2017 Forest River Puma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2017 Forest River Puma — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Puma years?

Puma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Puma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Forest River Puma problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Other	1	50%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	1	50%	— flat

Does the 2017 Forest River Puma have recalls?

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

24V395000OtherJune 4, 2024 · 41,353 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.

Consequence

A loose wire can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1786.

17V169000OtherMarch 14, 2017 · 44 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2017 Puma recreational trailers, models PT23FBC and PT25RSC. The Federal Placard has incorrect tire and rim size information, indicating ST205/75R15C tires with a 50 psi and rim size of 14X5, when the correct information is ST205/75R14C tires with a 50 psi, and rim size of 14X5.5JJ. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

The incorrect tire information can cause the operator to install the wrong size of replacement tires, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on March 30, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0588. Forest River's number for this recall is 420-03072017-0338.

16V866000OtherDecember 2, 2016 · 23 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2017 Puma trailers, models PT38DBS and PT38RLQ, manufactured August 15, 2016, to November 15, 2016. The Federal placards on the affected vehicles have incorrect tire and rim information. The placard incorrectly states a combination of ST225/75R15/D tires needing 65 PSI and a rim designation of 15X6.0JJ, while the vehicle is actually equipped with ST235/80R/16E tires needing 80 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.0JJ. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence

If referencing the information that is on Federal placard, the operator could under-inflate the tires causing a reduction of vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect Federal placard with a correct one, free of charge. The recall began on January 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0606. Forest River's number for this recall is 420-11162016-0276.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Headed home from camping and my tire blew on my 5th wheel trailer. Tires were inspected before leaving, tire pressure was 80psi per manufacturers recommendation. We were able to pull over, but the damage done to my camper includes damage to the fascia and fender skirting. We were going…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 22, 2023

“2017 PUMA TH 24 FT HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIE DOWN PLATES. THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE BODY WITH THIN 1/8TH THICK PLATE BY 6 INCH SELF TAPPING SCREWS AND IN MY CASE 2 OTHER THEM WAS MISSING THE PLATE COMPLETELY. ALSO IN THIS CASE TELL TIE DOWN RINGS ARE EMBEDDED IN THE FLOOR WITH NO SUPPORT BETWEEN THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 7, 2017

2017 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2017 Forest River Puma reliable?

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

Does the 2017 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Forest River Puma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2017 compare to other Puma years?

What are the most common 2017 Forest River Puma problems?

Does the 2017 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2017 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2017 Forest River Puma reliable?

Does the 2017 Forest River Puma have recalls?

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