KEYSTONE Complaints

Weld on frame of 5th wheel attachment. Hitch I beam tore loose from cross member tubing, tearing the tubing completely apart. Crossmember broke at hitch attachment point. Had we not caught it when stopping to camp, the trailer could have broken loose from the truck injuring us or anyone behind us on the road.

Brand new tire purchased in February 2025, date code 2424, less than 100 miles. Driving about 60MPH on [XXX] when the tire blew. This is a single axle trailer, the failed tire was on the passenger side. Partial loss of control for a moment, and was able to safely pull over and replace it with the spare. The entire sidewall is destroyed, with steel wires holding the tread on. I can see some areas in the tread pattern where there are strings coming through the rubber - which leads me to believe this is a manufacturing problem. The sister tire on the driver's side is still up and holding at 98PSI. Tire size is ST235/80R16. Tire was right at 100PSI, and I have a pressure monitoring system. There was some damage to the trailer, not catastrophic. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2022 Keystone Dutchman Redwood RV. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in stop-and-go traffic, there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the rear of the RV. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the fifth wheel and became aware that the rear axle had detached. A mobile mechanic was contacted and repaired the RV, allowing the contact to continue driving. The RV was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the U-bolts had failed. The RV was repaired. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at slow speeds, other drivers were waving to the contact to attempt to notify the contact that there were leaf springs falling onto the roadway. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The RV was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the U-bolts and leaf springs had failed, and the rear axle had shifted. The RV was repaired. Most recently, the contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was a loud sound coming from the rear of the RV. The contact stated that the RV fishtailed; however, the contact was able to control the RV. The RV was inspected, and the contact became aware that the rear panel and axle had detached from the RV, and the front passenger’s side tire had a blowout. The RV was taken to the dealer who declined to repair the RV because the warranty had lapsed. The RV was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the U-bolts and leaf springs had failed, and the rear axle had shifted. The RV repair was pending. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V728000 (SUSPENSION). The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2022 Keystone Raptor. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V082000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT). While inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed a circular opening had melted on the side of the RV. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer refused to perform the recall repair because the RV was not purchased from the dealer. The contact stated that it was a 40-mile drive to the nearest dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that a supervisor would be in contact. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool search not available.

There was a bulge showing near the front of the camper, dealer inspected and said there is frame flex, possibly broken welds on the frame, which is a common problem with the lippert manufactured frames. Model years directly before this year(2022) were recalled for the same problem. This seems to be a common issue for 2022 models as well but there still is no safety recall despite the inherent risk of them being on the road.

Upon attempting to leave campground at approximately 10am on April 19, 2025, unplugged electrical from RV and switched over to gas. The Norcold refrigerator caught fire within minutes of the switch over (apparently in the amount of time it took the gas to travel from the tanks to the fridge). Fortunately, I was able to disconnect the gas hoses from the tanks immediately upon noticing the flames and we were able to douse the fire with extinguishers. However, the RV has suffered some damage to the vents, and the fridge is fried. There was also a strong stench of ammonia, and we evacuated the area momentarily until it dissipated. I have made multiple attempts to include emails and completing online forms through Norcold / Thetford (as they cannot be reached directly via telephone) and they have yet to respond, and it has been 3 1/2 weeks! I do not feel that I should have to file a claim with my RV insurance carrier, pay deductibles, and have my premiums raised due to a defect. I purchased this RV on 9/15/2021 and have never received any recall information and only discovered there had been recalls on Norcold Polar Max refrigerators after entering a google search. If we had been asleep, the chances of having fatal injuries due to this defect would have been high. If we had been traveling, the risks of losing the entire rig, vehicle, our lives, and the lives of others on the highway would have been much higher. Any help in getting this immediately resolved will be greatly appreciated as we have had to cancel any future use of the rig until a resolution has been concluded with the manufacturer of the refrigerator. There were witnesses to this incident in the campground and I have contact information, if needed.

On 4/26/2025 The Suburban stove caught on fire. This is a serious issue, if were not in the RV to catch this, all our belongings and our RV would have went up in flames. Now the company wants to do a half baked repair.

The contact owns a 2013 Keystone Sprinter equipped with the original Dometic Refrigerator, Model Number: DM2652RBX, Serial Number: 24595696. The contact stated that while parked and occupying in the RV, the contact discovered that the refrigerator was not cooling as intended, causing the food to spoil. The contact immediately unplugged the refrigerator, refilled the propane and the refrigerator failed to work as intended. The contact also stated that brakes for the trailer was inoperable. The contact stated that the cause of the failure had not been determined by a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, no assistance was offered.

The recall was originally done by the selling dealer in February 21. We purchased the RV in February 21. The recall failed 6 months later. It was repaired by the frame manufacturer BAL while we were in Florida. The recall is failing AGAIN. This recall is inadequate. RV is no longer safe to tow. Keystone knows the recall repair is inadequate.

The model is a High County 385 BR and a crack appeared below the front bedroom slide and the slide stopped working correctly. I took the unit to Blue Compass in Katy, Texas and they discussed the issue with Keystone which resulted in the completion of what they called a flex test, basically they measure the distance between a fixed point in the hitch and the lower frame with the unit on ground on its jacks and then lift it on the king pin and make the same measurement, which I'm told needs to be 1/2" max, mine was over 1". So they took body work off to allow inspection of the main structural frame ( supplied by LCi) and aluminum framing and found broken aluminum framing welds, what appears to be cracked structural welds and a cut out on the structural frame which doesn't appear to meet their specification. The quality of the welding is poor at best with lots of undercut, blow holes, lack of fusion, lack of fill, etc, I'm assuming Keystone and LCi operate under self inspection. Keystone initially provided a repair procedure which they told me was NSTB approved, but seems like we have gone beyond this position with the welding to be inspected by LCi on the 10th March. As I've read may cases online about the subject of RV Flex, and Keystone providing a repair procedure which they stated was NSTB approved I'm writing this note to yourselves as I'm thinking the extent of the problem may not have been provided to NSTB when the procedure KSB-210122 V2 was provided to yourselves. I'm writing this note as I'd hate to see one of these units fail on the highway due to the issues I see in the frame of my unit. I can provide pictures on the welds, etc if required, you can email me at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)