2003 National Rv DOLPHIN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
9,037 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 55.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 11.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Air: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 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 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (7). 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 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 10022797 · 2003-06-10 (June 10, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NINE WEEKS OLD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A FLAMMABLE FLUID. THERE WAS A LIQUID TRAIL ABOUT ONE FOOT WIDE AND 100 YARDS LONG ON THE ROAD WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MOTORHOME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NARROWED DOWN TO EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE BRAKE LINE. *SCC *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 3,073 miles reported. Look up ODI 10022797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053377 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034248 · 2003-09-23 (September 23, 2003)
THE PCM/TCM FUSE BLEW WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUSE 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK INCIDENT WAS TRACED TO A CHAFFED WIRE ON A METAL CLAMP WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 587 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034248 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10180831 · 2007-01-26 (January 26, 2007)
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE ON THE 2003 DOLPHIN LX MOTOR HOME STARTED LEAKING GAS ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT HAS THE FUEL TANK AND THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE FUEL TANK WITH THE CRACKS IN IT. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10180831 at NHTSA ↗