Forest River Inc. has announced three NHTSA recalls.
The first is recall 16V-267, which involves certain model-year 2007-2014 Solera, Prism, and Freelander motorhomes built on Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter chassis. The potential number of affected vehicles is 77.
In the affected motorhomes, upon deployment of the driver’s frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. If the inflator ruptures, metal fragments could strike vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in injury or death.
Forest River began notifying owners in late June 2016, and either Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator. For more information, contact Mercedes-Benz customer service at (877) 496-3691.
The second is recall 16V-285, which involves certain model-year 2016-2017 Berkshire motorhomes manufactured from May 29, 2015, to April 26, 2016, and built on Freightliner chassis. The potential number of affected vehicles is 38.
In the affected motorhomes, the front sway bar mounting brackets may not fit properly on the axle, causing the mounting bolts to bend or loosen. If the sway bar bolts loosen, the sway bar may detach from the axle, affecting the handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers for Daimler Trucks North America, the chassis manufacturer, will modify the mounting of the sway bar. The recall was expected to begin in early July 2016. For more information, contact Daimler Trucks customer service at (800) 547-0712.
The third is recall 16V-330, which involves certain model-year 2014-2016 Charleston motorhomes manufactured from September 16, 2013, through September 25, 2016, and built on Daimler Trucks North America chassis. The potential number of affected vehicles is 147.
On certain motorhomes built with a heavier, adjustable foot pedal, the brake activation signal to certain towed devices may not deactivate when the motorhome service brakes are released. If the brake activation signal to a towed device remains active when the motorhome chassis service brakes are released, the brakes on a towed device may remain engaged, depending on brake configuration of the towed device. As a result, the brakes would drag and possibly overheat, potentially resulting in a fire. Also, following drivers may be confused by the motorhome’s actions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Forest River will notify owners, and Daimler Trucks dealers will modify the brake assemblies. The recall was expected to begin in mid-July 2016. For more information, contact Daimler Trucks customer service at (800) 547-0712.
Newmar Corporation has announced NHTSA recall 16V-414, which involves certain model-year 2014-2016 Dutch Star motorhomes manufactured from June 5, 2014, through October 16, 2015, and built on Freightliner chassis. The potential number of affected vehicles is 510.
In the affected vehicles, the steering box may have been manufactured with an incorrect spacer with insufficient height that can cause too much play, causing the connection to wear between the steering wheel and the front axle. The steering wheel’s connection to the front axle could fail, resulting in a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Newmar will notify owners, and dealers for Daimler Trucks North America, the chassis manufacturer, will inspect and replace the steering box, if necessary. Owners are urged not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected. The recall was expected to begin in early August 2016.
For more information, contact Daimler Trucks customer service at (800) 547-0712 or Newmar customer service at (800) 731-8300.
REV Recreation Group has announced NHTSA recall 16V-278, which involves certain model-year 2016-2017 Holiday Rambler Endeavor motorhomes, models 40DP, 40G, 40E, and 40X, manufactured from November 23, 2015, to April 7, 2016; and Holiday Rambler Endeavor XE motorhomes, model 37PE, manufactured from November 17, 2015, to April 6, 2016. The potential number of affected vehicles is 49.
In the affected motorhomes, a section of framework may rub against the front passenger-side tire, or may cause the mud flap to rub against that tire, resulting in excessive wear. Also, steering may be restricted. Excessive tire wear may result in tire failure; restricted steering can affect vehicle control. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
REV will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tube steel skirt framing and remove a nonsupporting diagonal section, if present; additional screws will be installed as required to secure the mud flap. The recall began in June 2016.
For more information, contact REV customer service at (800) 509-3417.
The following NHTSA recalls involve 15 or fewer motorhomes:
Forest River Inc.: Recall 16V-336 involves certain model-year 2016-2017 Forester and Sunseeker motorhomes manufactured from February 29, 2016, through April 20, 2016. Vehicles are equipped with a shower door that may not meet flammability standards. Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shower doors. Contact Forest River customer service: (574) 206-7600.
Forest River Inc.: Recall 16V-419 involves certain model-year 2017 Georgetown motorhomes manufactured from May 17, 2016, through May 19, 2016. Vehicles were equipped with two seat belt assemblies on the rear-facing dinette seat, allowing the vehicle to transport up to eight passengers instead of six as the gross vehicle weight rating was based on. Dealers will remove the extra seat belt assemblies. Contact Forest River customer service: (574) 206-7600.
Spartan Motors USA: Recall 16V-429 involves certain model-year 2017 Gladiator and K3 motorhome chassis manufactured from April 18, 2016, through June 7, 2016, and equipped with Cummins ISX15 engines using certain engine control modules (ECMs). The ECMs may experience an internal electrical short that can cause a fuse to blow, resulting in an unexpected engine stall without the ability to restart the engine. Spartan will notify owners, and Cummins dealers will replace the ECM. Contact Spartan customer service: (800) 543-5008.