Damon CHALLENGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
41 owner complaints analyzed
18 distinct recall campaigns
16,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 41 complaints (9.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 19.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 7.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.4% |
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 | 4 |
| Equipment | 3 |
| Seats | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Structure | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
Visibility/Wiper: 4; Equipment: 3; Seats: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Structure: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 20 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1996: 1; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 6; 2003: 6; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 5; 2013: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 10381118 · 2011-02-08 (February 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DAMON CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE WHEEL SCREWS WERE TIGHTENED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES FOLLOWING REPAIRS AND WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10381118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 731864 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
LOST BRAKES AT LOW SPEED TWICE
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 731864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100332 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED . ONE MANIFOLD STUD BROKE OFF AT THE HEAD. WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO MELT DUE TO HOT EXHAUST. THIS IS A 454 CHEV. ENGINE. WE HAD TO INSERT METAL PLATE TO DEFLECT THE EXHAUST UNTIL WE COULD GET IT FIXED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR REPAIR ON THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND REPLACEMENT ON THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS WHEN DONE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171307 · 2006-10-19 (October 19, 2006)
I ATTEMPTED TO DO A NARRATIVE HERE BEFORE, BUT IT WAS TO LONG FOR YOUR WEB SITE TO ACCEPT. I HAVE THE NARRATIVE TYPED UP AND WILL CONTINUE HERE AND SEE AT THE END HOW I CAN GET THE NARRATIVE TO YOU BUY OTHER MEANS. *NM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SMELL OF THE COOLANT MADE THE CONSUMERS SICK. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED FROM LABORED BREATHING, COUGHING AND THEIR EYES WERE STINGING AND TEARING. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,984 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171307 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136118 · 2005-09-11 (September 11, 2005)
STALLING WHEN IT RAINS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AIR FILTER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT TIRE KICKS UP WATER IN THE AIR FILTER HOUSING SOAKING THE AIR FILTER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILTER IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. CARRYING EXTRA AIR FILTERS IS STARTING TO GET EXPENSIVE. RIGHT NOW I USE DUCK TAPE TO SEAL THE FILTER BOX. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136118 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10863529 · 2016-05-06 (May 6, 2016)
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS DURING A RAINSTORM. VERY DANGEROUS. THE MOTOR IS RUNNING SO HAS POWER BUT THE LINK TO THE ARMS IS STALLED OUT WITH DRIVE ARM JAMMED AGAINST THE MOUNTING BOLT. 28" ARMS ARE TOO LONG SO HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH 24" BLADES AS USED IN 2007. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WITH LINKAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND ASSEMBLY TO FAIL WITHIN 3 YEARS ON THE SAME MOTORHOME.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863529 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430042 · 2011-10-13 (October 13, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 DAMON CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A WARNING LIGHT BLINKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING ONE OF THE FOUR JACKS HAD RELEASED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT NONE OF THE JACKS WERE RELEASED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUSH THE JACK DOWN IT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE JACK HAD FRACTURED AND WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION HYDRAULIC FLUID. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED THE WIRES ON THE HOSE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10430042 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1996: 0; 1997: 2; 1998: 3; 1999: 3; 2000: 4; 2001: 5; 2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 2; 2012: 1