2005 Forest River Cardinal Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 5,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal. The part named most often is body and structure, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and tires (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure3 50%
- Equipment2 33%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2005 forrest river Cardinal. The contact stated that the frame had cracks on both sides of the vehicle near the wheels. The contact felt that the frame was poorly designed. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the frame was not covered under warranty and there were no recalls addressing the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10419628, filed 2011-08, 1,000 milesEquipment: “2005 Forest River Cardinal travel trailer. Dometic refrigerator recall notice. Consumer states that dometic will not repair their product. The consumer stated his refrigerator leaked ammonia and stopped working. Dometic informed the consumer that since the unit was inoperative and more than 3 years old they were not going to help with the repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10238233, filed 2008-08Tires: “Tire failure of two kenda klever a/p tires on my 2005 Cardinal 5th wheel on july 11, and 12, 2008. First failure (left rear) occurred approximately 6 miles east of north little rock, ak on I-40 westbound at 4:30 pm cst. Severe damage to side and underside of trailer. Second failure (left front) occurred approximately 30 miles north of marshall, tx southbound u.s. 59 at about 1:00 pm cst. Severe damage to side and underside with additional damage to sewage disposal pipework. …”
NHTSA complaint #10240166, filed 2008-08, 7,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 4,000 and 6,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V454000Oct 1, 2010EquipmentCovers: Forest River Cardinal 2001–2005, Georgetown 2001–2005, Cedar Creek 2003–2006, 2009 +9 more
Forest river is recalling certain recreational vehicles equipped with dimplex electraflame, symphony, or optiflame branded electric fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. The plug in remote control receiver for the fireplace can overheat.
- 08V346000Jul 7, 2008Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Forest River Cardinal 2003–2006, Rockwood 2003–2006, Forester 2003–2006 +17 more
Forest river is recalling certain my 2003-2006 motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution…
Recall details for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal.
Other model years of the Forest River Cardinal
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 | 3,950 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 11 | 6,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 5 | 4,500 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 7 | 7,000 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 6 | 5,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Forest River Cardinal model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005 Forest River Cardinal have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2005 Forest River Cardinal is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 2005 Forest River Cardinal been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2005 Forest River Cardinal reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,000 miles and the middle half falls between 4,000 and 6,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.