Recall 18V383 affects 5,151 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers with propane grills installed too close to wood. Repair is free at any franchised Keystone dealer.
Keystone is recalling 5,151 2018-2019 Cougar recreational trailers because the outdoor propane grill was installed in a wooden assembly with too little clearance from the heated area. High heat on that wood raises the risk of a fire, and Keystone dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The outdoor propane grill on 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers is meant to sit in its mounting assembly with enough open space around the heated area. That clearance keeps heat from the propane flame and grill body away from nearby materials. On these trailers, the grill is mounted in a wooden assembly, so the space around the hot parts matters.
In recall 18V383, the grill installation does not leave enough clearance from that heated area. After production began, the grill manufacturer's installation specifications changed, and the original wooden mounting assembly no longer matched the needed heat spacing. When the grill is used, heat builds close to the wood. The remedy replaces the combustible mounting material with a noncombustible component.
Before failure, owners can see smoke or discoloring around the wooden assembly that holds the grill. Those signs mean heat is reaching material that is not supposed to be exposed that way.
Who's affected?
Both model years are tied to the same recreational vehicle/trailer equipment component.
| 2019 Keystone Cougar | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2018 Keystone Cougar | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| Units affected | 5,151 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific trailer.
What's the safety risk?
High temperatures around the wooden assembly increase the risk of a fire. Smoke or discoloring on that assembly is the warning sign to take seriously. If you see either one, stop using the trailer and call a Keystone dealer for instructions before further travel. Repair is free at any franchised Keystone dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar is included in this recall.
- Schedule the free repair with a franchised Keystone dealer: Keystone replaces the wooden grill assembly with a metal assembly to restore clearance from the heated area.
- Bring the recall notice if Keystone mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V383 when you call.
- Avoid using the outdoor propane grill until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the Keystone dealer, a technician removes the wooden outdoor grill assembly and replaces it with a metal assembly with the required clearance from the heated area. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Keystone has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same grill assembly repair before the recall work was completed. Bring receipts or repair paperwork to the service desk, or contact Keystone customer service with the documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 7, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 26, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 31, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 31, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 31, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V383?
Recall 18V383 covers 5,151 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar recreational trailers equipped with an outdoor propane grill. The grill sits in a wooden assembly with too little clearance from the heated area, increasing fire risk. Keystone dealers replace the wooden assembly with a metal assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Keystone Cougar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 18V383. If it is, contact a franchised Keystone dealer to schedule replacement of the grill's wooden assembly with the metal assembly. Reference Keystone recall number 18-322 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Keystone dealers will replace the wooden outdoor-grill assembly with a metal assembly free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is fire. Keystone reported that the outdoor propane grill is installed in a wooden assembly with too little clearance from the heated area. If that wood is exposed to high temperatures, the trailer has an increased risk of fire.
When were owners notified about recall 18V383?
Keystone began the recall on July 26, 2018. If you bought the trailer used or never received a letter, the VIN check still decides whether your specific Cougar is included. You can also reference Keystone recall number 18-322 with the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V383000 |
|---|---|
| Keystone customer service | 1-866-425-4369 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V383 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V383000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →