- The problem
- 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
- The risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Keystone Cougar Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2003 Keystone Cougar with NHTSA, most often about the equipment & accessories (4) and the wheels & tires (2). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 2017 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2002 has 6 and the 2004 has 26.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Cougar year, for its age
#255 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Keystone Cougar problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Keystone Cougar recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in certain tubing in the refrigerator which could allow pressurized flammable coolant solution to be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.
- The risk
- THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- The fix
- Keystone rv will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burner housing and thermal fuses free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle inc. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. Owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1-888-446-5157 or keystone rv at 574-535-2100.
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2003 Keystone Cougar
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns 2003 keystone cougar rv. The contact stated that there was a bird's nest in the pin box of the vehicle and the head of the pin box was split in half. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where they advised that the frame work of the pin box would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that they would further investigate the issue. The failure and the current mileage was not available.
Going from california to las vegas on interstate 15 about ten miles from the nevada state line when I heard a whole lot of thumping from my cougar fifth wheel trailer. I had just traversed a very rough section of road with concrete barriers and no shoulders along the highway. I pulled over onto the precariously narrow shoulder as soon as it seemed safe. It really wasn't safe. I saw that my front tire on the right side was shredded but that the rear tire was still holding the front tire just off its rim. I found a...
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better shoulder. I got some rv roadside assistance. The big repair truck pulled up behind me and the guy put on my spare. He mentioned that he smelled a lot of propane, so I shut off the tank supply valves. I took a look under the rv near the site of the flat. The sheet metal was pulled out and the plastic fender panel broken. Also there was a ?T? In the propane line near the tire with a terminal cap and a tiny piece of crumpled up copper tubing poking out of a fitting. After turning on the propane I could tell immediately that it was leaking badly, so I turned the propane off again. Later, I realized that my heater wasn't working. I discovered that I apparently left piece of the heaters propane copper supply line on interstate 15. The copper line led through the undercarriage above the tire that was destroyed leaving a telltale hole. The tire residue shredded the copper gas line in short order. Considering how the rest of the propane supply line is rather solid black pipe, I would consider this grounds for a recall. Flat tires should not cause dangerous propane leaks! Fixing the heater hose seemed straightforward enough. I bought a made up replacement hose after realizing that the original copper hose was not the best and easiest way to go. I then drilled a small hole up through the flooring about a foot from the original hole. The new hole is out of the wheel well, closer to the center line of the fifth wheel. Old parts are available. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 keystone cougar rv. The vehicle has a dometic refrigerator, model rm2652. The contact smelled a strong ammonia odor coming from the unit and the refrigerator was not operating properly. The refrigerator was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the heat tube was fractured with a slight leak. The refrigerator has not been repaired. The contact was displeased to know that dometic would not replace the defective cooling unit. The part number was unknown. Updated 07/29/08 *bf
My wife and I purchased a new 2003 cougar 5th wheel manufactured by keystone. Two months past the 1-year manufacturer warranty, we experienced two tire blowouts on the passenger side. Since the warranty had expired on the tires, we replaced them all with new 10-ply tires. After less than 1,000 miles, we experienced another blowout on the same side resulting in extensive damage to the trailer siding. In august 2007 before taking a trip, I noticed that one of the new 10-ply tires had a bubble in the side wall. I...
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replaced the tire. On the way home, after traveling less than 500 miles, we experienced another blowout on the passenger side causing more damage to the exterior. In researching the web, we found numerous complaints and have contacted the dealer, keystone and alko regarding axle problems. All three have declined to address the issue. We are reluctant to use our 5th wheel because of safety concerns. *Tr
Nanking milestar trailer tires sidewall failure/cracking st225/75r15 load range d
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the bumper metal was observed to be torn on both sides. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to take the trailer to the service dealer for inspection. *Ak updated 11/30/06. *Jb
Keystone Cougar: every year compared
All Cougar years2003 Keystone Cougar vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Keystone Cougar | 6 | 2 | B | |
| 2003 Keystone Outback | 3 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Keystone Montana | 3 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Keystone Springdale | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Keystone Challenger | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Keystone Cabana | 1 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2003 Keystone Sprinter | 1 | 2 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Keystone Cougar
Does the 2003 Keystone Cougar have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2003 Keystone Cougar: equipment (November 2017); recreational vehicle / trailer (March 2007). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Keystone Cougar?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the equipment & accessories (4), wheels & tires (2), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Keystone Cougar had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 20, 2006 and the latest on June 21, 2012. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Keystone Cougar a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 64 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Keystone Cougar year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Keystone Cougar years have the most complaints?
2004 (26), 2010 (10), 2007 (9). See every Keystone Cougar year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Keystone Cougar has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data