National Rv DOLPHIN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1978 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 36 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 33.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.8% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.8% |
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 | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 2; Tires:Sidewall: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 17 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 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 (17). 11 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns 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 10361733 · 2010-10-22 (October 22, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING AT MINIMUM CAPACITY AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177786 · 2007-01-04 (January 4, 2007)
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET DOLPHIN MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE, THE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO THE NEXT TOWN USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE REPAIR SHOP THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PER THE MECHANIC. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE 120 MILES HOME WITH NOT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A CHEVY DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE'S PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177786 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10105255 · 2004-12-23 (December 23, 2004)
THE MAIN HOSE LEADING FROM THE CAP TO THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING FUEL WHEN THE MOTOR HOME WAS GETTING FILLED UP. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK....THERE WERE CRACKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FUEL TANK. MECHANICS CLAIMED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE. MAY BE A MANUFACTURIING DEFECT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 14,487 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767057 · 2002-09-12 (September 12, 2002)
NOTICED FUEL RUNNING DOWN BOTH SIDES OF THE GAS TANK. TOOK IT TO HOLMEN MOTORS IN BATAVIA OHIO FOR REPAIR. THEY DROPPED THE GAS TANK AND REPLACED "DRY ROTTED" FUEL LINES. IT HAS NOT LEAKED TO DATE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 766338 · 2002-08-27 (August 27, 2002)
ENGINE STALLING ON 90 DEGREE PLUS DAYS ABOVE 400 FEET ALTITUDE WHEN PULLING AND GOING DOWN HILLS. ALSO STALLING IN TOWN WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM STOPS, BUT EVENTUALLY GETS GOING. I'M CONCERNED IT MIGHT STALL OUT GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS, OR RAILROAD CROSSING. THE DEALER CALLED WORKHORSE AND ROB SAID ADD 6 OZ OF 2 CYCLE OIL TO EACH GAS FILL UP TO PREVENT STALLING. IT WAS TOWED TO BURT CHEVROLET JULY 15, AND THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEM. IT USUALLY TAKES ABOUT A 100 MILE DRIVE BEFORE IT ACTS UP.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 766338 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 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 10153935 · 2006-03-28 (March 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO WARNING SOUNDS WHILE OPERATING THE POWER GEAR LIFT ALARM. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE THE WIRING TO THE CHIMES WAS NOTICED CUT. THE DEALER WAS CONSULTED AND DETERMINED THE CHIMES WARNING DEVICE WAS NOT NECESSARY. ALSO, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN LX. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10153935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 893030 · 2001-07-17 (July 17, 2001)
STEERING HOSE FLUID BLEWOUT, AND LOST ALL POWER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. SMOKE WAS ENTERING INSIDE CABIN ,AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WAS COMING FROM UNDER DASH. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 893030 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 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1996: 0; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 2; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2005: 0; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1