2002 Holiday Rambler ADMIRAL: complaints, problems and recalls

I WAS GOING TO FILL THE PROPANE TANK ON MY 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ADMIRAL (MOTORHOME) WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE PROPANE CYLINDER TO THE MOTORHOME FRACTURED IN TWO PLACES. THE FRACTURES OCCUR AT THE BOLTING POINTS WHERE THE PROPANE CYLINDER ATTACHES TO THE ANGLE IRON MOUNTING BRACKETS. THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE ANGLE IRON AT THE FORWARD INBOARD AND REAR OUTBOARD LOCATIONS. HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HAD ONE MORE FAILURE THE PROPANE CYLINDER WOULD HAVE BEEN DRAGGING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I CALLED HOLIDAY…

Owner-reported narrative. 21,722 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202161 at NHTSA ↗

I PURCHASED A 2002 ADMIRAL MOTOR HOME, ON A FORD CHASSIS NEW IN AUGUST OF 2003 FROM PAW PAW'S CAMPER CITY IN PICAYUNE, MS. WHEN I WAS CHANGING THE EXHAUST PIPE TALE END PIECE, I DISCOVERED A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. WHILE UNDER THE MOTOR HOME I LOOKED UP, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT BOLT ON THE REAR LEFT LEAF SPRING WAS STICKING OUT ABOUT ONE AND HALF INCHES LOOKING AT IT FROM THE FENDER WELL, AND THEY HAD NO NUT ON THE BOLT THAT HOLES THE LEAF SPRING IN PLACE. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ASSISTANCE CENTER, AND TALKED WITH A FORD CUSTOM…

Owner-reported narrative. 27,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248867 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ADMIRAL. WHENEVER THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS WERE VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH IN ANY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT BOTH WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A GAS BUILD UP BETWEEN THE WINDOW PANE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40000.

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298590 at NHTSA ↗

TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD NOT PERMIT VEHICLE TO MOVE. VEHICLE WAS GOING 20MPH AND 30 YARDS INTO TRAFFIC FLOW AND IT STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THEN STOPPED MOVING. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED BY ALLISON 1000 COMPANY THAT MANUFACTURERED THEM. RV WAS A HOLIDAY RAMBLER 2002 WITH A 2001 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. *AK *YH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8008610 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2001-08-15 (August 15, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS. SPECIFIC FLOOR PLANS AT ISSUE ARE 30D, 30PBD, 32PBD, 36DPD, 36PBD, 36WDD, AND 37WDD. THE SUPPLY AND RETURN LINE CARRYING GASOLINE TO AND FROM THE ENGINE, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND/OR SECURED ON YOUR WORKHORSE GASOLINE CHASSIS.

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINE COULD BECOME DAMAGE, AND INTRODUCE THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINE ROUTING, INSTALL ADDITIONAL MEANS OF SECURING THE FUEL LINE, IF REQUIRED, AND/OR REPLACE THE LINE IF DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 5, 2001. 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 MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Reported: 2002-09-09 (September 9, 2002)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM HAS A POTENTIAL TO WEAKEN CAUSING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FEATURES TO BECOME MISALIGNED. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1999 - 2003 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED ON F53 20,500 POUND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), FORD CHASSIS, AND 2000-2003 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED ON W-22 22,000 POUND GVWR, WORKHORSE CHASSIS.

Consequence: CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN THE BOTTOMING OUT THE SUSPENSION AND AMPLIFICATION OF THE STRESS PLACED ON THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK. THE ADDITIONAL STRESS CAN RESULT IN THE FRACTURE OF WELDS SECURING THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SYSTEM TO THE CHASSIS FRAME RAIL AND/OR FRACTURE OF THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THERE COULD BE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING AND/OR FUEL LINES WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM, REINFORCE THE EXISTING STRUCTURE, AND REPAIR, AS NEEDED, THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 5, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Reported: 2002-10-22 (October 22, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BEARINGS, RACES, SPINDLES, KNUCKLES, SEALS, HUBS, ROTORS, PATCH BOLTS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FOR CORROSION AND REPLACE OR REBUILD THE CALIPERS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Reported: 2003-03-05 (March 5, 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 MAY 7, 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 MONACO COACH AT 1-877-477-6226.

Reported: 2007-01-16 (January 16, 2007)

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR H0MES BUILT WITH GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FRAME EXTENSION LOWER FLANGE MAY CRACK ALLOWING THE HITCH TO BEND AND POSSIBLY SEPARATE FROM THE MOTOR HOME.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE TOWED VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITION OF TWO PIECES OF ANGLE STEEL TO THE FRAME EXTENSION AND HITCH MOUNTING POINT IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE FRAME EXTENSION FLANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 877-466-6226. NOTE: THE ENDING MANUFACTURING DATE FOR INDIANA BUILT MOTOR HOMES IS MARCH 8, 2002 WHILE THE OREGON BUILT MOTOR HOMES WERE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2002. THE FEDERAL ID LABEL LOCATED ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT SPECIFIES IN WHICH STATE THE MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT.

Reported: 2008-06-05 (June 5, 2008)

MONACO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

Consequence: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy: MONACO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.