VehicleVerdict

2004 Forest River Cardinal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2004 Forest River Cardinal — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Cardinal years?

Cardinal NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted17 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 2 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 2 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 6 complaints2006: 7 complaints2008: 2 complaints2009: 5 complaints2010: 3 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 17 complaints2016: 4 complaints2017: 11 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Cardinal NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cardinal years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Forest River Cardinal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other267%
Tires & Wheels133%

Does the 2004 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V454000OtherOctober 1, 2010 · 2,207 units

Defect

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.

08V346000OtherJuly 7, 2008 · 107,417 units

Defect

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MY 2003-2006 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence

IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR DOES NOT WORK DUE TO A MANIFOLD CRACK. AS A RESULT, AMMONIA LEAKED OUT. THERE WAS A RECALL AND A TECHNICIAN CAME OUT AND REPAIRED THE VEHICLE IN 2007. IN THE BEGINNING OF 2008, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 7, 2006

“WE HAVE A 2004 CARDINAL 5TH WHEEL THAT HAD KENDA TIRES LT23585R16 ON A SHORT TRIP WE BLEW A TIRE ON THE WAY TO N.H(7/27/10) AND ONE ON THE WAY BACK TO MA(8/3/10). WE WERE GOING THROUGH A TOLL 10MPH WHEN THE FIRST TIRE BLEW, THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE WITH PIECES OF THE BELT HANGING OUT.IT SEEMS THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 3, 2010

2004 Forest River Cardinal — common questions

Is the 2004 Forest River Cardinal reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Forest River Cardinal. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.