2018 Thor Motor Coach FREEDOM ELITE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
5,665 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 33.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System: 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 | 2 |
| 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: 2; 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 (2). 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 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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 11138780 · 2018-10-06 (October 6, 2018)
WHILE TRAVELING IN OUR NEW THOR MOTORHOME AT 60 MPH THE BEDROOM SLIDEOUT FULLY EXTENDED ITSELF. WE STOPPED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE TWO-LANE HIGHWAY AND RETRACTED THE SLIDE OUT WITH THE BEDROOM TOGGLE SWITCH AND THEN TURNED OFF POWER TO SLIDE OUT. STOPPED AT GAS STATION AND SLIDE OUT AGAIN EXTENDED ITSELF AND WOULD NOT RETRACT. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WHO ARRIVED AND DIAGNOSED A BAD SLIDE OUT TOGGLE SWITCH AND REMOVED THE SWITCH. NEXT GAS STOP, SLIDE OUT AGAIN EXTENDED ITSELF AND HIT GAS PUMP (PHOTO ATTACHED). OUR NEW MOTOR HOME WAS RETUR…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11138780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11206452 · 2019-05-09 (May 9, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 THOR FREEDOM ELITE 29 FE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SLIDER WAS OUT, THE GAS OR HEATER FAILED TO WORK. NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE GAS LINE. THE DEALER CAMPING WORLD OF NEW JERSEY (1359 RIVER AVE, LAKEWOOD, NJ 0870[phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED FOR A 2ND DIAGNOSIS TEST TO BE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,630 miles reported. Look up ODI 11206452 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416443 · 2021-05-13 (May 13, 2021)
IN DECEMBER 2020 WE HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A 2 WEEK TRIP WHEN I NOTICED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE UNDER THE MATTRESS OF THE REAR BED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I PULLED THE MATTRESS BACK AND THERE WAS A INCH GAP BETWEEN THE BACK EXTERIOR WALL AND THE BED FRAME. THE GAP WAS COMPLETELY THROUGH TO THE GROUND BELOW. SO WE TOOK THE UNIT THE THE LOCAL CAMPING WORLD FOR REPAIR (ASSUMING IT WOULD BE UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE PURCHASED) AND IT WAS FOUND THE THE UNIT WAS NEVER PROPERLY SECURED TO THE FRAME AND FASTENING POINTS. THE ENTIRE UNIT HAD SLID …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11416443 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.
17V522000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Lines And Fittings
Reported: 2017-08-24 (August 24, 2017)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Four Winds, Chateau and Freedom Elite recreational vehicles. The liquid propane (LP) hose may sag and become pinched between the frame and the leaf spring u-bolts, potentially damaging the hose and causing a propane leak.
Consequence: A propane fuel leak may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the LP hose routing and install additional P-clamps or relocate the P-clamps to properly secure the hose, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000144.
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 ↗18V741000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer:Lpg Systems:Lines And Fittings
Reported: 2018-10-19 (October 19, 2018)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thor Four Winds, Chateau, and Freedom Elite vehicles. The liquid propane (LP) hose may not have adequate space between the floor and the metal plate on the refrigerator, causing damage to the hose and possibly creating a propane leak.
Consequence: A propane leak can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will remove a portion of the refrigerator base plate to provide additional clearance for the LP hose, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000162.
NHTSA campaign record ↗