2005 Thor California VORTEX: complaints, problems and recalls

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 THOR CALIFORNIA VORTEX. THE GREENBALL CORP TRANSMASTER ST235 80R16 TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE OUT OF THE FIVE TIRES HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 3,000 MILES AND THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURES OCCURRED AT 5,000-6,000 MILES. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS THE FIRST TO FAIL IN JUNE OF 2006, FOLLOWED BY THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRES. THE CONTACT STILL HAS ONE OF THE DAMAGED TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 6,000 AND FAILURE MI…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195717 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-06-13 (June 13, 2006)

ON CERTAIN TRAVEL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SUBURBAN AND ATWOOD FURNACES, THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT WILL ALLOW LEAKAGE OF FUMES WHICH CONTAIN COMBUSTION PRODUCTS, INCLUDING A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF POTENTIALLY LETHAL CARBON MONOXIDE GAS.

Consequence: FUMES COULD ENTER INTO THE TRAILER AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON INSPECTING THE FURNACE VENT. IF AN OWNER BELIEVES THE VENT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, IS NOT SURE HOW TO INSPECT THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT, OR NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT INSTALLATION INSPECTED AND CORRECTED, OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR IMMEDIATELY AT 1-877-870-2638 OR VIA THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.THORCA.COM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2006.

Reported: 2006-12-04 (December 4, 2006)

ON CERTAIN CARGO/TRAVEL TRAILERS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF OVERLOADING IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. TOO MUCH WEIGHT INCORRECTLY POSITIONED IN THIS AREA CAN RESULT IN A LIGHT HITCH WEIGHT AND AFFECT STABILITY.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC TOW VEHICLE AND ITS HITCH EQUIPMENT, A SUFFICIENTLY LIGHT HITCH WEIGHT CAN RESULT IN SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE ASKED TO INSPECT THEIR TRAILER, TOW VEHICLE, AND HITCH EQUIPMENT AND TO FOLLOW PROPER LOADING PROCEDURES AS EXPLAINED IN THE OWNER'S GUIDE SUPPLEMENT WHICH WILL BE PROVIDED WITH THE OWNER LETTER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR AT 1-888-697-8467. NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 04V242).

Reported: 2006-12-04 (December 4, 2006)

ON CERTAIN CARGO/TRAVEL TRAILERS, OVERLOADING AND INCORRECTLY POSITIONING CARGO IN THE REAR CARGO AREA CAN RESULT IN ALIGHT HITCH WEIGHT AND AFFECT STABILITY.

Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC TOW VEHICLE AND ITS HITCH EQUIPMENT, A SUFFICIENTLY LIGHT HITCH WEIGHT CAN RESULT IN SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOO MUCH WEIGHT INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CAN ALSO RESULT IN SEVERE BENDING OF THE A-FRAME ASSEMBLY, FAILURE OF THE COUPLER ASSEMBLY, AND/OR FAILURE OF THE SAFETY CHAINS. THIS CAN CAUSE A CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER, TOW VEHICLE AND HITCH EQUIPMENT; INSTALL NEW CARGO LOAD LIMIT LABELS AND PLACARDS IN THE CARGO AREA; FURNISH LOADING LIMIT INFORMATION; REPLACE THE COUPLER AND SAFETY CHAINS; AND REINFORCE THE A-FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR AT 1-888-697-8467. NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 04V243).

Reported: 2007-06-27 (June 27, 2007)

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS, THE LOCK OF THE SIDE RAMP DOOR MAY NOT BE PROPERLY LATCHED BY THE CONSUMER, COULD FAIL TO LOCK PROPERLY, OR THE ATTACHING HARDWARE COULD COME LOOSE.

Consequence: ANY OF THESE POSSIBILITIES COULD RESULT IN THE DOOR OPENING UPWARDS WHILE IN TRANSIT. THE OPENING OF THIS RAMP DOOR COULD IMPACT NEARBY PERSONS OR OBJECTS RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY OR VEHICLE AND PROPERLY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE SET SCREW AND INSTALL A SECONDARY LATCH MECHANISM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 23, 2007. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR CALIFORNIA AT 888-697-8467.