2018 Forest River Puma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2018 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 2018 compare to other Puma years?

Puma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Puma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Puma problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Tires & Wheels	3	75%	▲ up
Body & Structure	1	25%	— flat

Does the 2018 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.

17V699000OtherNovember 6, 2017 · 8 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Puma recreational trailers. The Federal Placards indicate incorrect tire load range and tire pressure (PSI) information. The placard states a tire size of ST205/75R15/D requiring 50PSI, however the installed tires are size ST205/75R15/C, requiring 65PSI. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims," and they also fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

The incorrect tire information can cause the operator to over-inflate the tires, which can cause premature tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-642-0588. Forest River's number for this recall is 425-0560.

17V635000Tires & WheelsOctober 9, 2017 · 742 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018 Puma recreational trailers. When installing and tightening the wheels on the trailers, the wheel center caps may have interfered, preventing the wheels from being properly tightened.

Consequence

If the wheels were not properly tightened, they may loosen and detach while the trailer is moving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will remove the plastic wheel center cap and install a different center cap, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0588. Forest River's number for this recall is 420-0537.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CASTLE ROCK ST225/75R15 BLEW OUT AT NORMAL OPERATING PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AT 65MPH ON I95. THE TIRE PASSED PRE TRIP INSPECTION AND PRESSURE CHECK. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 200 MILES, THE TIRE BLEW OUT ON CLEAN PAVEMENT. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES OF USE ON TIME OF BLOW OUT. THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · May 18, 2020

“THE UNDERBODY OF THE 2018 PUMA RV HAD RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE FRONT OF THE RV TORE OFF WHILE EXITING A GAS STATION. THIS TYPE OF THING SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED, PARTICULARLY SINCE IT'S ONLY A 2018 MODEL. LUCKILY THEY WEREN'T ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55 MPH.*DT*JB*DT”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 21, 2020

2018 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Puma reliable?

The record is thin — 4 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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 2018 compare to other Puma years?

What are the most common 2018 Forest River Puma problems?

Does the 2018 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2018 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2018 Forest River Puma reliable?

Does the 2018 Forest River Puma have recalls?

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