2011 Keystone OUTBACK: complaints, problems and recalls

WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2011 KEYSTONE OUTBACK TOY HAULER-STYLE TRAVEL TRAILER. IT HAS A SIDE-ENTRY GARAGE ON THE FRONT OF THE TRAILER. KEYSTONE ADVERTISES THE TRAILER AS CAPABLE OF TRANSPORTING A FULL-SIZED MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE. UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S A DEFECTIVE DESIGN IN THE LOADING RAMP THAT MAKES GETTING A MOTORCYCLE IN THE GARAGE VERY DANGEROUS AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ANGLE OF THE LOADING RAMP WHEN IT'S OPENED. IT'S SO STEEP, MOST STREET MOTORCYCLES BOTTOM OUT ON THE FRAME. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10587438 at NHTSA ↗

POWER KING TOWMAX STR235/80R16 DOT 83B5 GPB DATE CODE 1410 TRAILER TIRE BLOWOUT. WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 MPH, OUR FIFTH-WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER'S RIGHT REAR TIRE MADE A LOUD BANG AS IF IT POPPED, THE ENTIRE TREAD AND STEEL BELT PORTION OF THE TIRE BEGAN TO COME OFF AS IF PEELED, AND THE TREAD BEGAN TO CUT UP THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRAILER AS IT SPUN AROUND WITH THE TIRE. THE CIRCULATING TREAD TORE THROUGH THE WEATHER BARRIER, TORE OUT THE INSULATION, BENT SUPPORTS FOR THE DECKING AND SKIRTING, BENT PROPANE LINES, AND BEAT THE PLYWOOD DECKING A…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,273 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595700 at NHTSA ↗

POWER KING TOWMAX STR235/80R16 DOT 83B5 GPB DATE CODE 1410 TRAILER TIRE BLOWOUT. WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 55 MPH AND LESS THAN AN HOUR AFTER A BLOWOUT OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF TIRE, OUR FIFTH-WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER'S RIGHT REAR TIRE MADE A LOUD BANG AS IF IT POPPED, THE ENTIRE TREAD AND STEEL BELT PORTION OF THE TIRE CAME OFF AS IF PEELED, AND CONTINUED THE DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRAILER THAT THE FIRST BLOWOUT BEGAN. THE TREAD/BELT PORTION SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE AND TORE MORE OF THE WEATHER BARRIER, TORE OUT MORE INSUL…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,284 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595705 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, I EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THESE TRAILER TIRES. TIRES WERE INFLATED TO MANUFACTUER INSTRUCTIONS 65 PSI. PRE TRIP INSPECTION SHOWED NO CRACKS OR DRY ROTTING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY DEFECT. VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERLOADED. AFTER REPLACING THE FIRST BLOW OUT, A SECOND TIRE CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WITHIN 30 MILES OF THE FIRST. CAMPER SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL, EXTERIOR TRIP, SOME LIGHTING WIRING AND PUT A HOLE IN THE FLOOR FROM UNDERNEATH.

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10853146 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-10-05 (October 5, 2010)

KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD 35 SERIES RANGE OVENS. A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SMALL FRACTURE WITHIN THE LINE DELIVERING GAS TO THE OVEN CAVITY BURNER. SUCH A FRACTURE MAY CAUSE PROPANE GAS TO LEAK FROM THE LINE.

Consequence: A PROPANE LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ISOLATE AND PERFORM A DROP PRESSURE TEST ON THE OVEN SUPPLY TUBE AND IF THE TUBE LEAKS IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2010. OWNER MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.

Reported: 2010-11-23 (November 23, 2010)

KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 15" X 6" WHITE SPOKE OR MODULAR DESIGN STEEL WHEELS WITH A SIX HOLE BOLT PATTERN. SOME OF THE WHEELS MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELD PENETRATION BETWEEN THE OUTER RING AND THE CENTER PLATE DUE TO IMPROPER PLATE ALIGNMENT.

Consequence: THERE COULD BE A POTENTIAL WHEEL FAILURE AND WHEEL LOSS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: KEYSTONE WILL REPLACE THE WHEELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE AT 1-866-425-4369.

Reported: 2011-01-04 (January 4, 2011)

KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 COUGAR, LAREDO AND OUTBACK TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH LIPPERT COMPONENT HITCH COUPLERS FOR LACK OF INDENTATION ON THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE COUPLER.

Consequence: IF THE COUPLER IS LACKING THE INDENT IT WILL LEAD TO AN INCREASED RISK OF TRAILER SEPARATION FROM THE HITCH BALL WHILE TOWING RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS ARE ASKED TO INSPECT THE HITCH COUPLER FOR THE CORRECT STAMPING. IF THE HITCH COUPLER IS NOT FORMED CORRECTLY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO REPLACE IT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-425-4369.

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.