VehicleVerdict

2015 Forest River Cardinal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 2015 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.

17

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2015 compare to other Cardinal years?

Cardinal NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 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, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cardinal years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Forest River Cardinal problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels847%
Body & Structure318%
Suspension318%
Other212%
Visibility & Wipers16%

Does the 2015 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

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

21V523000Body & StructureJuly 9, 2021 · 825 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.

Consequence

Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE RV. THE RV WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL HUB AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 13, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH AND MAKING A TURN, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AXLE FRACTURED AND THE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE RV. THE RV WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL HUB AXLE ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 13, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THREE SLIDERS LEAKED. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS MOLD GROWING FROM THE SLIDERS THAT WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SLIDER LEAKAGE WAS A RESULT OF CONDENSATION. THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 24, 2014

“THIS RV BOUNCES AS IT TRAVELS, BOTTOMING OUT ON THE ROAD AND CAUSING MAJOR ISSUES WITH THE RV. IT HAD 2013 TIRES THAT BUBBLED FROM FATIGUE OF THE BOUNCE AND THE SPRING LEAFS WERE FLAT, REPLACED AND FLAT AGAIN. THE BOUNCE CAUSES ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE TAIL LIGHTS SOMETIMES NOT WORKING. FOREST…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 15, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FOREST RIVER AIRFLYTE (NA) TRAVEL TRAILER. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WHEEL CLEARANCE, THE TIRES ON EACH SIDE OF THE TRAILER MADE CONTACT WITH THE INTERIOR WHEEL WELL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FRONT JALOUSIE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · February 3, 2014

2015 Forest River Cardinal — common questions

Is the 2015 Forest River Cardinal reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2015 Cardinal problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are tires & wheels (8 complaints), suspension (3 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints).

Does the 2015 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2015 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.