Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2017 Grand Design Momentum with NHTSA between 2016 and 2024.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 18
Against the median year of the Grand Design Momentum. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
100% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2017 compares with every other Grand Design Momentum
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 Grand Design Momentum
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
750.0%
Median failure at 3,500 miles
Body & Structure
214.3%
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Equipment & Accessories
17.1%
Tires
17.1%
Median failure at 3,000 miles
Suspension
17.1%
Median failure at 11,000 miles
Electrical System
17.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
562.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
225.0%
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.
Oct 2016peak 2Dec 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2017 Grand Design Momentum
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.
PE24029Opened 9 Oct 2024Still openSTRUCTURE
Frame Flex on Grand Design Fifth Wheel Recreational Trailers
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received twenty-three complaints alleging excessive frame flex on model year 2017-2023 Grand Design fifth wheel recreational trailers, models Momentum and Solitude. Twenty-two of the complaints allege that excessive frame flex resulted in a cargo or entry door opening while in transit, some with objects lost on roadways, while six complaints also state that slideouts extended out partially. ODI has been in contact with both Grand Design and Lippert, the frame manufacturer. Grand Design believes that some frame flex, generally considered to be verti...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Stafford, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Based on internet craze of and symptoms of Frame Flex | Frame Failure on Grand Design Momentum 5th wheels I had my unit measured for Fram Flex by Grand Design at the GD East Coast Rally. According to their measurements at that time I was 1/16 inch away from needing to be concerned regarding frame flex. After the fact in reading Lippert Components Incorporated (LCI) measuring instructions Grand Design did NOT measure my unit per LCI's instructions. After much thought and continued symptoms of frame flex we decided to incur personal expenses and took our unit to Affinity RV group of Goshen Indiana to have an independent frame inspection completed. Affinity RV measured our unit following Lippert measuring instructions and confirmed Frame Flex. They are adding gussets and other assorted items to correct this Grand Design manufacturing defect.
NHTSA complaint #11630779 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Box Elder, SD
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact stated that the exterior storage doors failed to close properly. The contact stated that the generator doors almost detached, and the front rubber trim hold was detaching. The RV was towed to the dealer, where several repairs were performed; however, the frame continued to fracture. The dealer advised the contact to park the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11608008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairfax, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
This is a 43 foot fifth wheel RV. The frame near the front of the RV is showing signs of "frame-flex," or frame cracking. The attached pictures illustrate where the walls are shifting and creating wear marks; this is consistent with other RV owners experiences the same problem. This issue could contribute in further frame cracking that may result in significant property damage or even death. I plan to report this issue today to the manufacturer, Grand Design.
NHTSA complaint #11591491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Butte, MT
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V038000 (Equipment). The local dealer was contacted but declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no additional assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DEALER IN THE STATE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL AS A SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED.
NHTSA complaint #11464073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesAngier, NC
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM RV EQUIPPED WITH FTS TIRES, TIRE LINE: WESTLAKE, TIRE SIZE: ST235/80/R16 N/A, DOT NUMBER: JUMR2CT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS 3,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200.
NHTSA complaint #11355172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesSaint Albans, WV
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC ON THIS RV AND MANY OTHER RV'S HAVE AN ISSUE KNOWN BY THE MAUFACTURER RELATED TO AXLE GREASE LEAKING PAST THE INNER LIP SEAL. THE EXCESS LEAKING GREASE CONTAMINATES THE BRAKE PAD AND DRUM CONTACT SURFACES RESULTING IN SEVERLY DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS.
NHTSA complaint #11204463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesArvada, CO
SUSPENSION
LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN, CUTTING WIRE TO ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES. TWO LEAF SPRING FAILURES, ONE AT 11 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE, SECOND FAILURE AT 13 MONTHS. BOTH FAILURES WHILE MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11115609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,000 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN, CUTTING WIRE TO ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES. TWO LEAF SPRING FAILURES, ONE AT 11 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE, SECOND FAILURE AT 13 MONTHS. BOTH FAILURES WHILE MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #11115609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75 milesRIO Hondo, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED A NEW GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM 350M AT HOLIDAY WORLD KATY, TEXAS. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER & CHECKING HOOK-UP TO TRUCK, LIGHTS & BRAKES IN THE PARKING LOT, I TOWED THE 350M ABOUT 50 MILES ACROSS HOUSTON. I WAS QUITE CONCERNED WITH THE POOR BRAKING QUALITY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER, EVEN AFTER INCREASING THE TRUCK BRAKE CONTROLLER GAIN TO 9.5 (OF POSSIBLE 10). I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BRAKES NEEDED MORE 'BREAK-IN TIME' SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I SLOWLY TOWED THE CAMPING TRAILER 400 MILES TO MY HOME IN S. TEXAS. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED WITH THE BRAKING QUALITY OF THE 350M AND CONSIDERED IT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONCE HOME, I WOULD NOT TOW THE UNIT ANY FURTHER WITHOUT MAKING SERIOUS IMPROVEMENT TO THE TRAILERS BRAKING CAPABILITY. AFTER JOINING GRAND DESIGN OWNER FORUMS WE REALIZED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAD BRAKING ISSUES. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PULL WHEELS & HUBS. LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS, ALL 4 ELECTRIC/MAGNETIC BRAKES (DRUMS, MAGNETS, SHOES & ALL INSIDE THE DRUMS) WERE COATED WITH A HEAVY FILM OF GREASE. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE 350M & LIPPERT'S SELF ADJUSTING, ELECTRIC, MAGNETIC BRAKE SYSTEM WAS EXHIBITING VERY POOR QUALITY, UNSAFE BRAKING CAPABILITY. LIPPERT (LCI) SEMI-ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN JANUARY 2017 BUT WOULD NOT ADMIT ANY FAULT ON THEIR BEHALF. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION FROM THE NHTSA BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE SHOWING SOME OF THE GREASE CONTAMINATION UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL HUB FROM THE AXLE. THESE BRAKES DEPEND ON THE MAGNETIC FORCE AGAINST THE ROTATING HUB TO 'APPLY BRAKE SHOE PRESSURE TO THE DRUM'. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH A GREASE FILM ON THE MAGNET, ALL INSIDE THE DRUM AREA & ALSO ON BRAKE SHOES. SHAMEFUL WHY A LARGE COMPANY LIKE LIPPERT WILL NOT "OWN UP" TO & CORRECT THE PROBLEM ! CAN THE NHTSA HELP ?
NHTSA complaint #11000307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesHampton, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
LEAKING GREASE SEALS ON 5 OF 6 WHEELS; 6TH GREASE SEAL SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10992601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seville, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE WIRING FOR THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES ARE NOT IN ANY PROTECTIVE COVER AND ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SUSPENSION, FREE TO MOVE AND CHAFE. WHEN ANY OF THE 12 VOLT POWER WIRES RUBS THROUGH AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT WILL CREATE A DEAD SHORT, BLOWING THE FUSE IN THE TOW VEHICLE AND LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH A 15,500 POUND TRAILER WITH NO BRAKES TO AID IN STOPPING. THE ATTACHED PICTURES ARE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10971735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
THE WIRING FOR THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES ARE NOT IN ANY PROTECTIVE COVER AND ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SUSPENSION, FREE TO MOVE AND CHAFE. WHEN ANY OF THE 12 VOLT POWER WIRES RUBS THROUGH AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT WILL CREATE A DEAD SHORT, BLOWING THE FUSE IN THE TOW VEHICLE AND LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH A 15,500 POUND TRAILER WITH NO BRAKES TO AID IN STOPPING. THE ATTACHED PICTURES ARE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10971735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesArvada, CO
SERVICE BRAKES
THE CURB SIDE ELECTRIC DRUM BRAKES ON BOTH AXLES OF OUR TANDEM AXLE FIFTH WHEEL RV ARE GREASED AND HAVE FAILED. THE ROOT CAUSE SEEMS TO BE THE FAILURE OF THE DOUBLE LIP INNER GREASE SEAL. IT ALLOWS GREASE INTO THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WHERE IT IS FLUNG ABOUT SATURATING THE SHOES AND SPLATTERING ON FRICTION SURFACES. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE SHOES AND ELECTROMAGNETS ARE COVERED IN GREASE AS IS THE WHEEL HUB, ARMATURE AND MISCELLANEOUS BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE RESULT WAS NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF TRAILER BRAKING ON THAT SIDE OF THE RV PLACING OUR LIVES AND THAT OF OTHERS IN DANGER IN BOTH HIGHWAY AND URBAN DRIVING. BOTH ELECTROMAGNETS ON THE CURB SIDE FELL OUT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ASSEMBLIES WHEN THE HUBS WERE PULLED SUGGESTING THE RETAINERS HAD EITHER BEEN LEFT OFF OR HAD FALLEN OUT AT SOME POINT. NO RETAINERS WERE RECOVERED. IN GENERAL DRIVING AND BRAKING SCENARIOS IN THE CITY AND ON HIGHWAYS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT LACK OF ASSISTIVE BRAKING FROM THE RV TRAILER. IN REMOVING THE FACTORY BRAKE HUBS RECENTLY, WE DISCOVERED GREASE ALL OVER TWO OF THE FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ACROSS THE RV INDUSTRY ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S FORUMS. A POLL ON THE GRAND DESIGN OWNER'S FORUM LISTS 136 OWNERS AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING THAT HAVE HAVE HAD SOME OR ALL OF THEIR FACTORY BRAKES FAIL DUE TO INNER GREASE SEAL FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.GRANDDESIGNOWNERS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/8531-POLL-HOW-MANY-OF-YOU-HAVE-HAD-YOUR-GREASE-SEALS-FAIL?P=104366#POST104366 SINCE THIS FAILURE IS HIDDEN FROM VIEW, WE CANNOT BE PRECISE AS TO WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED. OUR SEALS FAILED SOMETIME BETWEEN DELIVERY FROM THE FACTORY TO THE DEALER IN EARLY MAY 2016 TO MARCH 19TH OF 2017 WHEN WE PUT OUR RV IN STORAGE. WE HAVE DRIVEN IT ABOUT 5000 MILES OVER THAT TIME. THE FAILED BRAKE HUBS WERE PULLED BETWEEN MARCH 25 AND MARCH 26TH.
NHTSA complaint #10969127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,300 milesHereford, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY GRAND DESIGN UNITS, TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, AND THAT UPON DELIVERY, THE BRAKES ON MY NEW UNIT, DELIVERED ON 09/23/16, WERE CHECKED OUT, AND GREASE FREE. UPON ARRIVING AT MY HOME, ONE WEEK LATER, BRAKES ARE COVERED WITH GREASE AND MY RV SERVICE REPAIR CENTER SAID THE UNIT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN AS IT IS UNSAFE. I AWAIT GRAND DESIGN'S RESPONSE, PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, BUT AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE GREASED BRAKE COMPLAINTS ON THE GRAND DESIGN OWNERS FORUM, I DECIDED THIS PROBLEM IS LIFE THREATENING TO ALL OWNERS, NEW AND OLD, OF GRAND DESIGN RV'S, AND ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10914048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.