2017 Forest River CARDINAL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
3,950 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Tires: 3; Unknown Or Other: 2; Wheels: 2; Equipment: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2021: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10984693 · 2017-05-10 (May 10, 2017)
AFTER PURCHASING I REALIZED THAT THE FEDERAL DATA PLACARD ON THE RV LISTS THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATINGS AS 6818 LBS. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE TWO AXLES ON THIS RV ARE 6,000 LB AXLES. BECAUSE THE PLACARD HAS LISTED THE TWO AXLES AT A TOTAL OF 1636 LBS TOO MUCH, THEY HAVE, IN TURN LISTED THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING AT 15,888, WHICH IS 1636 TOO HEAVY A RATING. THE PLACARD SHOULD LIST THE AXLES AS 6,000 GAWR. THE TONGUE WEIGHT OF THE RV IS 2252 LBS. SO, IF THEY WOULD HAVE LISTED THE AXLES AT THE CORRECT 12,000 LBS AND ADDED THAT WEIG…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10984693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11128375 · 2018-09-09 (September 9, 2018)
WE HAVE A 2017 CARDINAL 5TH WHEEL, AND IN JUNE 2018 WE GOT BACK FROM CAMPING AND WHILE IN TRAILER EMPTYING OUR THINGS OUT WE HEARD A LOUD BAND. IT ENDED UP BEING THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT GOOD YEAR MARATHON ST TIRE THAT BLEW DUE TO A LARGE BULGE ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE TIRE. WE CALLED GOODYEAR AND THEY SAID TO FIND A GOODYEAR PLACE TO HAVE THEM REPLACE AND THE DEALER COULD DEAL WITH THEM. WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR OUR REFUND. NOW SEPT 8TH 2018 DRIVING HOME TO CA FROM UT WE PULLED INTO JEAN NV TO GET FUEL AND I NOTICED A BULGE ON THE INNER SIDE OF T…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11128375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11218821 · 2019-06-09 (June 9, 2019)
PURCHASED NEW 5TH WHEEL TRAILER IN DECEMBER OF 2017 WITH GOODYEAR MARATHON ST235/80R16, LOAD RANGE E TIRES INSTALLED. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A SOMEWHAT CURVY AND HILLY STATE HIGHWAY WITH 4800 MILES ON RV, THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE DAMAGING THE RV IN THE PROCESS. I PULLED TO SHOULDER AND FAILED TIRE HAD A SIGNIFICANT LEAK, BUT DID NOT BLOW OUT SO I REPLACED IT WITH THE SPARE. I HAVE TPMS INSTALLED ON ALL 4 WHEELS WHICH REPORTS TIRE PRESSURE AND TEMPERATURE. ALL 4 TIRES WERE NOMINAL JUST PRIOR TO FAILURE. ALL TIRES…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11218821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11234914 · 2019-07-25 (July 25, 2019)
WE HAVE A 2017 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. WE HAVE ONLY TAKEN OUR TRAILER OUT FIVE TIMES FOR APPROXIMATELY 3900 MILES. THE LAST TRIP TO ARIZONA ON INTERSTATE 40 TOWARD FLAGSTAFF. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 80 DEGREES WITH LIGHT RAIN. THE PSI WAS 80 LBS IN THIS TIRE WHEN IT BLEW OUT ON JULY 12TH, 2019. THE SECOND TIRE BLOW OUT ON INTERSTATE 40 NEAR YUCCA REST STOP AROUND 20 MILES FROM NEEDLES, CALIFORNIA. PSI WAS 80 LBS WHEN THIS SECOND TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 102 DEGREES. THIS HAPPEN IN JULY 17TH, 2019 THE THIRD TIRE TO BL…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11234914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405415 · 2021-03-29 (March 29, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SINCE OWNING THE TRAILER, HE HAS HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES A TOTAL OF 11 TIMES DUE TO TIRE BLOWOUTS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE TRAILER. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION OF THE TRAILER HE NOTICED A BLOWOUT OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. UPON REPLACING THE TIRE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SIGNIFICANT UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SHACKLES INSTALLED ON THE TRAILER HAD UNDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405415 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440997 · 2021-11-19 (November 19, 2021)
The slide out system cause the frame to separate from the wall of the travel trailer. This allowed water to get into the wall which rotted the support. When traveling, the slide out would separate on its own. Fortunately, I was made aware by a friend and was able to take the RV to the dealership for inspection and repair. I have a another friend that has a Forest River Wildwood that had the same issue which was also corrected before an accident occurred. From what I was told, the wall and screws for the system are were the issue and larger ones…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440997 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11643651 · 2025-02-19 (February 19, 2025)
The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Cardinal. The contact stated that while her husband was hauling the fifth wheel at approximately 60-65 MPH, the two front emergency exit windows detached. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear window detached from the RV. The contact stated that the sleeping quarter window was loose. The contact's husband used tape to secure the window. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V523000 (Equipment, Structure). The RV was taken…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11643651 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V258000 · Equipment:Other:Labels | Tires
Reported: 2016-04-29 (April 29, 2016)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Cardinal recreational vehicles, models CAF3455RL, CAF3825FL and CAF3850RL, manufactured from November 20, 2015, through April 1, 2016. These vehicles may be equipped with a Federal Placard that indicates an incorrect tire and rim combination. The placard states the tire and rim combination is ST235/80R16 LRE Tires with 80 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00JJ, when the actual combination on the vehicle is LT235/85T16 LRG Tires with 110 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00HD. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: If the operator inflates the tires to the PSI indicated on the label, the tires will be operated while being under-inflated causing pre-mature wear and a possible tire blow out, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and provide a new corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-04172016-0179.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V336000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2017-05-24 (May 24, 2017)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, model CAF3250RL. The Federal Placard on these vehicles overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) by 840lbs. for each axle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence: The incorrect GAWR makes the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label incorrect and may result in the vehicle being overloaded, affecting the vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR and a new CCC label, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-206-7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-05192017-0412.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V523000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | Structure
Reported: 2021-07-09 (July 9, 2021)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.
Consequence: Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.
NHTSA campaign record ↗