Itasca MERIDIAN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
23,470 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2018 model years. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 11 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 27.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control/Valve | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
Structure:Body: 3; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Controls:Foot Control/Valve: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Supply:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 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 (5). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 3; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10270003 · 2009-05-26 (May 26, 2009)
ON OUR RETURN FROM FLORIDA WE SMELLED THE BRAKES BURNING. IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS DRAGGING IN THE REAR. THE BRAKE PEDALS FELT SPONGY AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. WE WENT TO A BRAKE SHOP IN OCALA. THEY TOLD US IT WAS THE ABS SENSORS.THEY REPLACED THE PADS, CALIPERS, SEALS AND SENSORS. OUR BILL WAS $1432.41. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,173 miles reported. Look up ODI 10270003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10219354 · 2008-02-27 (February 27, 2008)
THE 2 REAR AIR BRAKE HOSES TO THE AIR CANISTERS ON A 2004 FREIGHTLINER RV CHASSIS HAVE RUBBED TOGETHER ENOUGH TO MAKE A PIN HOLE LEAK IN ONE OF THEM AND A PARTIAL WEAR-THROUGH IN THE OTHER. WITH A WARNING FROM OTHER USERS ON AN RV FORUM, A PHYSICAL INSPECTION CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED AND POSSIBLE PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS OF LIFE COULD OCCUR. BOTH OF THESE HOSES MUST BE REPLACED AND THE HOSES MUST BE RE-ROUTED TO KEEP THIS FROM RECURRING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 28,767 miles reported. Look up ODI 10219354 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472162 · 2012-08-18 (August 18, 2012)
AT 1:20 PM A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THE MAIN ELECTRICAL BOX. A NEIGHBOR IN THE RV PARK SAW SMOKE, CALLED 911 AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH AN EXTINGUISHER. THE TOXIC SMOKE FROM THE INSULATION WENT INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE RV THROUGH THE BEDROOM FLOOR, KILLING OUR DOG AND COMPLETELY COATING EVERYTHING IN THE RV WITH BLACK, SMELLY SOOT, EVEN INSIDE CLOSED DRAWERS AND CLOSETS. THE FIRE MARSHALS REPORT FOUND THAT A WIRE (APPROX 10 GA) SHORTED AGAINST A METAL CORNER CAUSING HEAT WHICH SET THE INSULATION OF A LARGE WIRE BUNDLE ON FIRE. NO EVID…
Owner-reported narrative. 52,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159133 · 2006-06-06 (June 6, 2006)
I HAVE DISCOVERED A SEVERED WIRE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS ON WHICH OUR 2006 ITASCA MERIDIAN MOTORCOACH IS BUILT. PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE SHOWING THE BROKEN WIRE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY UNDER THE FLOOR. APPARENTLY THE GREASE FITTING ON THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS THE MECHANISM THAT SNAGGED THE WIRE. THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY AND THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT ARE IN "VERY" CLOSE PROXIMITY AND THERE IS NO SHIELDING OR PROTECTION FOR THE WIRING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. FREIGHTLINER CUSTOM CHASSIS CUSTOMER SUPP…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,508 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10535951 · 2013-08-18 (August 18, 2013)
MY ITASCA SPIRIT HAS HAD THREE(3) BLOW-OUTS IN THE SAME LOCATION, THE BACK INSIDE PASSENGER TIRE. ONE CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE. FINALLY, A COMPANY FOUND THAT THE BRACKET HOLDING THE AIR BAG COMPRESSOR ONLY HAD ONE BOLT HOLDING IT UP INSTEAD OF FOUR. AS A RESULT THE HANGING BRACKET WAS SCRAPING THE TIRE. IN 2010 THERE AS A LOT OF DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR IN THE BEDROOM AND SHOWER STALL THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED PLUS THE WHOLE LEFT OUTER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A LOT OF OUT OF POCKET MONEY WAS SPENT ON TIRES AND REPAIRS. A PICTURE OF THE LAST BLOW OUT IS AVA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10535951 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 5; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 1