VehicleVerdict

2022 Forest River Cardinal problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2022 Forest River Cardinal — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2022 compare to other Cardinal years?

See all Cardinal years to avoid →

Does the 2022 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

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

24V272000Electrical SystemApril 17, 2024 · 4,480 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Cardinal, Wildcat, 2018-2019 Cedar Creek, 2021 Columbus, 2023 Continental Cargo, 2021-2024 Dynamax DX3, Dynamax Dynaquest XL, Dynamax Isata, Forest River IBEX, 2022-2024 Dynamax Europa, Forest River NOBO, 2022-2023 Forest River Sandstorm, Shockwave, Stealth, and 2021-2023 Dynamax Force trailers. The LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheat.

Consequence

A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by May 14, 2024. Owners may contact Suburban customer service at 1-574-247-9235 option 5; Cardinal & Wildcat customer service at 1-574-296-7700; Cedar Creek customer service at 1-260-593-4000; Columbus customer service at 1-574-821-1487; Continental Cargo customer service at 1-254-420-0171; Dynamax customer service at 1-574-264-6664; Ibex & Nobo customer service at 1-574-6421612; and Sandstorm & Shockwave customer service at 1-909-873-3777. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1760.

22V556000OtherJuly 29, 2022 · 49,295 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Coachmen Catalina, Cross Trail, Pursuit, Sportscoach, East to West Della Terra, Silver Lake, Forest River Forester, FR3, Sunseeker, Wildwood, 2022 Coachmen Adrenaline, Apex, Brookstone, Chaparral, Chapparral Lite, Clipper, Freedom Express, Independence Trail, Mirada, Spirit, Viking, Work and Play, East to West Ahara, Tandara, Forest River Aurora, Cardinal, Cedar Creek, Cherokee, Flagstaff, Georgetown, Ibex, Impression, Ozark, Puma, R-Pod, Rockwood, Sabre, Salem, Sandpiper, Sandstorm, Shockwave, Sierra, Solera, Stealth, Stealth Evo, Surveyor, Vengeance, Vibe, Wildcat, XLR Toyhauler, Prime Time Avenger, Crusader, Lacrosse, Sanibel, Tracer, Shasta Oasis, and Phoenix fifth wheel and travel trailers. The electric retractable awning has a welded seam on the fabric that may separate, potentially allowing the awning to drop beyond normal operation.

Consequence

An awning that drops or extends beyond normal operation can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fabric roll or complete awning, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2022. Owners may contact the customer service numbers listed in the recall report for their designated model. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1532. This recall supersedes and expands NHTSA recall number 22V-486.

22V135000OtherMarch 8, 2022 · 1,009 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2022 Coachmen Catalina, Aurora, Apex, Freedom Express, Spirit, Work N Play, Forest River XLR Toy Hauler, Vengeance, Sabre, Cherokee, and Cardinal travel trailers and fifth wheels. The wire cord that connects to the back of the 50AMP shore power inlet may be loose.

Consequence

Loose wires may contact each other and cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the shore cord inlet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact the following customer service numbers: Forest River 1-574-825-4995; Catalina & Aurora 1-574-825-8657; APEX 1-574-825-8205; Freedom Express & Work n Play 1-574-825-6302; Cardinal 1-574-296-7700; Cherokee and Vengeance 1-260-499-2100; Sabre 1-574-642-2100; and XLR 1-574-642-0432. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1485.

22V004000Tires & WheelsJanuary 7, 2022 · 1,164 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Prime Time Sanibel, Crusader, Forest River Cardinal, and Continental Cargo fifth wheel trailers, equipped with certain Sailun tires, size ST235/80R16/G. Due to a manufacturing issue, the tires may experience a belt separation.

Consequence

Belt separation could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the tire DOT codes, and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1449.

21V988000Electrical SystemDecember 17, 2021 · 111 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles. The generator compartment may not be sealed properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.

Consequence

Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the generator compartment for proper sealant and apply sealant if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1444.

2022 Forest River Cardinal — common questions

Is the 2022 Forest River Cardinal reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2022 Forest River Cardinal have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2022 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.