I cannot find any information on my fifth wheel trailer when entering the VIN on multiple websites. The only thing I can find is an incorrect length and an error code saying the model year for this vehicle may be incorrect. I am trying to resale this trailer and I am having a difficult time due to this. If you look at a 2015 brochure of cardinal trailers, my 3450rl model is there. If you look at a 2016 brochure, my model is not there. My trailer is a 2016 3450rl, however, I disagree. I don't know if this was a show trailer at shows or what the deal is, but I would have liked to have known all of this before I purchased this thing new at an outrageous price. I am super upside down on a 2016 trailer now. This industry needs regulation.
The worst 2016 Forest River Cardinal problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body1
- Electrical1
- Wheels1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body1
- Electrical1
- Wheels1
Recalls 4
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- 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 River Cardinal, 2014-2020 Forest River Cedar Creek, 2014-2021 Forest River Georgetown, 2019 Forest River Legacy, and 2017-2018 Forest River Riverstone recreational vehicles equipped with Hehr 6400 Series windows. The adhesive that bonds the vented portion of the window may fail.
- Risk
- Adhesive failure may cause the vent portion of the window to detach, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the windows, and replace the vent if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2021. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑825‑8600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-1380.
Recall number 21V523000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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 fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- The incorrect GAWR makes the Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label incorrect and may result in the vehicle being overloaded, affecting the vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide a new Federal Placard with the correct GAWR and a new CCC label, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2017. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑206‑7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-05192017-0412.
Recall number 17V336000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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 Placard that indicates an incorrect tire and rim combination. The placard states the tire and rim combination is ST235/80R16 LRE Tires with 80 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00JJ, when the actual combination on the vehicle is LT235/85T16 LRG Tires with 110 PSI and a rim designation of 16X6.00HD. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
- Risk
- If the operator inflates the tires to the PSI indicated on the label, the tires will be operated while being under-inflated causing pre-mature wear and a possible tire blow out, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners, and provide a new corrected Federal Placard, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on, or about, June 23, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑206‑7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-04172016-0179.
Recall number 16V258000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain model year 2016 Cardinal fifth wheel travel trailers, model CAF3850RL. The affected vehicles have Federal Certification Placards that list an incorrect gross axle weight from what is actually installed on the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
- Risk
- Incorrect placards may result in improper trailer loading. Improper loading may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Forest River will notify owners and mail them a corrected Federal placard label, free of charge. The recall began on January 13, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1‑574‑206‑7600. Forest River's number for this recall is 15-12112015-0122.
Recall number 15V860000 · Recall details
What 2016 Forest River Cardinal owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Goodyear marathon tires less than 3000 miles, air pressure 80 psi lug nut torqued. Right rear tire blew while driving down ]highway 19 thru ocala national forest at 60 miles per hour. Camper is equipped with tyron straps but still did not prevent tire from tearing fender off, wiring, metal damage,hyd line punctured and fiberglass damage.
Compare the 2016 Forest River Cardinal
Other model years
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Questions about the 2016 Forest River Cardinal
Is the 2016 Forest River Cardinal reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2016 Forest River Cardinal, 2.0 times a typical Cardinal model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Forest River Cardinal?
Body and structure, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2016 Forest River Cardinal have?
4 recalls, covering equipment.
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