On certain Atwood water heaters, installed as original equipment in various recreation vehicles or sold as aftermarket or replacement equipment, the gas valves can leak internally. A leak in the gas valve could cause a fire in the presence of an ignition source. In addition, if conditions were such that the leaking propane could build up in the enclosure or find its way into the cabin, any ignition source could cause an explosion.
Atwood will replace the water heater, or in instances where the water heater is installed in a motorhome, the valve will be replaced. The repair time cannot be determined until the inspection. Owners of water heaters included in this recall are advised not to use the appliance until it is checked and, if necessary, repaired.
For more information about this recall, contact Atwood at (574) 266-4826. Owner notification was expected to begin in June 2008.
Caterpillar Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 08E042000, which affects certain C7 and C9 turbocharged and air-to-air aftercooled diesel engines rated at 190 through 425 horsepower that were manufactured between January 8, 2007, and August 13, 2008. The potential number of engines involved is 8,950.
On engines that are equipped with a CR 350 (common rail high-pressure) fuel pump, a plug on the outlet side of the pump can crack. A crack in this plug could result in a high-pressure fuel spray or leak, which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
A Caterpillar service technician will replace the plug.
For more information about these recalls, contact Caterpillar at (800) 447-4986. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2008.
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 08V388000, which affects certain 2008 Fiesta and Terra motorhomes manufactured from September 28, 2007, through July 11, 2008. The potential number of vehicles involved is 369.
On certain motorhomes the battery control center (BCC) miscellaneous wire harness is routed between framing at the driver’s wheel well and the front leveling jack. This routing can cause the wires to be pinched and result in shorted or open circuits, which could lead to blown fuses, loss of house component operation, and potentially a fire.
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, reroute the BCC miscellaneous wire harness. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information about this recall, contact Fleetwood at (800) 509-3418. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2008.
Monaco Coach Corporation has announced NHTSA recall 08V298000, which affects some 2007 through 2009 model year Holiday Rambler Arista and Safari Passage and 2008 Holiday Rambler Atlantis SE and Safari Ivory SE motorhomes built from October 25, 2006, through June 6, 2008. The potential number of coaches involved is 203.
On the affected motorhomes, they may inadvertently have the liquid propane (LP) line routed from below the main floor through the slideout floor into the slideout wall. The LP line can become entangled with the 12-volt-DC and 120-volt-AC wiring, which could cause the hose to kink and/or become damaged (which could lead to an LP-gas leak). If the LP line were to leak and a spark occur, a fire or explosion could result.
Dealers will install a kit to replace and reroute the LP line. The repair is expected to take 45 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information about this recall, contact Monaco Coach Corporation at (800) 685-6545. Owner notification was expected to begin in September 2008.
Newell Coach Corporation has announced NHTSA recall 08V392000, which affects certain 2005 through 2008 model 450 motorhomes equipped with ZF transmissions manufactured from April 2005 through October 2007. The potential number of units involved is 80.
On certain motorhomes equipped with ZF transmissions, there is a potential for the shift selector to malfunction as a result of a cell phone or radio being placed in close proximity to the shifter control pad. The interference from the cell phone or radio could result in an unexpected change in direction and possibly lead to a crash if a specific sequence of events were to occur while the coach is stopped and the engine is running.
Dealers will update the software to the transmission shift controller. The repair is expected to take less than 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information about this recall, contact Newell at (888) 963-9355. Owner notification was expected to begin in August 2008.
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