2001 Monaco Coach LAPALMA: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020034 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V237000. THEIR IS NO DEALER AVAILABLE FOR REMEDY WITHIN 100 MILES. MANUFACTURER FIRST ADVISED CONSUMER NOT TO DRIVE COACH OVER 100 MILES OR THEY WOULD NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES. WHEN THE CONSUMER ADVISED THAT CLOSET DEALER WAS OVER 100 MILES AWAY, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO DRIVE CAREFULLY OR GO TO A DEALER OVER 200 MILES AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ASSIST WITH ANY ALTERNATIVE TO REMEDY. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020148 at NHTSA ↗

LTR FWD FM FMCSA LTR RE THEIR DEFECTIVE 2001 LAPLAMA MOTORHOME, THE RV SWAYS WHEN DRIVEN DUE TO BEING OVERWEIGHT EVEN WHEN IT'S EMPTY. *PH THE FORD DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER, IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE SWAY, AIR BAGS WOULD NEED TO BE PLACED ON ALL FOUR SHOCKS AND MORE POUNDS COULD BE CARRIED WITHOUT BEING OVERLOADED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059889 at NHTSA ↗

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT BOLT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT BRACKET WHERE THE LEAF SPRING WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE CONSUMER'S SON TIGHTENED THE BOLT. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CALLED, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO BE TAKEN TO A TRUCK SERVICE CENTER, REFERRED BY MONACO. THE CONSUMER WAS PUTTING PLASTIC SQUARES UNDER THE MOTOR HOME TO LEVEL IT, AND HIS SON NOTICED THAT THE BOLT WAS LOOSE. *AK *SC

Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130609 at NHTSA ↗

DT: THE CALLER SAID THAT WHEN TAKING THE PROPANE TANK TO GET THE FILLED THE CALLER NOTICED THAT THE TANK WAS LOOSE. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE BRACKETS THAT HOLDS THE TANK WAS BROKEN IN TWO AND THAT THE OTHER BRACKET WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS AND THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. *MR UPDATE 12/7/2005. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT HASN'T REPLIED TO THE CONSUMER'S REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135533 at NHTSA ↗

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 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.