2006 Forest River Cardinal recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
What could happen: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The fix: 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 L…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2006 CARDINAL.
- Book a repair at any authorized Forest River dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V346000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-888-446-5157.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Summary: 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 (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
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 LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FOREST RIVER AT 1-574-389-4600.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2006 Forest River Cardinal owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Wheels / tires (6), Lights (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
08/07/2009 · Wheels / tires
FOUR FAILED TIRES ON 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. *TR
08/07/2009 · Wheels / tires
TIRE FAILURE ON 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. *TR
08/07/2009 · Wheels / tires
TIRE FAILURE ON 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. *TR
08/07/2009 · Wheels / tires
TIRE FAILURE ON 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. *TR
02/14/2009 · Wheels / tires
BLOWN TIRE ON RV FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN ST TIRES NOT FIT BY KARRIER TO PROFIED A SAFE TIRE UNDER LOAD CONDITIONS AND CURRENT SPEED LIMITS. FORREST RIVER SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND RECALL TIRES. MY TIRES ARE BY KARRIER LOAD STAR CARILES WAS ALL THAT WAS LISTED. *TR
12/16/2008 · Lights
THE OVERHEAD DC LIGHT WAS NOT WORKING AND THE BULB WAS NOT BURNED OUT. I TOOK THE LIGHT FIXTURE DOWN AND FOUND A LARGE SCORCHED AREA ON THE SOFT CEILING. THE PHINALIC (SPELLED WRONG) SPACER IN THE LIGHT FIXTURE HAD CRUMBLED AND THIS WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE BULB NOT WORKING BUT THIS FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE THE SCORCHING ON THE SOFT CEILING. I TOOK PICTURES AN…
10/08/2008 · Wheels / tires
OUR CAMPER, 2006 FOREST RIVER CARDINAL, CAME WITH KENDRA KARRIER LOADSTAR ST 235/80 R16 TIRES (DOT 7YHJ ANB 4404). WE BOUGHT CAMPER USED IN AUGUSTA, GA DURING MAY 2007. CAMPER IS IN GREAT SHAPE HAVING BEEN KEPT UNDER COVER AT ALL TIMES. TIRES HAD PLENTY OF THREAD, WERE PROPERLY INFLATED, AND LOOKED GOOD. WE HAVE TAKEN 4 OR 5 SMALL TRIPS WITH THE CA…