2001 Holiday Rambler AMBASSADOR: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE WARMS UP. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKES START SMOKING AND CONSUMER CAN SMELL RUBBER BURNING. CONSUMER STATES ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME VERY STIFF WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. TOOK TO DELAER AND THEY REPLACED FRONT WHEEL AND AXLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001693 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 02V278000 CONCERNING ABS BRAKE FAILURE. 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. DEALER HAS REPLACED ROTORS, CALIPER AND THE ABS SENSOR LEFT FRONT AND STILL RECURRING THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR LIVING EXPENSES. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061569 at NHTSA ↗

EXITING EISENHOWER TUNNEL WEST BOUND ON I-70, SPEED INCREASED TO THE POINT THAT PAC-BRAKE CAUSED ENGINE SPEED TO APPROACH GOVERNED LIMIT, HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES (ABOUT 4-5 SECONDS) TO SLOW TO LESS THAN GOVERNED SPEED APPARENTLY CAUSED EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILD UP IN LEFT REAR BRAKE SYSTEM CAUSING ABS SENSOR TO FALL OUT OF BACKING PLATE AND ABS WARNING LIGHT TO BE DISPLAYED ON DASHBOARD. THIS TENDED TO CAUSE ERRATIC BRAKE OPERATION WITH A GREAT DEAL OF BRAKE NOISE. THE UNIT IS PRESENTLY (6/16/2004) AT TULSA SPRING BEING REPAIRED AND I WILL REQU…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078327 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND A FIRE STARTED. A NHTSA RECALL, # 02V278000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES; FOUNDATION COMPONENTS HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.

Owner-reported narrative. 15,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163322 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE ODOR OF SOMETHING BURNING WAS PRESENT. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, ELECTRICAL WIRES AROUND THE BRAKES AND REAR WHEELS WERE MELTED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER WAS ALERTED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO ALERTED. THE MOTOR HOME WAS A 2001 HOLIDAY RAMBLER AMBASSADOR.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168045 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON CLEAR DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, AND THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKES HAD OVERHEATED, AND BURNED OUT THE ABS SENSOR. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO LET THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN, BEFORE CONTINUING TO DRIVE. THE ABS SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED 4 MONTHS LATER WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED A THIRD TIME A COUPLE MONTHS LATER. ON 08/…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10173480 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 HOLIDAY RAMBLER AMBASSADOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR ABS ENGAGED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE SENSORS TO OVERHEAT AND MELT. HE ALSO SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CALIPERS CAUSED THE FAILURE. RECALL NUMBER 02V278000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS) WAS REFERENCED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT CALIPERS, HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE REAR ONES. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,…

Owner-reported narrative. 25,844 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197852 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MONACO HOLIDAY RAMBLER AMBASSADOR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED FAILURES WITH EITHER THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL OR THE REAR WHEELS. THE WHEELS WOULD EXUDE A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL, SMOKE, SHIMMY, SHAKE, BURN, FREEZE, AND LOCK UP. ON ONE OCCASION, BOTH FRONT WHEELS BURNED SO BADLY THAT THE ABS ATTACHED TO THE CALIPERS MELTED AND FELL FROM THE WHEEL. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE AROUND AND SEE IF THE CALIPERS WOULD BECOME UNSTUCK. THE FRONT AXLE AND ALL OF TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210994 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-10-13 (October 13, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH ALLISON 1000 OR 2400 SERIES TRANSMISSIONS. THESE TRANSMISSIONS CAN EXPERIENCE PARK PAWL TO REAR COVER INTERFERENCE DUE TO AN OUT OF FLATNESS CONDITION.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE NON-ENGAGEMENT OF THE PARK PAWL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT SELECTOR IS MOVED TO THE PARK POSITION, RESULTING IN UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: ALLISON TRANSMISSION IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE VEHICLE, REPLACE THE PARK PAWL, AND REINSTALL THE TRANSMISSION IN THE VEHICLE. 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 ALLISON AT 1-800-252-5283 OR MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Reported: 2001-04-30 (April 30, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP BELTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY. AM-SAFE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION. 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 AM-SAFE AT 219-266-8330 OR MONACO AT 219-862-7211.

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

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A UNIT IS AFFECTED IF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS FULLY COMPRESSED OR IS TOO SHORT TO MEET MAXIMUM EXTENSION SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 13, 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: 2002-10-22 (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: 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL IS INCORRECT. THE INITIAL LABEL SHOWS TIRE SIZE AS 255/75R 22.5H WITH THE CORRECT TIRE SIZE BEING 255/70R 22.5H.

Consequence: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CORRECTED LABEL ON THESE MOTOR HOMES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-877-466-8226.

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.