1998 Damon CHALLENGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
35,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Seats: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Suspension: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 4 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
2002: 3; 2004: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10100331 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
BOUGHT UNIT USED ,DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER HAS TO BE PUT ON TO GET THE HEAT OUT OF THE VENTS PRIOR TO USING THE VENTS. NONE OF THE DOOR ARE SWITCHING TO DIRECT THE AIR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10100331 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10100332 · 2004-11-22 (November 22, 2004)
BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED . ONE MANIFOLD STUD BROKE OFF AT THE HEAD. WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO MELT DUE TO HOT EXHAUST. THIS IS A 454 CHEV. ENGINE. WE HAD TO INSERT METAL PLATE TO DEFLECT THE EXHAUST UNTIL WE COULD GET IT FIXED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR REPAIR ON THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND REPLACEMENT ON THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS WHEN DONE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 566089 · 2002-06-17 (June 17, 2002)
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE DEFECTIVE. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 566089 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8010945 · 2002-06-03 (June 3, 2002)
SCREWS WERE RUSTING OUT ON LATTER LOCATED ON BACK OF TRAILER. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8010945 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8020420 · 2002-10-08 (October 8, 2002)
THE SPRINGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE MOTORHOME COLLASPED. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SIZE 16 CHASSIS IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CARRY A 3500 FOOT MOTORHOME. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. MR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8020420 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V130000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Reported: 2007-03-20 (March 20, 2007)
CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DAMON WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V213000 · Fuel System, Other:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 1998-09-04 (September 4, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A AND C MOTOR HOMES. THE HARDWARE USED TO SECURE THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) TANK WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THE LP TANK IS NOT SECURED, THE TANK COULD FALL TO THE GROUND WHILE THE MOTOR HOME IS BEING DRIVEN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTOR HOMES TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPER HARDWARE IS BEING USED AND THAT ALL NUTS ARE TIGHTENED PROPERLY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V202000 · Equipment:Electrical
Reported: 1999-07-23 (July 23, 1999)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A GENERATOR MUFFLER STRAP WAS OMITTED DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS.
Consequence: THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CAN VIBRATE LOOSE, POSSIBLY DETACHING FROM THE UNIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MUFFLER STRAP.
NHTSA campaign record ↗