2017 Forest River Cardinal Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,950miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Forest River Cardinal (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2017 Forest River Cardinal. The part named most often is tires, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by other or unknown (2) and body and structure (2). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,950 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Tires3 43%
- Other or unknown2 29%
- Body and structure2 29%
- Wheels2 29%
- Equipment1 14%
- Suspension1 14%
Example complaints
Tires: “We have a 2017 Forest River Cardinal. We have only taken our trailer out five times for approximately 3900 miles. The last trip to arizona on interstate 40 toward flagstaff. The temperature was around 80 degrees with light rain. The PSI was 80 lbs in this tire when it blew out on july 12th, 2019. The second tire blow out on interstate 40 near yucca rest stop around 20 miles from needles, california. Psi was 80 lbs when this second tire blew out. The temperature was around 102 degrees. …”
NHTSA complaint #11234914, filed 2019-07, 3,900 milesOther or unknown: “The slide out system cause the frame to separate from the wall of the travel trailer. This allowed water to get into the wall which rotted the support. When traveling, the slide out would separate on its own. Fortunately, I was made aware by a friend and was able to take the RV to the dealership for inspection and repair. I have a another friend that has a Forest River Wildwood that had the same issue which was also corrected before an accident occurred. From what I was told, the wall and screws for the system are were the issue and larger ones were put in place.”
NHTSA complaint #11440997, filed 2021-11Body and structure: “The contact owns a 2017 Forest River Cardinal. The contact stated that while her husband was hauling the fifth wheel at approximately 60-65 MPH, the two front emergency exit windows detached. While driving at undisclosed speeds, the rear window detached from the RV. The contact stated that the sleeping quarter window was loose. The contact's husband used tape to secure the window. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V523000 (Equipment, Structure). …”
NHTSA complaint #11643651, filed 2025-02Wheels: “Purchased new 5th wheel trailer in december of 2017 with goodyear marathon st235/80r16, load range e tires installed. While driving at 55 MPH on a somewhat curvy and hilly state highway with 4800 miles on rv, the left rear tire tread came completely off the tire damaging the rv in the process. I pulled to shoulder and failed tire had a significant leak, but did not blow out so I replaced it with the spare. I have TPMS installed on all 4 wheels which reports tire pressure and temperature. All 4 tires were nominal just prior to failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11218821, filed 2019-06, 4,800 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 3,900 and 4,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 21V523000Jul 9, 2021Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Forest River Cardinal 2014–2019, Georgetown 2014–2021, Cedar Creek 2014–2020 +8 more
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Coachmen Cross Country, 2015 Coachmen Encore, 2016-2020 Coachmen Mirada, 2018-2021 Coachmen Sportscoach, 2019-2021 Forest River Berkshire, 2011-2016 Forest River Blue Ridge, 2014-2019 Forest…
- 17V336000May 24, 2017Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Forest River Cardinal 2016–2018
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cardinal recreational trailers, model CAF3250RL. The Federal Placard on these vehicles overstates the Gross Axle Weight Rating capacity (GAWR) by 840lbs. for each axle. As such, these vehicles…
- 16V258000Apr 29, 2016Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Forest River Cardinal 2016–2017
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Cardinal recreational vehicles, models CAF3455RL, CAF3825FL and CAF3850RL, manufactured from November 20, 2015, through April 1, 2016. These vehicles may be equipped with a Federal…
Recall details for the 2017 Forest River Cardinal → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2017 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 2017 Forest River Cardinal have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2017 Forest River Cardinal as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2017 Forest River Cardinal is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 2.
Has the 2017 Forest River Cardinal been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 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 2017 Forest River Cardinal reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,950 miles and the middle half falls between 3,900 and 4,000 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.