2012 Thor Motor Coach TUSCANY: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2011-08-19 (August 19, 2011)

THOR MOTOR COACH (TMC) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 DAMON TUSCANY, ASTORIA, AND ESSENCE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 TMC TUSCANY AND ASTORIA RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 7, 2009, THROUGH AUGUST 12, 2011. THE CIRCUIT BREAKER FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS INSUFFICIENT FOR THE LOAD. THE BREAKER SHOULD HAVE A 15 AMP RATING, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITH ONE RATED AT 10 AMPS.

Consequence: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL STOP OPERATING IF THE BREAKER TRIPS DUE TO A CIRCUIT OVERLOAD. IF THIS OCCURS, THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION MAY BE REDUCED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: TMC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL EXCHANGE THE BREAKER WITH A 15-AMP ONE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TMC WARRANTY/SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-877-855-2867.

Reported: 2011-10-19 (October 19, 2011)

THOR MOTOR COACH (TMC) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 TUSCANY, ASTORIA, AND AVANTI RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 21, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 16, 2011, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: TMC IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000.

Reported: 2012-12-11 (December 11, 2012)

Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011 through 2013 Tuscany, Astoria, Ultrasport, Montecito, and Palazzo recreational vehicles manufactured from May 17, 2010, through October 30, 2012, built on Freightliner brand XB and XC custom chassis. The vehicles are equipped with diode jumpers that may come loose in their connectors resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use.

Consequence: Failure of the cruise control to disengage when the brakes are applied may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Without the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are applied, the driver's intent is not communicated, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Daimler Trucks (DTNA) will notify owners on behalf of Thor, and Freightliner dealers will inspect the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall is expected to begin January 28, 2013. Owners should contact DTNA Warranty Campaigns Department at (800) 547-0712, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time Monday through Friday, e-mail address DTNA.Warranty.Campaigns@Daimler.com, or the Customer Assistance Center at (800) FTL-HELP after normal business hours.

Reported: 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)

Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

Consequence: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.

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.

Reported: 2018-05-02 (May 2, 2018)

Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Thor Tuscany and Venetian motorhomes, built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) chassis. The power steering hose on the affected vehicles may be routed incorrectly, and, as a result, the hose may rub against the power stud on the starter motor, possibly causing electrical arcing and a power steering fluid leak.

Consequence: Electrical arcing in the presence of leaking power steering fluid can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: FCCC has notified owners, and FCCC dealers will reroute the power steering hose to provide proper clearance, free of charge. The recall began on May 1, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867 or FCCC customer service at 1-800-547-0712. TMC's number for this recall is RC000153.