2003 Coachmen RENDEZVOUS: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Consequence: IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 24, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-219-825-5821.

Reported: 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES. THE FRAME EXTRUSION AT THE BASE OF THE KITCHEN SLIDE ROOM, THAT SERVES TO MAINTAIN THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE SLIDE ROOM, MAY BECOME LOOSE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE LOCKING MECHANISM IS RENDERED INEFFECTIVE AND THE SLIDE ROOM CAN OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL LONGER SELF-TAPPING SCREWS TO ENSURE THE EXTRUSION IS SECURED TO THE STEEL FRAMING. IN ADDITION, "TRAVEL LOCKS" THAT, WHILE IN PLACE, PREVENT THE SLIDE ROOM FROM MOVING OUT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE SUPPLIED WITH ALL UNITS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-219-825-5821.

Reported: 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)

ON MOTOR HOME CHASSIS BUILT BY WORKHORSE AND EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH BRAKES, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.

Consequence: A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE CALIPER. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR COACHMEN AT 219-825-5821.

Reported: 2005-03-11 (March 11, 2005)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS, FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD (FMVSS) NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAY" AND STANDARD NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." MODELS WITH ACTIA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE INCORRECT SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE CLUSTER SUCH THAT CERTAIN WARNINGS ARE NOT DISPLAYED.

Consequence: INCORRECT SOFTWARE MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO ILLUMINATE WARNING LAMPS INDICATING BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURES. THE STANDARDS REQUIRE DRIVER WARNING WHEN BRAKE FAILURE CODES ARE SET.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR COACHMEN AT 574-825-5821.

Reported: 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)

COACHMEN IS RECALLING 2,555 MY 2000-2009 GEORGIE BOY AND COACHMEN RECREATIONAL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR COACHMEN AT 1-574-266-4030, option 5.