2011 Tiffin PHAETON: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING ON I-68 WEST BOUND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, ABOUT MILE MAKER 67 NOTICE A WOOD BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE IN REAR OF MOTOR HOME. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AT EXIT 68. WENT TO REAR OF MOTOR HOME AND SAW FIRE THRU REAR HATCH ON DRIVER SIDE AROUND ENGINE BY EXHAUST. CALLED 911, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED BUT MOTOR HOME WAS A TOTALLY LOSE. ALSO RECALL WAS DONE ON 08-22-2011, MILEAGE AT RECALL WAS 6125 MILES. MAY RELATE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V416000 COMPONENT ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING AND EXHAUST PIPE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 15,211 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512094 at NHTSA ↗

THE MOTOR HOME MANUFACTURER IS TIFFIN MOTOR HOMES, RED BAY ALABAMA, THE COACH IS BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS BUILT BY FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE PROBLEM IS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE COACH PRODUCING A STRONG DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES ODOR AND PROBABLY CARBON MONOXIDE. OUR RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM INDICATES THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE COACH DURING THE REGENERATION CYCLE . WE BELIEVE THERE ARE TWO ISSUES INVOLVED. #1 THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE TURBOCHARGER AND THE DEF CATALYST SYSTEM. (WE BELIE…

Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10545631 at NHTSA ↗

MICHELIN XZA3 275 80 R22.5 EXHIBITING SIDE WALL CRACKING, AND THE APPEARANCE OF CROSS HATCH PATTERN ON THE SIDE WALLS. DOT M5 EJ BVNX 1810. TIRES IN USE ON A 2011 TIFFIN MOTORHOME AND HAVE 18100 MILES ON THEM. MICHELIN LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND WILL REPLACE THEM OFFERING A 43% ADJUSTMENT WHICH IN REALITY IS CLOSER TO A 25% ADJUSTMENT BASED ON WHAT THE TIRES CAN BE PURCHASED FOR VS MSRP. THESE TIRES PRESENT A POTENTIAL FOR SIDEWALL FAILURE. I BELIEVE MICHELIN SHOULD BE MORE PRO ACTIVE IN ADDRESSING WHAT IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598627 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owned a 2011 Tiffin Phaeton motorhome equipped with Michelin tires, Tire line: Green X, Tire size: 275/80R22.5, and DOT number: M5EJOOEX3815. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the front passenger's side tire had a blowout, which caused the RV to crash into a utility pole, trees, and then stop after crashing into a fence. The contact and his wife, who was a passenger, were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact had a scratch above his eye, while his wife suffered three broken ribs, bruised, and stitches …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450924 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-10-25 (October 25, 2010)

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ALLEGRO, ALLEGRO BUS, AND PHAETON RVS EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD 35 SERIES RANGE OVENS. A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SMALL FRACTURE WITHIN THE LINE DELIVERING GAS TO THE OVEN CAVITY BURNER. SUCH A FRACTURE MAY CAUSE PROPANE GAS TO LEAK FROM THE LINE.

Consequence: A PROPANE LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: TIFFIN IS WORKING WITH ATWOOD AND WILL REPLACE OR REPAIR THE STOVES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 28, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ATWOOD AT 1-574-266-4749 OR TIFFIN 1-256-356-8661.

Reported: 2011-02-08 (February 8, 2011)

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Consequence: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.

Remedy: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.

Reported: 2011-08-08 (August 8, 2011)

TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 PHAETON MOTORHOMES WITH FLOOR PLANS QBH, QKH, AND QTH THAT ARE BUILT WITH 2010 EPA-CERTIFIED ENGINES ON POWERGLIDE CHASSIS. THE EXHAUST PIPE IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR.

Consequence: MELTING OF THE INSULATION CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ATTACH A HEAT SHIELD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND AN INSULATING SOCK OR BLANKET WILL BE WRAPPED AROUND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.

Reported: 2011-08-25 (August 25, 2011)

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 PHAETON, MY 2008-2010 BUS, AND MY 2010 ALLEGRO MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.

Consequence: A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DAMILER TRUCKS (DTNA) IS PERFORMING RECALL REPAIRS AND NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS. THE OWNERS WERE INITIALLY NOTIFIED BY DTNA TRUCKS ON DECEMBER 22, 2009, AND A FOLLOW UP NOTICE WAS MAILED TO OWNERS ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DTNA WARRANTY CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AT 1-800-547-0712 OR TIFFIN MOTORHOMES AT 1-256-356-8661 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Reported: 2011-09-23 (September 23, 2011)

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ALLEGRO BUS AND PHAETON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON THE POWERGLIDE CHASSIS 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: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES 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 ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFIN MOTORHOMES AT 1-256-356-8661.

Reported: 2011-11-10 (November 10, 2011)

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. (TIFFIN) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ALLEGRO AND PHAETON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISC, ISX, ISM, 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: TIFFIN 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 ON OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.

Reported: 2012-02-08 (February 8, 2012)

TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, 2012, AND 2013 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS PHAETON AND ZEPHYR, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX 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: TIFFINS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFINS AT 256-356-8661.

Reported: 2014-05-22 (May 22, 2014)

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Allegro, 2010-2011 Bus and Breeze, and 2008-2011 Phaeton and Zephyr recreational vehicles, equipped with LED clearance lights made by Command Electronics, Inc. In the affected vehicles, moisture may enter the light and cause a short between two connections on the circuit board.

Consequence: A short in the circuit board increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will install a one amp inline fuse into the front and rear circuits that will blow if there is a short in any of the clearance lights, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2014. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.

Reported: 2015-09-30 (September 30, 2015)

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Phaeton motorhomes built on Powerglide chassis with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH manufactured July 1, 2010, to August 1, 2011. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.

Consequence: Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will change the configuration of the exhaust to provide extra clearance between it and the floor, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Note: Although these vehicles may have been previously repaired for this condition under recall number 11V-416, it is important that the affected vehicles receive the revised remedy of this recall.

Reported: 2015-12-28 (December 28, 2015)

Tiffin Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps 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 become unstable.

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

Remedy: Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.

Reported: 2016-07-13 (July 13, 2016)

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr motorhomes, 2007-2010 Allegro Bay motorhomes, and 2010-2011 Allegro Breeze motorhomes. The windshield wiper arms on the affected vehicles may break off.

Consequence: If the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper blade arms, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for this recall is TIFF-100.

Reported: 2017-12-22 (December 22, 2017)

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Allegro and Allegro RED, Bus and Phaeton vehicles, 2009-2010 Bay vehicles, 2011-2018 Breeze vehicles, and 2009-2015, and 2017-2018 Zephyr vehicles. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that 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: Tiffin will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact 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. Owners may also contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.