American Coach AMERICAN TRADITION problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
17,664 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 to 2024 model years. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 2 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 16.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
| Wheels | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 1 |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 2; Wheels: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Power Train: 1; Structure:Body:Door: 1; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2018: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11118518 · 2018-08-08 (August 8, 2018)
SMART STEERING WHEEL ELECTRICAL FUNCTIONS FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE HORN, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND CRUISE CONTROL ARE AFFECTED. ANY ONE OF WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN THESE VERY LARGE VEHICLES. MYSELF AND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS BRAND AND GENERATION HAVE COMPLAINED ON AN ON-LINE OWNERS FORUM. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT THE WIRING TERMINAL CONNECTIONS TO THE SMART WHEEL CONTROLLER JUST STOP MAKING CONTACT DUE TO NON-ROBUST TERMINALS. SPARTAN CHASSIS TELLS THE CUSTOMER THAT IT'S A FAULTY MODULE, BUT A NEW MODULE IS AN EXPENSIVE AND VERY TEMPORARY…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11118518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11338176 · 2020-07-08 (July 8, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 AMERICAN TRADITION 45A RV N/A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A RAIN STORM, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CEASED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED, REDUCING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO UNABLE TO ADJUST THE BRAKE PEDAL OR STEERING WHEEL. RHODE ISLAND TRUCK CENTER LOCATED AT 1100 WARREN AVE EAST PROVIDENCE RI 02914 AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,328.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,328 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11541397 · 2023-08-29 (August 29, 2023)
.engine loss of power unable to accelerate .when fault codes and check engine light come on the motorhome has a loss of power and while on freeway becomes dangerous trying to maneuver through traffic to get to a safe place. if on a hill or getting on ramp on freeway it becomes dangerous when the engine and transmission do not respond . Freightliner had it 5 times and unable to fix problem unless i sign a release. it may or may not fix and may or may not cause further damage. i declined to sign
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11541397 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2013: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2021: 0; 2023: 2; 2024: 1