2008 Damon CHALLENGER: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DAMON CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE TV, WHICH WAS POSITIONED ON THE CEILING ABOVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE FORWARD. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE MOUNTING SCREWS WERE OUT OF PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND HE REPLACED THE MOUNTING SCREWS. AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 200 MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HE ADDED A LARGER SET OF SCREWS TO MOUNT THE TV IN PLACE. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEPS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WERE SEVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362494 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS DURING A RAINSTORM. VERY DANGEROUS. THE MOTOR IS RUNNING SO HAS POWER BUT THE LINK TO THE ARMS IS STALLED OUT WITH DRIVE ARM JAMMED AGAINST THE MOUNTING BOLT. 28" ARMS ARE TOO LONG SO HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH 24" BLADES AS USED IN 2007. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WITH LINKAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND ASSEMBLY TO FAIL WITHIN 3 YEARS ON THE SAME MOTORHOME.

Owner-reported narrative. 35,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 10863529 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DAMON CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V745000 (EQUIPMENT) SEVERAL YEARS AGO HOWEVER, HE DID NOT CONTACT A DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED RECENTLY THE RETRACTABLE STEPS FAILED TO COMPLETELY RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO BEND THE HANDRAILS IN ORDER FOR THE STEPS TO RETRACT. THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406438 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2009-06-16 (June 16, 2009)

DAMON IS RECALLING 2,415 MOTORHOMES 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.

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 AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.

Reported: 2010-09-09 (September 9, 2010)

DAMON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 CHALLENGER, MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 INTRUDER MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING AND THE VEHICLE LIQUID PROPANE FUEL TANK. AS THE SUSPENSION TRAVELS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE BOLT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TANK. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD PUNCTURE THE TANK AND RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DAMON WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE SHACKLE BOLT AND THE TANK EXISTS. IF IT IS FOUND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE, THE TANK WILL BE RELOCATED TO PROVIDE THE PROPER CLEARANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAMON WARRANTY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 877-855-2867.

Reported: 2011-01-25 (January 25, 2011)

THOR MOTOR COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 DAMON CHALLENGER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 CHALLENGER PLATINUM, MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 DAYBREAK, MODEL YEAR 2010 DAYBREAK CLASSIC, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DAYBREAK SPORT, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009, OUTLAW AND MODEL YEAR 2011 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2007, THROUGH AUGUST 2008. THE FUEL-FILL CAP ASSEMBLIES USED TO SEAL THE UNUSED SIDE OF THE DUAL-FILL GASOLINE FUEL TANK WERE PRODUCED WITH A HOSE MATERIAL THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. DURING NORMAL USAGE THE HOSE MATERIAL MAY DETERIORATE WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS.

Consequence: A FUEL LEAK INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE WHICH MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE'S DEFECT REPORT 10V-348. NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FUEL-FILL CAP ASSEMBLIES WITH ONES ASSEMBLED WITH HOSE MATERIAL THAT MEETS DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-260-461-1890.

Reported: 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)

Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

Consequence: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.