Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Damon Challenger
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Body & Structure
220.0%
Brakes
220.0%
Seats
110.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
110.0%
Lights
110.0%
Suspension
110.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
Median failure at 35,500 miles
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 1998peak 4Nov 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 Damon Challenger
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
1
investigation is
still open.
SQ99013Opened 19 May 1999Still openVISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER
THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM.HISTORICALLY, PROBLEMS THAT WOULD ALLOW VEHICLE COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY CONDUCTING SAFETY RECALLS.
Recalls on the 1998 Damon Challenger
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 20070782,071 units in Canada
Other
On certain fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a Dometic Corporation refrigerator, a fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube. This could allow the release of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source is present, which could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the refrigerator's boiler tube assembly.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 35,500 milesNorth Collins, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED . ONE MANIFOLD STUD BROKE OFF AT THE HEAD. WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO MELT DUE TO HOT EXHAUST. THIS IS A 454 CHEV. ENGINE. WE HAD TO INSERT METAL PLATE TO DEFLECT THE EXHAUST UNTIL WE COULD GET IT FIXED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR REPAIR ON THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND REPLACEMENT ON THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS WHEN DONE.
NHTSA complaint #10100332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
North Collins, NY
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
BOUGHT UNIT USED ,DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER HAS TO BE PUT ON TO GET THE HEAT OUT OF THE VENTS PRIOR TO USING THE VENTS. NONE OF THE DOOR ARE SWITCHING TO DIRECT THE AIR.
NHTSA complaint #10100331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrosse, FL
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE SPRINGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE MOTORHOME COLLASPED. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SIZE 16 CHASSIS IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CARRY A 3500 FOOT MOTORHOME. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020420 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrosse, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION LEAKED.
NHTSA complaint #566089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrosse, FL
SEATS
BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #566089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrosse, FL
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
FRONT PARKING AND SIGNAL LIGHTS FALLING OUT. ALSO, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE BULB, RUNNING LIGHT AND THE AMBER LENS ON THE FRONT DOOR LIGHT WAS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #566089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lacrosse, FL
SUSPENSION
THE MOTOR HOME WAS LEANING ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND IT CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL THE SPRING COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPRING COLLAPSED DUE TO BEING OVER WEIGHT AND WANTED TO CUT OFF THE RIGHT SPRING TO BALANCE THE RV.
NHTSA complaint #566089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluford, GA
STRUCTURE:BODY
SCREWS WERE RUSTING OUT ON LATTER LOCATED ON BACK OF TRAILER. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8010945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Defiance, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR DRIVER CAN RAISE AND CATCH UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND ADMITTED TO PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #832496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Defiance, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
WHEN DRIVING WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR DRIVER CAN RAISE AND CATCH UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND ADMITTED TO PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #832496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.