VehicleVerdict

2017 Keystone Cougar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2017 Keystone Cougar — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 7 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

3

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Cougar years?

See all Cougar years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Keystone Cougar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure267%
Electrical System133%

Does the 2017 Keystone Cougar have recalls?

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

21V380000Body & StructureMay 24, 2021 · 1,990 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Keystone Cougar 368MBI trailers. The frame rails do not have enough cross support, which could cause them to buckle under certain side-load stress conditions.

Consequence

A buckled frame rail can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will add cross braces between each spring hanger and an outrigger between the tires on the off-door side of the vehicle, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2021. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 21-411.

17V755000OtherNovember 22, 2017 · 1,205,997 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V755-5127.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence

In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-574-535-2100, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.

17V673000OtherOctober 25, 2017 · 1,890 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Keystone Cougar western edition recreational trailers. The stabilizer jacks may not have been properly welded to the chassis frame, possibly resulting in the jacks detaching from the trailer during transit.

Consequence

If the stabilizer jacks separate during transit, they could be a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting of the four stabilizer jacks and install appropriate fasteners, free of charge. The recall began on December 5, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-306.

17V206000Electrical SystemMarch 27, 2017 · 43 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017 Cougar recreational trailers, models 326RDS, 327RKL, 333MKS, 336BHS and 359MBI. These vehicles were built with a manual-resetting 12 volt circuit breaker, which cannot be used in close proximity to the liquid propane storage.

Consequence

If the breaker sparks when it is being manually reset, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailers and replace the breaker with one that automatically resets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 29, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-282.

17V147000OtherMarch 7, 2017 · 30 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2017 Cougar and Laredo recreational trailers. The affected vehicles may have been incorrectly equipped with two carbon monoxide detectors instead of one smoke detector and one carbon monoxide detector.

Consequence

Without a smoke detector, in the event of a fire, the trailer occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Keystone will notify owners and dealers will inspect the trailers and install a smoke detector, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2017. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for the recall is 17-279.

16V822000OtherNovember 14, 2016 · 127 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cougar fifth wheel trailers, models 246RLSWE, 268RLSWE, 279RKSWE, 281RDIWE, 283RETWE and 284RDBWE, manufactured August 2, 2016, to October 28, 2016. During installation, the propane gas cross tube manifold that connects the propane cylinders may have contacted the fasteners for the floor decking.

Consequence

The contact may result in a propane leak, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will replace the manifold, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2016. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 16-269.

16V609000OtherAugust 22, 2016 · 99 units

Defect

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2017 Cougar recreational trailers, models CG28SGS17, CG28RDB17, CG28RKS17, CG29RES17, CG29RLI17 and CG28DBI17, manufactured July 15, 2016, to August 3, 2016. The affected trailers have a Federal Identification Tag and Tire and Loading Information Label with incorrect information. Additionally, tires with the wrong load range may have been installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence

If tires of an incorrect load range are installed, tire failure may result, possibly causing a loss of vehicle control, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tires and/or Federal Identification Tag if it is incorrect, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2016. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 16-262.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 5TH WHEEL COUGAR TRAVEL TRAILER LAST MAY. THE WHOLE BOTTOM FRAME IS BENDING AND DEGRADING BECAUSE I SUSPECT IT WAS MADE WITH CHEAP CHINESE STEEL. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE AND IS BLAMING IT ON HITTING THE CURB WHICH IS PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 29, 2018

2017 Keystone Cougar — common questions

Is the 2017 Keystone Cougar reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 7 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2017 Keystone Cougar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Keystone Cougar. 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.