2004 Keystone Cougar Problems
- Complaints
- 26filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 3,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Keystone Cougar (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2004 Keystone Cougar. The part named most often is tires, with 20 complaints (77% of the total), followed by equipment (5) and electrical system (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 3,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Equipment complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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.
- Tires20 77%
- Equipment5 19%
- Electrical system1 3.9%
- Body and structure1 3.9%
- Suspension1 3.9%
Example complaints
Tires: “Multiple tire blow outs less than 5000 miles with the first one, less than 80 miles with the replacement (spare never used always maintained) which then caused a third tire to strip. All of this within one trip with our rv that is just 5yrs old. We purchased it brand new and since he was a truck driver, he always did inspections before each trip checking tires, pressure, wear etc. Our tires were virtually barely worn when this occurred and looked brand new. …”
NHTSA complaint #10279059, filed 2009-08, 80 milesEquipment: “The electric glide out mechanism was located on the outside of the frame. This takes the clearance from the tires when the fifth wheel is turning. The tire rubbed against the mechanism and caused them to wear prematurely, which could result in a blow out. Also, no chains can be put on tires because there is no space for them. Chains is needed and required by law for driving in bad whether. The glide out manufacturer removed the mechanism from the outside of the fifth-wheel and put it in on the inside, which corrected the problem. This problem is on all fifth-wheel and trailers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10119047, filed 2005-05, 1,000 milesElectrical system: “While operation of the lippert slideout in our '04 Keystone 285efs fifth wheel, the slide stopped. Upon investigation (following wires, checking fuse, contacts, etc.) I found burnt out and melted wire nuts directly behind the fuse panel lying in sawdust. The wires are 10 gauge (30 amp). One stripped end was an inch in length while the other was less than 1/16 . These wires provide full 12 volt amperage to operate the slideout. This way of stripping wires for wire nut attachment is not prudent for a safe electrical connection and is extremely dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10179243, filed 2007-01Body and structure: “We purchased our 2004 Keystone Cougar travel trailer in feb 2005 from the original owner who had only used it on a 200 mile trip once as his wife had taken ill and he couldn't use it any longer. In apr/may of 2006 we went on a cross country trip. We had a blowout the 1st day out on I-75 near the north marion county line. We then had another blowout as we entered ca on I-8. Our 3rd blowout came on our return trip on I-10 in la. All three tires were mission radials that came new on the rv from the manufacturer and caused fender damage. On may 31, 2007 we again went on another cross country trip. …”
NHTSA complaint #10200364, filed 2007-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,000 and 6,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 17V755000Nov 22, 2017EquipmentCovers: Keystone Cougar 2003–2018, Outback 2003–2018, Montana 2003–2018 +58 more
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…
- 08V325000Jul 17, 2008Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Keystone Cougar 2004–2007, Montana 2004–2007, Sprinter 2004–2007 +15 more
Keystone is recalling 161,250 my 2004-2007 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 could be released…
- 07V134000Mar 22, 2007Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Keystone Cougar 1999–2004, Sprinter 1997–2004, Springdale 1998–2004 +10 more
Certain fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in certain tubing in the refrigerator which could allow pressurized flammable coolant solution to be released into an…
Recall details for the 2004 Keystone Cougar → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2004 Keystone Cougar.
Other model years of the Keystone Cougar
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 9 | 6,250 | 8 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 5 | 475 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 5 | 5,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 6 | 1,500 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2012 | 5 | 300 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 9 | 4,000 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2010 | 10 | 2,500 | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 9 | 5,000 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 9 | 12,500 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 6 | — | 4 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 7 | 4,980 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 26 | 3,000 | 3 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 6 | 5,488 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 6 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Keystone Cougar model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Keystone Cougar have?
NHTSA recorded 26 consumer complaints for the 2004 Keystone Cougar as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Keystone Cougar is reported most often?
Tires is named most often, in 20 complaints (77% of the total), followed by equipment with 5.
Has the 2004 Keystone Cougar 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 2004 Keystone Cougar reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 3,000 miles and the middle half falls between 1,000 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.