Model year record

2020 Forest River Puma recalls & problems

The 2020 Forest River Puma has 2 safety recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (2 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints6filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentJun 4, 2024

Recreational vehicle/trailer › 120/240 vac electrical system › Charger low voltage battery

Recall 24V39500041,353 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2004-2024 Cedar Creek and 2006-2024 Puma fifth wheels trailers. The overcurrent protection from the trailer battery may have been incorrectly routed, allowing the wires to be pulled out of the junction box.
Risk: A loose wire can cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will reroute the wires to the protected side of the mini-beaker, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Puma customer service at 1-574-642-0588 or Cedar Creek customer service at 260-593-4000. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1786.

EquipmentFeb 12, 2020

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 20V0750004,464 vehicles

Problem: Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Surveyor, NO BO, Cherokee, R. POD, Clipper, Viking, Independence, Puma and East to West trailers. The spare tire carrier U-bolts may fail allowing the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the spare tire carrier and spare tire detach from the vehicle while in motion, it can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace U-bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 20, 2020. Owners may contact Surveyor, NO BO, R. and POD customer service at 1-574-642-3119, Independence, Viking, and Clipper customer service at 1-269-467-4600, Puma customer service at -574-642-0606, East and West customer service at 1-574-264-6664 or Cherokee customer service at 1-877-426-5337. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1133.

Components: Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer; Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
StructureBody	2	0	0	—
WheelsRim	2	0	0	—
Electrical system	1	1	1	—
Tires	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Wheels › Rim
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and hauling the RV trailer, he became aware that the rear driver's side tire was flat. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the flat tire was the result of a crack in the wheelbase of the wheel assembly. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was unknown.
Oct 12, 2023
Tires
Castle Rock ST 235/80R16 on the drivers side rear axle tire. I had just exited the interstate when the tire violently exploded. Debris from the side of the trailer and parts of the tire scattered across the opposing lane of traffic. Fortunately, no one was coming. This failure was harmful enough but would have been catastrophic for someone had this occurred on the busy interstate. Tire examined, belts had separated under the tread, leading to the failure. Examination of the remaining three tires, all Castle Rock, revealed one had underlying belt separation and was close to exploding and another had unusual wear indicating a separation was occurring. I have read multiple accounts of these…
Jun 4, 2023
Wheels
3 wheels have had holes/cracks causing them to leak air. had a tire blow out which caused major damage to the rv
Jun 29, 2022
Structure
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Palomino Puma travel trailer. The contact stated that there was brown water leaking from the roof into the ceiling light fixture and walls of the RV. The RV was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the insulation caused the water to change to a brown color. The dealer replaced the wood on the walls of the RV; however, the failure recurred. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Jan 19, 2022
Structure › Body
The contact owns a 2020 Forest River Puma RV. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, the structure underneath the trailer detached from the RV. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he continued driving to his destination. The contact took the RV to an independent mechanic and was informed that the structure underneath the RV has been replaced. The RV was repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Apr 1, 2021 · 2,000 miles
Electrical systemFire1 injury
THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 FOREST RIVER PALOMINO PUMA 28BHSS TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE AND HER TWO CHILDREN AND HUSBAND WERE SLEEPING, THE ELECTRICAL PANEL LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM INSIDE THE BUNKHOUSE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS SLEEPING IN THE CHILDREN'S ROOM AND WAS AWAKEN BY THE FIRE. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND THEN SCREAMED FOR EVERYONE TO EVACUATE THE TRAVEL TRAILER. THE CONTACT'S TWO PETS DIED FROM THE FIRE AS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO EVACUATE. THE CONTACT WAS THE ONLY PERSON WHO RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION ON THE SCENE AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS…
Apr 28, 2021

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.