2021 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL
6 recalls — 2 complaints — 3 TSBs
24V272000 Apr 17, 2024
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Forest River Cardinal, Wildcat, 2018-2019 Cedar Creek, 2021 Columbus, 2023 Continental Cargo, 2021-2024 Dynamax DX3, Dynamax Dynaquest XL, Dynamax Isata, Forest River IBEX, 2022-2024 Dynamax Europa, Forest River NOBO, 2022-2023 Forest ... Read more
Consequence
A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will disconnect and cut the circuit powering the LED backlights and terminate the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed by May 14, 2024. Owners may contact Suburban customer service at 1-574-247-9235 option 5; Cardinal & Wildcat customer service at 1-574-296-7700; ... Read more
22V004000 Jan 7, 2022
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Prime Time Sanibel, Crusader, Forest River Cardinal, and Continental Cargo fifth wheel trailers, equipped with certain Sailun tires, size ST235/80R16/G. Due to a manufacturing issue, the tires may experience a belt separation.
Consequence
Belt separation could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the tire DOT codes, and replace the tires as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 1, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-825-4995. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1449.
21V988000 Dec 17, 2021
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ACCESSORY GENERATOR
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cardinal fifth wheel recreational vehicles. The generator compartment may not be sealed properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.
Consequence
Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the generator compartment for proper sealant and apply sealant if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2022. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1444.
21V145000 Mar 8, 2021
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal and Wildcat Fifth Wheels trailers. The spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach from the vehicle.
Consequence
A detached spare tire carrier can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the spare tire carrier, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River Customer Service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1304.
21V141000 Mar 5, 2021
EQUIPMENT
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal CAF345RLX, CAF366DVLE, CAF390FBX and 2021 Wildcat WCF336RLS, WCF368MB vehicles. The furnace flue may become misaligned due to insufficient furnace hold screws that allow movement during travel.
Consequence
A misaligned furnace flue can allow furnace exhaust to leak into the living space, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the furnace and align the flue, free of charge. The recall began March 24, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-1302.
20V655000 Oct 26, 2020
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE
Defect Description
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2021 Cardinal fifth wheel trailers. The fresh air intake sleeve for the furnace is too short and does not have proper connection of the furnace to the exterior, allowing furnace exhaust to enter the trailer.
Consequence
If exhaust enters the trailer, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can increase the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct intake sleeve to allow for proper connection on the furnace, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-296-7700. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-124... Read more
Complaint Statistics
2 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 2 |
POWER TRAIN
Aug 13, 2025
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
I am filing a safety complaint regarding repeated and unresolved transmission issues with my Jeep. The vehicle has undergone two full transmission replacements after a $10,000 repair, yet critical symptoms persist, including transmission overheating (up to 240°F) and a loud whining noise while acce... Read more
POWER TRAIN
Aug 13, 2025
Incident date: Jul 9, 2024
The transmission is going out and it started with a shudder. The change for the transmission filter and oil was only a temporary fix. It also shifts hard or there is a delay in the shift.
Technical Service Bulletins — 2021 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL
3 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 130000 VISIBILITY | 1 |
| 200000 WHEELS | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
151360
Jun 11, 2021
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The holding tank monitor panel only allows for five holding tanks. The vehicle has six holding tanks. A separate holding tank monitor panel needs to be installed.
831334
May 19, 2021
200000 WHEELS
It was discovered that the manufacturing plant did not cut a stress relief line in the upper deck Driver Side and in on certain models, Passenger Side under the slide room(s). The upper deck in the Impression Fifth-Wheel needs to flex, with
151308
Mar 26, 2021
130000 VISIBILITY
The pleated shades covering the windows may retract on their own.
FOREST RIVER CARDINAL — All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the FOREST RIVER CARDINAL across all model years (1997–2024).
48
Total Recalls
81
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
1
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
FOREST RIVER CARDINAL — Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | View |
| 2023 | 0 | 3 | View |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | View |
| 2021 (current) | 6 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 1 | View |
| 2019 | 1 | 2 | View |
| 2018 | 3 | 0 | View |
| 2017 | 3 | 11 | View |
| 2016 | 4 | 4 | View |
| 2015 | 1 | 17 | View |
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | View |
| 2013 | 2 | 2 | View |
| 2012 | 0 | 1 | View |
| 2010 | 0 | 3 | View |
| 2009 | 1 | 5 | View |
| 2008 | 0 | 2 | View |
| 2006 | 1 | 7 | View |
| 2005 | 2 | 6 | View |
| 2004 | 2 | 3 | View |
| 2003 | 3 | 1 | View |
| 2002 | 2 | 1 | View |
| 2001 | 2 | 2 | View |
| 2000 | 1 | 2 | View |
| 1999 | 1 | 3 | View |
| 1998 | 1 | 2 | View |
| 1997 | 1 | 0 | View |