VehicleVerdict

2020 Forest River Puma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 2020 Forest River Puma — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 1 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

6

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Puma years?

Puma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted6 complaints2006: 2 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 1 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 1 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 1 complaints2016: 2 complaints2017: 2 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 6 complaints2020: 6 complaints2021: 4 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Puma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Puma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Forest River Puma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels350%
Body & Structure233%
Electrical System117%

Does the 2020 Forest River Puma have recalls?

2 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.

20V075000OtherFebruary 12, 2020 · 4,464 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling the RV trailer, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the flat tire was the result of a crack…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 12, 2023

“The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Palomino Puma travel trailer. The contact stated that there was brown water leaking from the roof into the ceiling light fixture and walls of the RV. The RV was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the insulation caused the water to change to a brown color.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 19, 2022

“THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FOREST RIVER PALOMINO PUMA 28BHSS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE SLEEPING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM INSIDE THE BUNKHOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING IN THE CHILDREN'S…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 28, 2021 · fire

2020 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2020 Forest River Puma reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Forest River Puma. 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.