2016 Thor Motor OUTLAW: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
2,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 6 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 1 |
Visibility/Wiper: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages: 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 | 6 |
| 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: 6; 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 (6). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking 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 10897410 · 2016-08-21 (August 21, 2016)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS HIT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD BY THE UPPER SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY AND NUT CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT CONSTRUCTION BARRELS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD MY WIFE TAKE A PICTURE OF THE NUT THAT CAME OFF. I ALSO HAD MY PASSENGER CHECK THE SEAT BELT UPPER ATTACHMENT ON HIS SIDE AND THE NUT WAS NOT SECURE JUST ON BY A FEW THREADS. HAD TO PULL OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND SECURE THE NUTS WITH THE TOOLS THAT I HAD WITH ME.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10897410 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949141 · 2017-02-02 (February 2, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR OUTLAW 37RB RV. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SLIDE OPENED. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE SLIDE TO HIT VEHICLES IN ANOTHER LANE. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE MOTORS FOR THE SLIDES AND ADJUSTED THE SLIDE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BECAUSE THE WIPER FAILURE RECURRED, THE WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE DEFROSTER DID NOT DEFROST THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10984128 · 2017-05-05 (May 5, 2017)
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTER DESCRIBING WIPER FUNCTIONS AND DAMAGE DONE TO MY RV AS A RESULT. ..UPDATED 05/15/17 *BF *AS *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 130 miles reported. Look up ODI 10984128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005010 · 2017-07-13 (July 13, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR OUTLAW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR RV EGRESS WINDOW DEATCHED FROM THE RV WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 60 MPH. THIS IS LOCATED IN THE BUNK AREA ABOVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENERAL RV WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED AND DID NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTACT'S CONCERNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500. WHEN THE EGRESS WINDOW DETACHED THE 2ND TIME, THE CAR BEHIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064177 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-53 MOTORHOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MOTOR COACH HEADQUARTERS (701 COUNTY RD 15, ELKHART, IN 46516) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. NOW DURING A RAINSTORM, THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER GOES BELOW THE LOWER WINDOW AND EVENTUALLY BINDS WITH THE DRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11099251 · 2018-06-01 (June 1, 2018)
EXIT DOOR LOCK BROKE, PREVENTING US FROM EXITING THE MOTORHOME. TRIMARK BRAND LOCK SET IS BOTH A DEAD BOLT AND SPRING LATCH. SPRING LATCH BROKE INTO TWO PIECES AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. TRIMARK HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT LOCK SET TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SET. SO TRIMARK IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THOR ONLINE FORUM AND OTHER RV FORUMS REPORT THIS DEFECT AND OTHERS NECESSITATING VEHICLE EXIT VIA A WINDOW. IN AN EMERGENT NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THIS DEFECT COULD PROVE DISASTROUS. WE WERE PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO US. THERE WAS NO PRI…
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11099251 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V224000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2015-04-15 (April 15, 2015)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Four Winds, Citation, Outlaw, Chateau, Siesta, and Freedom Elite motorhomes manufactured February 14, 2015, to April 6, 2015. The affected vehicles may be missing the water weight carrying capability information on the Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC) label . As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds)."
Consequence: If the vehicle is loaded to its weight capacity without including the weight of the water carried onboard, the motorhome may be overloaded. This can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners and will provide a new OCCC label with the correct information, free of charge. The recall began on May 1, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000099.
NHTSA campaign record ↗15V719000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2015-10-30 (October 30, 2015)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ace, Challenger, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport vehicles manufactured July 14, 2015, to October 16, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.
Consequence: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners on TMC's behalf, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000110.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V893000 · Structure:Body:Door:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 2016-12-13 (December 13, 2016)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Outlaw motorhomes, models 37BG, 37LS, 37RB, 38RE and 38RF, manufactured January 13, 2016, to December 8, 2016. The affected vehicles have rear cargo door hinges with welds that may be inadequate for securing the hinge pin to the hinge plate.
Consequence: If the welds are insufficient, the hinge may fail and the door could open with more force than normal, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hinge weld thickness, replacing the hinge as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 6, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V162000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2017-03-13 (March 13, 2017)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2015 ACE, Hurricane, Challenger, Daybreak, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes. These vehicles have windshield wiper systems that may have been improperly installed and secured, possibly causing the wipers to fail during use.
Consequence: Failure of the windshield wipers may impair the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: TMC has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wiper arm securing nuts, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V555000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer
Reported: 2017-09-07 (September 7, 2017)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Ace, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, Windsport, Palazzo, Tuscany, and Tuscany XTE motorhomes. The windshield wipers may fail due to the system being incorrectly installed or secured.
Consequence: If the windshield wipers cannot be used, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiper system to verify it is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the system as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 27, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000146. Note: Although some of the vehicles included in this recall have previously been remedied under recalls 17V-096 or 17V-162, the vehicles may need additional repairs under this campaign.
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 ↗