2018 Thor Motor Coach ACE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
5 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
1,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 5 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 20.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 20.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 1 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Engine: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Steering: 1; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 1; Visibility/Wiper: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2024: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11091394 · 2018-05-02 (May 2, 2018)
UNDERRATED CIRCUIT BREAKER, 15 AMP VICE 20 AMP, RATING FOR REAR AIR CONDITIONER. FORWARD AIR CONDITIONER, SAME MODEL AND SIZE, HAS CORRECT 20 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. OVERRATED FUSE D8, 20 AMP VICE 15 AMP, ON CEILING LIGHTS. THIS WAS FOUND WHILE STATIONARY TROUBLESHOOTING A WATER LEAK. I DECIDED TO SEE WHAT SPARE FUSES I MAY NEED AND I NOTED THESE DISCREPANCIES.
Owner-reported narrative. 161 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091394 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11112225 · 2018-07-18 (July 18, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 THOR ACE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE, THE AUXILIARY BATTERY OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. UPON OPENING THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED ACID EMERGING FROM THE AUXILIARY BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF ALBUQUERQUE (14303 CENTRAL AVE NW, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 8712[phone removed]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZER FOR THE FRONT AND REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE AUXILIARY BATTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11205894 · 2019-05-06 (May 6, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 THOR ACE MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD FLUID SPRAYER DID NOT SPRAY THE FLUID HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSED A BUILD-UP OF DEBRIS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF BAKERSFIELD [phone removed], LOCATED AT 5500 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313) WHERE THE LINES WERE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE NOT CLOGGED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO CHANGED THE WIPER BLADES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN TOOK A PICTURE OF THE POSITION OF THE SPRAYER AND…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11205894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11580221 · 2024-03-30 (March 30, 2024)
Transmission down shifts excessively on downhill grades
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11580221 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585360 · 2024-04-26 (April 26, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Thor Ace RV. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly veered to the right and the driver was no longer able to properly steer the vehicle. A mobile mechanic was called to the location and diagnosed that the front passenger’s side wheel bearing had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic stated that the wheel bearing failure was due to insufficient lubrication within the wheel bearing. The front passenger’s side wheel bearing and spindle were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The veh…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11585360 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V692000 · Exterior Lighting
Reported: 2017-11-02 (November 2, 2017)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Ace, Axis, Hurricane, Windsport, and Vegas motorhomes. The wiring for the trailer lights may have been inserted into the wrong locations of the trailer lighting socket causing the trailer lights to not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: If the trailer lights do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Thor has notified owners and dealers will re-wire a new connector, free of charge. The recall began on November 21, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000148.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V758000 · Equipment
Reported: 2017-11-22 (November 22, 2017)
Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.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: Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V498000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Lines And Fittings
Reported: 2018-07-30 (July 30, 2018)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Thor Ace 27.2 recreational vehicles. The rubber liquid propane (LP) hose may sag and contact the tire in the wheel well.
Consequence: Contact with the tire may cause the LP hose to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rubber LP hose and replace it as necessary. Dealers will install additional p-clamps or relocate the existing p-clamps to properly secure the hose, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000158.
NHTSA campaign record ↗