2020 Forest River PUMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
2,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 6 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
| Wheels:Rim | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Structure: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Tires: 1; Wheels: 1; Wheels:Rim: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 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 (1). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 11416611 · 2021-05-14 (May 14, 2021)
THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FOREST RIVER PALOMINO PUMA 28BHSS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE SLEEPING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM INSIDE THE BUNKHOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AND WAS AWAKEN BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THEN SCREAMED FOR EVERYONE TO EVACUATE THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT'S TWO PETS DIED FROM THE FIRE AS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11416611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428655 · 2021-08-11 (August 11, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the structure underneath the trailer detached from the RV. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving to his destination. The contact took the RV to an independent mechanic and was informed that the structure underneath the RV has been replaced. The RV was repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage wa…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11428655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448087 · 2022-01-19 (January 19, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Palomino Puma travel trailer. The contact stated that there was brown water leaking from the roof into the ceiling light fixture and walls of the RV. The RV was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the insulation caused the water to change to a brown color. The dealer replaced the wood on the walls of the RV; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476880 · 2022-08-01 (August 1, 2022)
3 wheels have had holes/cracks causing them to leak air. had a tire blow out which caused major damage to the rv
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526386 · 2023-06-10 (June 10, 2023)
Castle Rock ST 235/80R16 on the drivers side rear axle tire. I had just exited the interstate when the tire violently exploded. Debris from the side of the trailer and parts of the tire scattered across the opposing lane of traffic. Fortunately, no one was coming. This failure was harmful enough but would have been catastrophic for someone had this occurred on the busy interstate. Tire examined, belts had separated under the tread, leading to the failure. Examination of the remaining three tires, all Castle Rock, revealed one had underlying bel…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11526386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550434 · 2023-10-17 (October 17, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling the RV trailer, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the flat tire was the result of a crack in the wheelbase of the wheel assembly. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550434 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V075000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire
Reported: 2020-02-12 (February 12, 2020)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V395000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:120/240 Vac Electrical System:Charger Low Voltage Battery
Reported: 2024-06-04 (June 4, 2024)
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.
Consequence: A loose wire can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1786.
NHTSA campaign record ↗