Model year

2021 Forest River Cardinal

Trailer, Not Applicable, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Aug 13, 2025 to Aug 13, 2025.

Recall campaigns covering this model year66,154 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1Close to the median 2021 trailer
Severity index0.02021 trailers average 7.7
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2021 Forest River Cardinal peaked in 2025, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

00.250.50.751202512026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

100% of complaints about the 2021 Forest River Cardinal name structure

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Structure
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

6 recall campaigns cover the 2021 Forest River Cardinal

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2021 Forest River Cardinal
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
24V-272Apr 17, 2024LED backlight circuit board in the cooktop range may fail, causing the board to overheatEquipment4,480Not stated
22V-004Jan 7, 2022Due to a manufacturing issue, the tires may experience a belt separationTires1,164Part replacement
21V-988Dec 17, 2021Generator compartment may not be sealed properly, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the vehicleEquipment111Repair or modification
21V-145Mar 8, 2021Spare tire carrier may be installed incorrectly, allowing it to detach from the vehicleEquipment309Repair or modification
21V-141Mar 5, 2021Furnace flue may become misaligned due to insufficient furnace hold screws that allow movement during travelEquipment21Repair or modification
20V-655Oct 26, 2020Fresh air intake sleeve for the furnace is too short and does not have proper connection of the furnace to the exterior, allowing furnace exhaust…Equipment69Repair or modification
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2021 Forest River Cardinal

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Aug 13, 2025Failure Jul 9, 2024Terrell, TXStructure, Unknown or other

    Frame and Structural Integrity - Forest River Cardinal 366DLVE Doors and slide-outs open during transport. Cracks near the corners of upper deck slide openings. Separation of interior or exterior panels. Rub marks on floors under slide outs. Closet doors always coming off track in front bedroom. (cap) Excessive frame flex acknowledged by independent RV/trailer repair. Sawdust in the nose of the RV. Furniture rubbing walls or moving up and down or forward and back, every road trip. Unscrewing, loose, missing, or bent lag screws in the upper deck. Trim pieces on the front exterior move when hitched vs. unhitched. *Stress fractures in fiberglass on the side of the RV* Screws backing out and/or breaking on the slide in the upper deck. Cabinets pulling away from walls or ceiling. Trim pieces popping off or cracking due to shifting structure. (interior) Clunking or popping sounds when starting, stopping, or turning. Walls crinkling around windows and electrical outlets. Ceiling fan blades keep breaking. Tension rod curtains always drop out of window frame in transit. I have uploaded a few photos, additional photos upon request.

    NHTSA complaint 11680535
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

3 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • 151360 Jun 11, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    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, without the "stress r…
  • 151308 Mar 26, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    The pleated shades covering the windows may retract on their own.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.