Caterpillar Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 11E006000, which affects C15 diesel engines manufactured between April 24, 2006, and March 27, 2009, and used in Country Coach LLC motorhomes and equipped on Custom Chassis Products LLC platforms. The number of engines involved in the United States and Canada are 27 and 31, respectively, for these manufacturers.
On the affected engines, a weld on the combustion tube, which directs heat through a body and into the diesel particulate filter, may degrade, resulting in radial heat impingement on the body. The heat may burn through certain bodies used on C15 engines and result in a potential fire hazard.
A Caterpillar dealer will replace the combustion tube with a new tube when the part is available in July 2011. An estimated time of repair had not been established at press time.
For more information about this recall, contact Caterpillar Inc. at (800) 447-4986. Owner notification is expected to begin in late July 2011.
Entegra Coach has announced NHTSA recall 11V183000, which affects certain 2010 and 2011 model-year Aspire (series 40DRQ, 40SKT, 42DL, 42RB, and 42DLQ) Type A motorhomes built between May 20, 2009, and September 7, 2010. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 36.
On the affected motorhomes, there may be an improper electrical connection at the buss bar on the affected transfer switch. This improper connection could cause the transfer switch to overheat and melt, which could result in a fire, personal injury, or death.
An Entegra dealer will replace the affected transfer switch. The repair is expected to take approximately 2 hours. However, because of service scheduling times, the service department may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information, contact Entegra Coach at (800) 945-4787. Owner notification was expected to begin in April 2011.
Monaco RV LLC has announced NHTSA recall 11V105000, which affects 2011 model-year Riptide Type A motorhomes built between March 25, 2010, and November 5, 2010. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 52.
On the affected motorhomes, porous metal castings may cause the windshield wiper arm to crack at the point where the arm is mounted to the pivot shaft. The cracked wiper arm may cause the wiper to become disabled without warning and lead to reduced driver visibility. Decreased driver visibility may increase the risk of a crash that could result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
A Monaco RV dealer will replace both wiper arms. The repair is expected to take approximately 20 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service department may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information, contact Monaco RV LLC at (800) 685-6545. Owner notification began in March 2011.
Prevost has announced NHTSA recall 11V135000, which affects 2010 and 2011 model-year H3-45 coaches and 2011 model-year VIP-45 and X3-45 coaches built from October 2010 through February 16, 2011. The potential number of coaches involved is 48.
On the affected coaches, the welding on the fuel tank supports is insufficient and could break, allowing the support to touch the ground underneath the vehicle. This could create a fire risk, leading to property damage, personal injury, or death.
A Prevost service center will inspect and add a redesigned support on the fuel tank. The repair is expected to take approximately 90 minutes once the fuel tank is empty; it will take several hours if the tank is full at arrival. However, because of service scheduling times, the service department may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information, contact Prevost at (418) 883-2888. Owner notification was expected to begin in March 2011.
Thor Motor Coach has announced NHTSA recall 11V178000 (2011-117 for Transport Canada), which affects 2010 through 2012 model-year Chateau, Chateau Citation, Four Winds, Four Winds Siesta, Freedom Elite, and Majestic Type C motorhomes built on Ford E-350 and E-450 chassis between March 9, 2010, and March 9, 2011. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 1,241.
On the affected motorhomes, the wiring for the oxygen (O2) sensor that connects to the catalytic converter may not be properly secured. If not secured, the wiring can fall onto the exhaust, melt, and short out, causing a “check engine” light, and, in some instances, could cause the engine to shut down while driving. An engine shutdown when the vehicle is being operated could lead to a crash, resulting in property damage, personal injury, or death.
A Thor Motor Coach dealer will secure the O2 sensor to the installed clamp with an additional fastener. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service department may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information, contact Thor Motor Coach at (877) 500-1020. Owner notification was expected to begin in March 2011.
Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 11V156000, which affects 2011 model-year Itasca Ellipse and Winnebago Tour R42AD Type A motorhomes built from August 9, 2010, through January 21, 2011. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 25.
On the affected motorhomes, the LP hose connection can become damaged when the slideout room is operated. If the LP hose makes contact with the slideout ram, it could become disconnected. Should this happen, a leak would occur when the LP tank is opened. LP-gas has the potential to ignite, which could result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
A Winnebago Industries dealer will inspect the hose, relocate a pipe clamp, and add a second clamp to the hose to ensure that clearance is maintained during operation of the slideout. The repair is expected to take approximately 1 hour. However, because of service scheduling times, the service department may need the vehicle for a longer time period.
For more information, contact Winnebago Industries Inc. at (641) 585-6939. Owner notification was expected to begin in March 2011.