The 2005 Forest River Cardinal has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 109,624 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the equipment. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT10V4540002010-10-012,207 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy
FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX AND DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539.
EQUIPMENT08V3460002008-07-07107,417 affected
Defect
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 COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE…
Consequence
IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
FOREST RIVER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN…
Complaints by component
EQUIPMENT
1
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
1
STRUCTURE
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
1
1fires
TIRES
1
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* 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…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 forest river cardinal 29ts fifth wheel trailer. While the vehicle was at the repair shop for an unrelated issue, the mechanic decided to check the frame of the vehicle. A trailer was previously serviced there and a mechanic noticed that the frame was cracked. After…”
“2005 forest river cardinal travel trailer. Dometic refrigerator recall notice. Consumer states that dometic will not repair their product. *nj the consumer stated his refrigerator leaked ammonia and stopped working. Dometic informed the consumer that since the unit was inoperative and more than 3…”
“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)…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 forest river cardinal pull behind trailer. The contact stated that the cooling unit on the refrigerator leaked after a crack formed in the cooling tube. The contact discontinued using the refrigerator. Someone informed the contact of the recall via the internet. He…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2005 forest river cardinal 36ts rv. While driving between 55-60 mph on normal road conditions, smoke appeared from the rear of the vehicle. Immediately, the vehicle began pulling to the left without assistance. The driver pulled the vehicle over and inspected underneath. He…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Forest River Cardinal as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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