2021 Forest River Puma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 4 complaints on file for the 2021 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 2021 compare to other Puma years?

Puma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Puma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Forest River Puma problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Other	1	25%	— flat
Body & Structure	1	25%	▼ down
Suspension	1	25%	— flat
Tires & Wheels	1	25%	▼ down

Does the 2021 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.

21V784000OtherOctober 8, 2021 · 44 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Puma travel trailers. The black wastewater-holding tank may be missing the ventilation pipe, allowing methane gas to build up.

Consequence

In the presence of an ignition source, a gas build up increases the risk of fire.

Remedy

Dealers will properly vent the black wastewater-holding tank, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-642-0606. Forest River's number for this recall is 420-1425.

20V799000OtherDecember 18, 2020 · 15 units

Defect

Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Puma travel trailers. The outdoor cooktop may be stowed away while the propane hose is still attached and the burner is on.

Consequence

If the cooktop is stowed away while the propane hose is attached and the burner is on, it will increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the drawer housing the outside cooktop preventing the drawer from being closed while the propane line is still attached, free of charge. The recall began January 15, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-642-0606. Forest River's number for this recall is 425-1269.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“in the course of our first camping trips we weighted the camper multiple times, and the numbers did not add up as they should have. We requested that service look at that as well during the repair process. They discovered though the spec calls out a hitch weight of 700lbs, ours was weighing…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 19, 2021

“2021 FOREST RIVER PUMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ISSUE WITH THE HOT WATER HEATER. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE ADDITIONAL DEFECTS THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WOULD NOT LOCK, AND THE FLOORING HAD DEFECTS FROM MANUFACTURING. AND THE PROPRANE TANK COVER FIT POORLY. ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 24, 2023

“Castle Rock Radial ST 225/75R15 When driving North on I81 in West Viginia just outside of Martinsburg my front left camper tire blew out and caused a lot of damage to the sideout on my camper. When traveling back from our camping trip weekend the right front axle tire blew approx. 15 miles from our…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 25, 2023

“We picked up this camper on May 19, 2021 and returned it to the dealer May 28, 2021 because the leaf springs supporting the camper a completely flat. ”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 19, 2021

2021 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2021 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 2021 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 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 2021 compare to other Puma years?

What are the most common 2021 Forest River Puma problems?

Does the 2021 Forest River Puma have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2021 Forest River Puma — common questions

Is the 2021 Forest River Puma reliable?

Does the 2021 Forest River Puma have recalls?

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