RV News & Newsletter
Government issues RV recalls for January

Here is the monthly Recreational Vehicle Recall Report for January, 2008 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Each recall includes a brief summary of vehicle safety defect and non-compliance notices received during the given month. This report may not cover all recalls, but it is close to comprehensive.

Monaco is recalling 113 MY 2007-2008 Simba Toyhauler Class A motorhomes. These motorhomes lack the required jounce clearance between the rear wheels. The tires may rub on the flat panels that enclose the holding tank area and the screws which secure these panels may rub the inner sidewall of the rear dual tires. If the screws continue to rub the inner rear dual tire, it is possible that there could eventually be a tire failure. A tire blow out could result in a loss of control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, if the vehicle is run on a flat tire, this could lead to a potential fire in the wheel well area. Dealers will remove the rear dual tires and cut out an area of foam from the inner wheel wells that will be replaced with a piece of ABS plastic formed panel and an angle to seal the area. The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. 08V-001

Western RV is recalling 85 MY Alpine Coach Class A motorhomes equipped with Atwood sealed burner ranges. The range and slide-in burner tubes leading from the gas manifold to the burner heads had a depression or "kink" in the exterior bend restricting proper airflow and gas mixture. This condition could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Western RV is working with Atwood to have the tubes replaced on these ranges. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-006, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-005.

Prevost is recalling 600 MY 2004-2008 H3-41, H3-45, MY 2007-2008 X3-45, and MY 2004-2006 XLII motor coaches equipped with ZF/Arens Astronic shift selectors. A cell phone placed in the proximity of the shifter touch pad could cause the display to change from 'R' (reverse) to 'D’ (drive) should the phone receive a call. This interference can cause the transmission to not operate or cause improper shifting, as forward gear can be engaged from neutral only, if the vehicle has been stopped, and if the brake pedal has been depressed. If the malfunction occurs while ‘R’ (reverse) is being selected, the shifter may possibly change to ‘D’ (drive), increasing the risk of a crash. Prevost will mail stickers and installation instructions to their owners and will also arrange to have the transmission software upgraded. The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. 08V-007.

Four Winds is recalling 35 MY 2007-2008 Presidio 400 and MY 2008 Presidio 360 motorhomes built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with Axle Alliance Company (AAC) front axles. The fasteners that attach the steering arm or tie rod arms to the spindle may be over or under-tightened. Incorrectly torqued steering arm fasteners may fatigue and fracture which could cause a crash without warning. Four Winds will be working with Freightliner to repair these vehicles. 08V-009

Triple E is recalling 141 MY 2004-2008 Empress motorhomes 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. Triple E is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-012.

Fleetwood is recalling 376 MY 2008 Expedition, Bounder Diesel, Discovery, Providence, Excursion and Revolution LE motorhomes equipped with a field effect transistor (FET) board built by Magnum Energy, Inc. The circuitry inside certain inverters can cause an inoperative condition resulting in overheating of the inverter. Overheating of the inverter may result in a potential fire.Dealers will inspect and replace the inverter. The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. 08V-013.

Newmar is recalling 126 MY 2004-2005 Essex, Dutch Star, and Mountain Aire Diesel Pusher motorhome chassis built on Freightliner VCL or XC 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 recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating 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. Newmar is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-015.

Alfa Leisure is recalling 603 MY 2003-2008 Gold and MY 2007 See Ya motorhomes 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. Alfa Leisure is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-016.

Damon is recalling 73 MY 2004-2005 Escaper motorhome chassis 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. Damon is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-017

Coachmen is recalling 116 MY 2007-2008 Sportscoach Elite Class A 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. Coachmen is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear (please see 07V343 and 07E049). This recall was the subject of an  Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-019.

New Horizons is recalling 77 MY 2007 fifth wheel travel trailers equipped with Atwood sealed burner ranges. The range and slide-in burner tubes leading from the gas manifold to the burner heads had a depression or "kink" in the exterior bend restricting proper airflow and gas mixture. This condition could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. New Horizons is working with Atwood to have the tubes replaced on these ranges. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-006, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-021

National RV is recalling 107 MY 2008 Dolphin, Pacifica, Sea Breeze, and Tropi-Cal motorhomes for failing to comply with all the requirements of Part 567, 'Certification.' The vehicles were provided with incorrect Federal certification labels. The tags could contain erroneous information regarding chassis model, weight and tire pressure. National RV will provide customers with corrected Federal certification labels and corrected RVIA consumer information stickers by certified mail along with installation instructions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the United States Department of Transportation, has been notified that National RV, Inc. and its holding company, National RV Holdings, Inc., have filed for bankruptcy. NHTSA has been advised that owners who wish to pursue claims related to safety recall repair work on their National RV vehicles may file a proof of claim with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Riverside Division. The case number assigned to this matter is 07-17941. The Proof of Claim form and instructions are available online at the Court's website www.cacb.uscourts.gov. Additional information about the bankruptcy and its proceedings may also be found at www.omnimgt.com/nationalrv. National RV's phone number is (951) 943-6007. Information about safety recalls on National RV’s products may be found at www.safercar.gov. The NHTSA wishes to advise owners of recalled products that, in the interests of their safety and the safety of the motoring public, all safety recall work should be performed on motor vehicles and items of equipment. 08V-023.

Newmar is recalling 5,575 MY 1994-2003 Dutch Star, Kountry Aire, Kountry Star, Mountain Aire, and Scottsdale Class A motorhomes constructed on Ford F-53TY1 and P131 motorhome chassis and equipped with speed control. The speed control deactivation switch may overheat. Overheating could result in smoke or burn and an underhood fire. Newmar is working with Ford to install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA05-005, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-025.

Tiffin is recalling 1,292 MY 2005-2008 Allegro motorhomes 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 recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating 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. Tiffin is working with Freightliner and ZF to replace the steering gear. This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-004, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-027.

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling an undetermined quantity of MY 2008 Columbia, Cascadia, Century Class trucks and XCR motorhome chassis. Incorrect fasteners may not provide adequate clamping force between the brake caliper and brake anchor plate potentially resulting in reduced brake effectiveness. Reduced brake effectiveness could lead to a vehicle crash. Dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine if incorrect bolts were used. If incorrect bolts are found, vehicles will be inspected for possible additional damage and repaired as required. The recall is expected to begin during March 2008. 08V-029.

Four Winds is recalling 10 MY 2008 Presidio 360 and Mandalay motor homes built on Freightliner chassis and equipped with Bendix SR-7 spring brake modulating valves. The internal rubber check valve may leak causing a delay in the application of the spring brakes to park the vehicle after the operator pulls the dash valve button. This could cause a delay or failure in applying the parking brakes which could result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash. Four Winds is working with Freightliner and Bendix to install a check valve repair kit for the affected SR-7 spring brake modulating valve (please see 07V302 and 07E037). The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. 08V-034.

Keystone RV is recalling 247 MY Fuzion fifth wheel travel trailers. The propane hose for the slide room is too long allowing the hose to hang down too close to the tire. The propane line may become damaged as a result of contact with the tire. A propane leak, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire and/or explosion causing property damage and/or personal injury. Dealers will replace the propane hose with one of shorter length and will also shorten the hose support to move the hose away from the tire. The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. 08V-037.

DoubleTree RV is recalling 359 MY 2007 Elite, Mobile Suite, and Select Suite fifth wheel travel trailers equipped with a disc brake system produced by Active Technology. ActiBrake actuators installed on these vehicles, over time, may overheat damaging the braking system. This could create a fire or loss of braking power increasing the risk of a crash. DoubleTree is working with Active Technology to repair these vehicles (please see 08E007). The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. 08V-040.

Triple E RV is recalling 21 MY 2007 Empress, Regency, Regal, and Senator motor homes equipped with Atwood sealed burner ranges. The range and slide-in burner tubes leading from the gas manifold to the burner heads had a depression or 'kink' in the exterior bend restricting proper airflow and gas mixture. This condition could result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Triple E RV is working with Atwood to have the tubes replaced on these ranges (please see 07E030). This recall was the subject of an Equipment Query, EA07-006, conducted by the Office of Defects Investigation. 08V-044.