RV Recalls for motorhomes, fifth wheels, trailers, toy haulers.

Posted on March 12, 2008

MY = Model Year

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued recall notices for the following RVs:

Motorhome Recalls

Fleetwood RV has recalled 376 MY 2008 Expedition, Bounder diesel, Discovery, Providence, Excursion, and Revolution LE motor homes that include field effect transistor boards built by Magnum Energy, Inc. Faulty inverter circuitry could result in overheating and present a potential fire hazard. Dealers will replace the inverters where necessary.

Fleetwood is recalling 50 MY 2008 Fiesta and Terra model motor homes. The entry step attachment cradle/support may bend as a result of step usage and insufficient structural material strength, causing the step to become unstable. If the step were unstable, this could possibly result in a risk of personal injury, vehicle and/or other property damage. Fleetwood will inspect and, if necessary, reinforce the entry step attachment cradle/support. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. Owners may contact Fleetwood at 1-800-509-3418.

Steering arm fasteners that were either under- or over-tightened prompted the recall of 35 MY 2007-2008 Presidio 400 and Presidio 360 motorhomes by Four Winds. These vehicles, on Freightliner chassis, and equipped with Axle Alliance Company front axles, could be subject to a sudden crash as a result of metal fatigue and fracture caused by the incorrectly torqued fasteners. Four Winds and Freightliner are working together on the repairs.

Ten MY 2008 Four Winds Presidio 360 and Mandalay motor homes on Freightliner chassis were equipped with Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valves. A leak problem in the internal structure of the valves could cause delay or even failure of the parking brake application, which could cause the vehicle to roll away, possibly resulting in an accident. Four Winds and Freightliner are working with Bendix on solving this issue.

Monaco Corp. has announced the recall of 113 MY 2007-2008 Simba toyhauler motorhomes because of inadequate clearance between the rear wheels. Potentially, the tires could rub against the screws that secure the panels for the holding tank storage area, eventually leading to a tire blowout with its attendant risks of an accident. Dealers will correct the problem.

Monaco is recalling 1,733 MY 2006-2007 Diplomat and Holiday Rambler Endeavor motor homes equipped with wiper systems supplied by AM Equipment. The drive motor link becomes disengaged during operation from the wiper drive arm where it attaches to the drive arm causing the wiper system to fail. When the wiper system fails, the operator will have reduced visibility which could result in a crash. Monaco will replace the complete under-the-hood wiper system with a new model, reusing the wiper arm and blades. The recall is expected to begin March 2008. Owners may contact Monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Monaco is recalling 122 MY 2006-2007 Camelot and Holiday Rambler Scepter Class A motor homes. The rubber liquid propane (LP) hose on the back of the refrigerator may have extra length of hose. This extra hose should have been pulled back by the main house connection and secured. This extra hose potentially can be damaged by heat from the burner tube if the hose comes in contact with the burner flue. If the hose is in contact with the burner flu for an extended period of time, the hose can melt causing an LP leak with the possibility of a fire. Dealers will inspect the refrigerator compartment and for excess LP hose. If the hose is not damaged, it will be secured with a clamp away from the burner flue. If the hose shows any sign of melting or fatigue, it will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during late March 2008. Owners may contact Monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Forest River is recalling 89 MY 2003-2008 Tsunami motor homes built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with ZF model 8018 steering gears. These gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculation balls to escape from the recirculation ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering. The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. Loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash. Forest River is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear (please see 07V343 and 07E049). This recall was the subject of EQ07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. Owners may contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or Forest River at 1-574-389-4600.

In 409 MY 2007-2008 Newmar Dutch Star, Kountry Star, and Ventana motorhomes, there may be a loose connection between the bus bar and a grid pad due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. Electrical power may be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems causing the vehicle to shut down or not power up.

A faulty speed control deactivation switch in 5,575 Newmar MY 1994-2003 Dutch Star, Kountry Aire, Kountry Star, Mountain Aire, and Scottsdale motorhomes on certain Ford chassis could overheat, resulting in a potential fire hazard. Newmar and Ford will correct the problem.

Damon is recalling 126 MY 2007-2008 Tuscany, MY 2008 Astoria and Astoria Pacific motor homes built on Freightliner chassis. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under-tightened. Incorrectly tightened steering arm fasteners may fatigue and fracture which could cause a crash without warning. Damon is working with Freightliner to repair these vehicles free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign.

King of the Road is recalling 20 MY 2005-2007 Genesis G40QG, MY 2006-2007 G40QH, G40TF, and MY 2007 G40QI motor homes built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with ZF model 8018 steering gears. These gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. This could potentially allow the recirculation balls to escape from the recirculation ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering. The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. Loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash. King of the Road is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear (please see 07V343 and 07E049). This recall was the subject of EQ07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. Owners may contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712 or King of the Road at 1-308-389-7200.

Trailers and Fifth Wheels

In 247 Keystone Fuzion toyhauler fifth wheels, the propane hose for the slideout is too long, which allows the hose to hang too close to the tire. This could cause contact abrasion of the hose, possibly resulting in a propane leak and potential fire hazard. Dealers will replace the hose and repair the problem.

Disc brake systems manufactured by Active Technology and installed in 359 MY 2007 Elite Suites, Mobile Suites, and Select Suites fifth wheels by Double Tree RV could overheat, causing damage to the brakes. This has prompted a recall of these vehicles by the manufacturer because of the possible fire hazard and risk of a crash. Double Tree and Active Technology are working together on the repairs.

Please contact NHTSA for details if you think your RV could be affected by any of these recalls. NHTSA's hotline is 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Recalls during February 2008