2012 Keystone COUGAR: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 5 complaints (60.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Structure:Body: 3; Suspension: 2; Electrical System: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire: 1; Wheels: 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 | 3 |
| 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: 3; 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 (3). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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 10474175 · 2012-09-07 (September 7, 2012)
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. KEYSTONE RV'S ATTITUDE SURPRISES ME, THEY CLAIM THAT THE WIRE COULDN'T HAVE BEEN RUBBING ON THE TIRE AND WHEEL, BECAUSE THE WIRE …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10474175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10523629 · 2013-07-08 (July 8, 2013)
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, THE LEFT FRONT LEAF SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED THE AXLE TO BREAK AS WELL. UPDATED 08/06/13
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10523629 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607193 · 2014-06-30 (June 30, 2014)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11015114 · 2017-08-14 (August 14, 2017)
BACK BUMPER WELDS BREAKING WITH A SPARE WHEEL MOUNTED THERE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11015114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11154028 · 2018-11-26 (November 26, 2018)
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, [phone removed]) WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES AND EMAILED THEM TO THE KEYSTONE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED LIMITED ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR MOST OF THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT SE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11154028 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.
12V355000 · Equipment | Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | Structure:Body:Bumpers
Reported: 2012-07-26 (July 26, 2012)
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.
Consequence: Over time, the bumper may fail and/or separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury and property damage.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V755000 · Equipment
Reported: 2017-11-22 (November 22, 2017)
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
Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗