VehicleVerdict

2009 Forest River Cardinal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2009 Forest River Cardinal — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Cardinal years?

Cardinal NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 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, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cardinal years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Forest River Cardinal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels360%
Other120%
Suspension120%

Does the 2009 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V148000OtherMay 1, 2009 · 176 units

Defect

FOREST RIVER IS RECALLING 176 MY 2009 CARDINAL FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS. THESE TRAILERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." DUE TO FAULTY SCALES IN THE PRODUCTION FACILITY, THE LABEL FOR THE CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY VALUES IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR MISPRINT LABEL COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FOREST RIVER WILL BE MAILING CORRECTED LABELS TO RETAIL PURCHASERS, AND/OR TO DEALERS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-206-7600.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON APRIL 6, 2012 I WAS ON MY WAY TO A CAMP GROUND WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES ON MY CAMPER BLOW OUT. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE TIRE. ON JULY 18, 2012 I AGAIN WAS ON MY WAY TO A CAMP GROUND AND THE SECOND TIRE CAME A PART. THIS TIME THE TIRE DAMAGED THE CAMPER. THE FOLLOWING IS TIRE INFORMATION: HERITAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 6, 2012

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL RV EQUIPPED WITH A DOMETIC AWNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE AWNING OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DEALER TORE THE AWNING FABRIC WHILE THE RV REMAINED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE DEALER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 13, 2010

“2009 FOREST RIVER CEDAR CREEK G2 FIFTH WHEEL RV WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE SHACKLES AND U BOLTS SECURING THE TRAILER SUSPENSION CAME OFF, AS PER THE MANUFACTURER THEY WERE NOT PROPERLY SECURED BY LOCKING BOLTS, AND THE AXLES WERE MISSING THE GUIDE PINS FOR THE LEAF SPRINGS . THE TRAILER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · September 6, 2009 · crash

2009 Forest River Cardinal — common questions

Is the 2009 Forest River Cardinal reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2009 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2009 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.