repaired · 2026 Q2
Equipment: electrical
Risk. A circuit board that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
2021 Forest River CardinalProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 2021 Forest River Cardinal, most often about the structure. It is covered by 6 safety recalls, and for recall 24V-272 the manufacturer reports only 31% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 13, 2025. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2021 Forest River Cardinal has problems
1 complaint grouped by the system owners reported.
1Structure
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2021 Forest River Cardinal recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Tires: tread/belt
Risk. Belt separation could lead to loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical: accessory generator
Risk. Carbon monoxide inside the vehicle can increase the risk of injury or death.
repaired · 2025 Q1
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
Risk. A detached spare tire carrier can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Show 2 more recalls
repaired · 2023 Q4
Equipment
Risk. A misaligned furnace flue can allow furnace exhaust to leak into the living space, increasing the risk of injury or death.
repaired · 2022 Q4
Lpg systems: furnace
Risk. If exhaust enters the trailer, it can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, which can increase the risk of injury or death.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Forest River.
Best & worst years
2021 vs. every other Cardinal year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Cardinal median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'08'09'10'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Cardinal owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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.…
Own a 2021 Cardinal?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.