2005 Coachmen SANTARA: complaints, problems and recalls

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: 2005-03-17 (March 17, 2005)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, THE REAR HITCH ATTACHMENT BRACKETS THAT CONNECT THE HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE CHASSIS FRAME MAY CRACK AT THE 90 DEGREE BEND.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, A COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE HITCH ASSEMBLY FROM THE CHASSIS COULD OCCUR, RESULTING IN A CRASH DUE TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE TOWED VEHICLE OR TRAILER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE HITCH ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-800-453-6064.

Reported: 2006-09-13 (September 13, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773 OR COACHMAN AT 219-825-8528.

Reported: 2008-12-04 (December 4, 2008)

COACHMEN IS RECALLING 13,662 MY 2002-2008 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH GLASS SHOWER DOORS AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2001 THORUGH AUGUST 6, 2007. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE TOWEL BAR ON THE GLASS SHOWER DOOR, THE EDGE OF THE BAR MAY CONTACT THE GLASS.

Consequence: GLASS BREAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THE TOWEL BAR AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER IS NOT COMFORTABLE REPLACING THE HARDWARE THEMSELVES, A DEALER WILL INSTALL THE HARDWARE AT NO COST TO THEM. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-574-825-5821.

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.

Reported: 2011-01-31 (January 31, 2011)

COACHMEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 CHAPARRAL, MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 SOMERSET, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 WYOMING, MODEL YEAR 2004-2005 SANTARA, AND MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 SPORTSCOACH ELITE MOTOR HOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 2003, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2007. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH DIMPLEX ELECTRAFLAME, SYMPHONY, OR OPTIFLAME BRANDED ELECTRIC FIREPLACES, STOVES, AND FIREPLACE INSERTS. THE PLUG IN REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER FOR THE FIREPLACE CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED RECEIVER COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: COACHMEN IS WORKING WITH DIMPLEX TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. DIMPLEX WILL PROVIDE OWNERS A FREE REPLACEMENT PLUG-IN REMOTE CONTROL KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DIMPLEX NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-888-346-7539 OR COACHMEN MOTOR WORKS CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-953-5555.