- The problem
- Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Keystone Cougar 368MBI trailers. The frame rails do not have enough cross support, which could cause them to buckle under certain side-load stress conditions.
- The risk
- A buckled frame rail can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will add cross braces between each spring hanger and an outrigger between the tires on the off-door side of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2021. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 21-411.
Vehicle safety record
2018 Keystone Cougar Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2018 Keystone Cougar with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (2) and the brakes (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in May 2021 for the frame and members. For comparison, the 2017 has 3 and the 2019 has 9.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Cougar year, for its age
#247 most complained-about 2018 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2018 Keystone Cougar problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2018 Keystone Cougar recalls 4
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
- Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers equipped with an outdoor propane grill. The outdoor propane grill is installed in a wooden assembly that may not have enough clearance from the heated area.
- The risk
- If the wooden assembly is exposed to high temperatures, there would be an increased risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wooden assembly with a metal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 26, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 18-322.
- 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.
- The problem
- Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Keystone Cougar western edition recreational trailers. The stabilizer jacks may not have been properly welded to the chassis frame, possibly resulting in the jacks detaching from the trailer during transit.
- The risk
- If the stabilizer jacks separate during transit, they could be a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting of the four stabilizer jacks and install appropriate fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-306.
What owners say
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4 complaints about the 2018 Keystone Cougar
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH and towing a fifth wheel trailer, the trailer was rocking up and down on the king pin of the trailer. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. When the contact stopped and entered the trailer, he noticed that the interior walls had buckled. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the floor had buckled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had the vehicle taken to the manufacturer who...
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diagnosed that the walls needed to be straightened. The vehicle was repaired. The contact received a recall notice from the manufacturer that braces needed to be welded on the outriggers to keep the frame from bending. The contact related the recall to the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Keystone Cougar Trailer. The contact stated that the spring hangers fractured without warning. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 21V380000 (Suspension, Structure) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who stated that parts were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a Keystone dealer however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
My 2018 keystone cougar has had a electrical short in the bedroom slide. What has been of real concern is that the wires going through the trailer into the slide was incorrectly installed at the factory. The plastic protective grommet between the wires going from the trailer to the slide was left unsecured and allowed the wires to rub into (against the trailer frame)...Until a short occurred. The really bad thing was that the fuse in the panel did not blow depending on the position of the slide going in and out....
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It allowed the spring (holding the wires) underneath the bedroom slide to overheat to the point one couldn't touch it, and yet didn't blow the fuse sometimes. Extremely dangerous fire hazard in my opinion. It was fixed, but I have concern the rest of the electrical on the trailer should be checked, but have yet to receive a response from keystone about that request. Trailer was parked in a rv park.
We have two issues with the fifth wheel camper in question. We only felt it neccesary to contact the nhtsa because the manufacturer refused to remedy the obvious problem when we were at an authorized service center and asked them to in the interest of our safety and that of other motorists. The fifth wheel came with the wrong size wheel and tire with three being larger tires on 16' rims and one being a smaller tire on a 15' rim. It caused the unit which is a 40' long fifth wheel. A new unit from the dealer. When we...
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realized what was going on we stopped at the nearest authorized service center. Keystone refused to do anything about the issue at the time leaving us in another state on the side of the road not knowing what to do. Our dealer told us this is common.
Keystone Cougar: every year compared
All Cougar years2018 Keystone Cougar vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Keystone Cougar | 4 | 4 | C | |
| 2018 Keystone Keystone | 5 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Alpine | 3 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Bullet | 2 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Hideout | 2 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Aspen Trail | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Carbon | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2018 Keystone Fuzion | 1 | 4 | 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 2018 Keystone Cougar
Does the 2018 Keystone Cougar have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2018 Keystone Cougar: frame and members (May 2021); recreational vehicle / trailer (June 2018); equipment (November 2017); recreational vehicle / trailer (October 2017). 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 2018 Keystone Cougar?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (2), brakes (1), electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2018 Keystone Cougar had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 16, 2017 and the latest on May 24, 2022. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2018 Keystone Cougar a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 2018 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