2008 Keystone MONTANA: complaints, problems and recalls

I HAVE A BRAND NEW MONTANA 332-PHT 5TH WHEEL RV CAMPER. YOU CAN'T OPEN THE EMERGENCY WINDOW BECAUSE THE LEVER HITS THE BACK OF THE SOFA. THE SOFA IS BOLTED DOWN AND CAN'T BE MOVED. I CONTACTED KEYSTONE, WHO MAKES THE MONTANA. THEY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE IT IS A CHILDS ROOM I SHOULD TEACH MY KIDS HOW TO LOWER THE SOFA TO GET OUT. TO EXPECT A YOUNG CHILD TO DO THIS IN A FIRE IS CRAZY. THERE ARE 3 BUNK BEDS IN THE SAME ROOM THAT MOST OF THE TIME THE KIDS SLEEP ON SO EVEN AT NIGHT THE SOFA WOULD BE COSED. TO FIX THIS ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS SHORTEN TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10205408 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE MONTANA FIFTH WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAS MISSION ST TIRES, TIRE SIZE 235/80/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 50-55 MPH HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW-OUT. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE DISPLAYED EXCESSIVE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD BELT WIRE WAS VISIBLE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE DRIVER WAS A ABLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIR…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10290288 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KEYSTONE MONTANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH. AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP ADVISED THE CONTACT TO UPGRADE TO A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRE. THE CONTACT THEN PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVEN DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO BUY REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM VARIOUS DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS. INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SIDEWALLS WERE BLOWING OUT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE SUSPENSI…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10456855 at NHTSA ↗

GEICO IS REFUSING COVERAGE ON AN INCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED DURING TRANSPORT (IN MOTION, HWY 1-15 NORTHBOUND, NORTH OF LAS VEGAS, NV) OF MY RV. GEICO IS ONLY ABLE TO DENY THE CLAIM DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE IF THE TRAILER/RV FAILS WHILE STORED OR NOT BEING USED. THE RV WAS BEING TRANSPORTED AT THE TIME OF THE LOSS AND WAS DEEMED ROAD-WORTHY BY A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT PRIOR TO THE LOSS. THE TIRE COULD HAVE FAILED DUE TO MANY UNKNOWN VARIABLES, ALL OF WHICH ARE COVERED UNDER MY POLICY. IF THE TIRE SIMPLY FAILED DURING TRANSPORT, THEY MIGHT NOT COVE…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11344159 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-07-21 (July 21, 2007)

ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL RECREATIONAL TRAILERS, EXCESS PAINT MAY CAUSE THE LUG NUTS TO LOSE TORQUE OVER TIME AND COULD ULTIMATELY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION IF THE TORQUE IS NOT MAINTAINED.

Consequence: WHEEL SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN POOR VEHICLE HANDLING INCREASING THE RISK OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE WHEELS, REMOVE THE PAINT FROM THE HUB FACE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACE AND THEN REINSTALL AND TORQUE THE WHEELS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KEYSTONE RV AT 1-866-425-4369.

Reported: 2010-11-17 (November 17, 2010)

KEYSTONE IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Consequence: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.

Remedy: KEYSTONE IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR KEYSTONE AT 866-425-4369.

Reported: 2015-09-04 (September 4, 2015)

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain model year 2008-2009 Big Sky, Challenger, Everest, Fuzion, Montana, and Raptor travel trailers and fifth wheels equipped with an IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch. These transfer switches, used in vehicles wired to be powered by a generator, may fail when exposed to elevated electrical loads and used in higher ambient temperatures.

Consequence: As the transfer switch fails, it may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Keystone will notify owners, and dealers will replace the IOTA ITS-50R transfer switch with a different brand transfer switch, free of charge. The recall began on October 8, 2015. Owners may contact Keystone customer service by calling 1-866-425-4369. Keystone's number for this recall is 15-234.

Reported: 2017-11-22 (November 22, 2017)

Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V755-5127.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-574-535-2100, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.