NEWS RELEASES
NHTSA Recalls Affecting The RV Industry In May
Editor's Note: This news item was retrieved and first published through The National Traffic Safety Admin's website.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported several recalls affecting recreational vehicles and towables by a number of manufacturers, as well as recalls affecting popular tow vehicles and Polaris ROVs. Owners who believe they may be affected by these recalls or other issues may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Safercar.gov.
Airstream Recall: 1,848 2018-2020 International, Sport, Flying Cloud, Classic, Tommy Bahama, Globetrotter, and Nest travel trailers. The forward end of the spare tire carrier may contact the ground while the trailer is moving possibly resulting in the carrier and spare tire separating from the vehicle. Dealers will install corrected spare tire carrier brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 28, 2019. Airstream customer service: 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111, extension 7401 or 7411.
Daimler Recalls
· Recall VS3FERNLI: 1,517 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (Platform 907) vehicles equipped with high-beam assist. A software error in the control unit may prevent the driver from switching off the high beams. Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner Sprinter dealers will update the control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 7, 2019. DVUSA customer service: 1-877-762-8267.
· Recall VS2SCHRALU: 9,471 2016-2017 Metris vehicles sold, or ever registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The aluminum bolts that attach the power steering gear assist motor to the gear housing may corrode and fracture causing a reduction or complete loss of power steering assist. Dealers will replace the aluminum bolts with steel bolts, free of charge. DVUSA customer service: 1-877-762-8267.
· Recall VS3LEDSENS: 590 2019 Freightliner Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles equipped with LED high performance headlights. The sensor for the headlamp range adjustment may not have been mounted or calibrated, causing unexpected changes in the headlamp lighting angle. Dealers will inspect and retrofit the sensor and correctly calibrate the rotation angle sensor, free of charge. DVUSA customer service: 1-877-762-8267.
Entegra Recall 9903432: 516 2019 Entegra Vision and Emblem motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly causing the wiring to overhead and cause a fire. Dealers will install a 25amp fuse, free of charge. Entegra customer service: 1-800-517-9137.
Forest River Recalls
· Recall 225-1003: 100 2019-2020 Coachmen Beyond, Crossfit and Galleria motorhomes equipped with ProAir air conditioning systems powered by a LI3 lithium ion battery system. The wiring for ProAir system may be undersized for the potential load and the circuit was not fuse or breaker protected. Dealers will replace the wiring and install a circuit breaker, free of charge. Forest River customer service: 1-574-825-8590.
· Recall 17A-1012: 3 2018-2019 Cherokee ACKT39CL and ACKT39RL travel trailers. The Federal Placard may have incorrect axle rating, cargo carrying capacity, and tire/wheel combination information. Dealers will provide replacement placards with accurate information, free of charge. Forest River customer service: 1-260-499-2100.
· Recall 80-1011: 1,346 2019-2020 R. Pod travel trailers. The wire for the refrigerator's spark igniter may have been connected to a breaker that permits a current higher than the wire can handle, causing it to melt and catch fire. Dealers will move the wire from the 30 AMP circuit to the designated 15 AMP circuit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 19, 2019. Forest River customer service: 1-574-642-3119.
· Recall 55-0992: 14 2019 Dynamax Isata motorhomes built on a RAM cab chassis. The primary and secondary brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules. Corrosion of the ferrules may cause a brake fluid lead and loss of braking. FCA US dealers will inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. FCA US customer service: 1-800-853-1403; Forest River: 1-574-262-3474.
· Recall 55-0993: 16 2018 Dynamax Isata vehicles built on a RAM chassis and equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway. Chrysler dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, if necessary, replace it, free of charge. Chrysler customer service: 1-800-853-1403; Forest River: 1-574-262-3474.
· Recall 10C-1001: 10 2019 Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers. The wiring for the front bedroom air conditioning may be improperly installed and come in contact with the heat strip in the air conditioner, causing the sheathing to melt and increasing the risk of fire. Dealers will secure the air conditioner wiring harness away from the heat strip, free of charge. Forest River customer service: 1-574-642-8943.
Jayco Recalls
· Recall 9901433: 86 2019 Jay Flight TF travel trailers, model 32RLOK. The supports for the fresh water tank may be too thin, resulting in the brackets breaking and the tanks detaching from the trailer. Dealers will install a threaded rod in the center of the water tank support apparatus to provide additional support, free of charge. Jayco customer service: 1-800-517-9137.
· Recall 9903432: 4,519 2014-2019 Precept, 2016-2019 Alante and 2019 Precept Prestige motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly resulting in overheating of the wiring and the risk of fire. Dealers will install a 25amp fuse, free of charge. Jayco customer service: 1-800-517-9137.
Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles Recall LL-2019-01: 659 2013-2017 Camplite and 2014-2017 Bearcat recreational trailers. One of the exit windows may be blocked by a manual awning arm. Dealers will remove the exit label and alter the window levers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2019. Livin' Lite customer service: 1-800-768-4016 extension 154 or 153.
REV Recreation Group Recall 190412REV: 63 2019 Fleetwood Flair Model 32 S and Holiday Rambler Admiral Model 32 S motorhomes. The generator exhaust pipe placement exits the motorhome within the vehicle's departure angle, possibly resulting in damage when the motorhome is driven on an incline, resulting in the possibility of carbon monoxide entering the vehicle when the generator is running. Dealers will inspect and reroute the generator exhaust pipe, as necessary, free of charge. REV customer service: 1-800-509-3417.
Tiffin Motorhomes Recall TIFF-111: 2,289 2018-2019 Phaeton, Allegro Bus, and Zephyr motorhomes. The alternating current electrical wires may have been improperly secured in the Energy Management Module, causing increased electrical resistance and causing the wires to overheat and catch fire. Dealers will inspect the Alternating Current Relay Board and make sure the wires are properly secured, free of charge. Tiffin customer service: 1-256-356-8661.
Newmar Corp. Recall: 476 2018-2019 Bay Star, Essex, New Aire, 2018 Bay Star Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, King Aire, Mountain Aire, Ventana LE, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes. The power supply for the WiFiRanger may overheat, increasing the risk of fire. Dealers will replace the power supply, free of charge. Newmar customer service: 1-800-731-8300.
Mobility Transportation Services Recall: 2,080 2014-2018 Ford Transit and Ram Promaster vehicles and 2014-2015 Ford Econoline vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman GO-ES Foldaway Seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. Freedman Seating dealers will inspect and repair the foldaway seat, free of charge. Mobility Transportation Services customer service: 1-734-453-6452.
New England Wheels Recall: 544 2014-2018 Ford Transit and 2014-2019 Ram Promaster 2500 and 3500 vehicles modified to be equipped with Freedman Go-ES Foldaway seats. When the back seat cushion is rotated from the stowed position to the upright position, the seat cushion may not remain locked into place when under load, such as in a crash or a sudden stop. Contact Freedman for repairs to the foldaway seats, free of charge. Freedman customer service: 1-800-443-4540; New England: 1-800-886-9247.
Tow Vehicle Recalls
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) Recalls
· Recall V48: 10,160 2018-2019 Ram 1500 pickup trucks. The rear driveshaft may have an incomplete weld fusion between the tube and tube yoke, which may lead to weld cracking or the driveshaft fracturing. Dealers will replace the rear driveshaft, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin June 15, 2019. FCA US customer service: 1-800-853-1403.
· Recall V44: 410,351 2015-2017 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks equipped with an 8 foot truck bed and a power locking tailgate and all 2018 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks built before April 1, 2018 that are equipped with a power locking tailgate. 2015-2017 MY Ram 1500 pickup trucks with truck beds other than 8 foot, are currently covered under NHTSA recall 18V-486. The tailgate actuator limiter tab may fracture and cause the tailgate to unlatch and open while driving. Dealers will repair the tailgate latch, free of charge. FCA US customer service: 1-800-853-1403.
General Motors Recall N182206310: 324,226 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block heater cord or the terminals that connect the heater cord to the block heater may short circuit and fail. The remedy for this recall is still under development. GM customer service: 1-586-596-1733.
Other Recalls of Interest to RVers
Polaris Recreational Vehicles
Recall: Model Year 2015 - 2019 Polaris RGR EV recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs). An incorrectly wired chassis harness can cause an incorrect throttle control signal to the electric drive motor, which can cause the vehicle to accelerate unexpectedly, posing a crash hazard.
Recall: Model Year 2019 Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo S recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs). The brakes can fail, posing crash and injury hazards.
SMC Trailers Recall: 92 2019 Laramie horse trailers. The living quarter entry steps may break when being stepped onto due to poor welds and missing rivets. Dealers will inspect the trailers, correcting the welds and installing rivets as necessary, free of charge. SMC Trailers: 1-574-966-5598.
Firman Power Equipment Recall: 19,000 Firman P03615 generators sold exclusively at Costco. The generator’s carbon canister can leak gas, posing a fire hazard. Return for refund.