WIRING CONNECTING THE REAR AXLE TO THE COACH WAS RUBBING ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE LR WHEEL. I SECURED THE WIRING AWAY FROM THE TIRE AND WHEEL AND RETURNED THE FIFTH WHEEL TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED IT.
08/14/2017, STRUCTURE: BACK BUMPER WELDS BREAKING WITH A SPARE WHEEL MOUNTED THERE.
07/08/2013, SUSPENSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR FIFTH WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE ONE LEAF SPRING OUT THE FOUR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 7/31/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE TOWING THE RV AT HIGHWAY SPEED,
06/30/2014, SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 KEYSTONE COUGAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER PANEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.
Looking at a 2012 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.