Owners have filed 17 complaints
about the 2015 Grand Design Reflection with NHTSA between 2015 and 2018.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 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 — 36
Against the median year of the Grand Design Reflection. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 30
5.9% 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 2015 compares with every other Grand Design Reflection
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
16.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
1173.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
320.0%
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.
Jul 2015peak 3Sep 2018
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Visalia, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE 5TH WHEEL WAS 2 1/2 MONTHS OLD. AFTER RETURNING FROM A 250 MILE TRIP WE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE BEDROOM SLIDE AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. I PLUGGED IN THE ELECTRICAL PLUG AND OPENED THE SLIDE IN ORDER TO UNLOAD THE REMAINING CLOTHES, THEN I CLOSED THE SLIDE. THIS WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00PM. AT 10:45PM MY GIRLFRIEND HEARD THREE LOUD EXPLOSIONS AND WE RAN OUTSIDE TO FIND THE 5TH WHEEL TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I BELIEVE NOW THE EXPLOSIONS WERE THE TIRES ON THE 5TH WHEEL. THE FRAMES (BOTH OF THEM) THAT RUN THE LENGTH OF THE 5TH WHEEL WERE BENT APPROXIMATELY 18" TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRAILER. IN ADDITION BOTH AXLES ARE BEND DOWNWARD. I DON'T IF THIS A RESULT OF THE HEAT OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10761146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 12,000 milesMars Hill, ME
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED THIS RV NEW. I LOST A WHEEL BEARING BECAUSE OF A BAD WHEEL HUB. I WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE AXLE ENOUGH TO STILL USE. IN 2017 ON MY WAY TO ARIZONA I LOST THIS SAME WHEEL BEARING AGAIN AND WAS ABLE TO REPAIR IT ONCE AGAIN TO CONTINUE MY TRIP. AFTER RETURNING HOME LAST SPRING I DECIDED TO REPLACE THIS AXLE. UPON REMOVING THE AXLE I DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLES ON THIS RV ARE 4400# AXLES. MY PAPERWORK ON THIS RV SHOWS THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE 5200# AXLES. WONDERING WHY THIS IS SO.
NHTSA complaint #11128407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesNaples, FL
WHEELS
GRAAND DESIGN USES LIONSHEAD ALUMINUM 5 SPOKE WHEELS ON REFLECTION MODELS. THE WHEELS CRACK. I KNOW OF 3 CASES BESIDES MINE WHERE THE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED, AT SOME POINT SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE A WHEEL AND KILL SOMEONE. SEE HERE. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GROUPS/147999938972932/PERMALINK/465702340536022/
NHTSA complaint #11110034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chester, VT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE ELECTRICAL LINE AND THE PROPANE LINE UNDER THE KITCHEN SIDE OUT BROKE AND THE PROPANE LINE RUBBED ON THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING ON AN INTERSTATE CAUSING THE LINE TO CUT IN HALF AND PROPANE LEAKED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #11022362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,400 milesPearland, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
ALL 4 ELECTRIC DRUM BRAKES ON THE REFLECTION FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER TRAILER WERE CONTAMINATED WITH GREASE FROM THE AXLES. AFTER CHECKING BRAKES BECAUSE OF POOR TRAILER BRAKING WHILE TOWING THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAIL, I FOUND THAT ALL 4 BRAKE'S SHOES WERE BARELY WORN AFTER 2 YEARS OF USE. THE BRAKE SHOES HAD GREASE ON THEM AS WELL AS THE ELECTRIC MAGNET THAT ACTIVATES THE BRAKES. THE GREASE CONTAMINATION CAUSED FAULTY OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER LIPPERT HAS SUPPOSEDLY AFTER SEVERAL YEARS MADE SOME CHANGES, BUT STILL BRAND NEW CAMPER TRAILER ARE BEING FOUND WITH BRAKE GREASE CONTAMINATION.
NHTSA complaint #11003193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesBrownsburg, IN
SUSPENSION
BRAKES WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WHEEL BEARING GREASE, EITHER DAMAGED/FAULTY REAR WHEEL BEARING SEAL OR/AND SUBSTANDARD GREASE THAT LIQUEFIES. THE CAVITY IN THE HUB IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY WITH GREASE WHICH IS UNNECESSARY WHICH IS ANOTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS. SUSPENSION ITEMS ARE PROVIDED BY LIPPERT (LCI). MY 2011 HEARTLAND SUNDANCE 5TH WHEEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. GREASE ON THESE BRAKES MAKES IT NEARLY NON FUNCTIONING AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10955358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesBrownsburg, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES WERE CONTAMINATED WITH WHEEL BEARING GREASE, EITHER DAMAGED/FAULTY REAR WHEEL BEARING SEAL OR/AND SUBSTANDARD GREASE THAT LIQUEFIES. THE CAVITY IN THE HUB IS FILLED TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY WITH GREASE WHICH IS UNNECESSARY WHICH IS ANOTHER CONTRIBUTING FACTORY. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS. SUSPENSION ITEMS ARE PROVIDED BY LIPPERT (LCI). MY 2011 HEARTLAND SUNDANCE 5TH WHEEL HAD THE SAME ISSUE. GREASE ON THESE BRAKES MAKES IT NEARLY NON FUNCTIONING AND A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10955358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesKingsport, TN
SERVICE BRAKES
GREASE SEALS FAILING CAUSING AXLE GREASE TO COVER WHEELS AND BRAKE PADS. DEALER HAS REPLACED BOTH SETS OF SEALS ON BOTH SIDES OF BOTH TANDEM AXLES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. ONE SIDE WAS REPLACED IN JAN 2016, THE OTHER SIDE WAS REPLACED IN SEPT 2016.
NHTSA complaint #10920564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesMarquette, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
TRAILER WHEEL BEARING SEALS LEAKING GREASE, AND COATING BRAKE SHOES WITH GREASE. THREE OUT OF FOUR SEALS WERE LEAKING. REPLACED ALL GREASE SEALS AND REPACKED WHEEL BEARINGS.
NHTSA complaint #10897448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,200 milesCana, VA
TIRES
4 GOODYEAR MARATHON WERE INSTALLED ON OUR REFLECTION FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER. THE ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE CAMPER WERE EXCHANGED FOR THE GOODYEAR TIRES. DOT 2VUN1LHR4213 THROUGH 4813. ON JULY 24,2016 THE TIRES WERE ADJUSTED TO 80 PSI. AFTER ABOUT 65 MILES INTO OUR TRIP THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPLODED AND SHEARED THE TREAD FROM THE TIRE. THE EXPLODING TIRE CAUSED $3700 WORTH OF DAMAGE AS QUOTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TIRE WAS TURNED INTO AN AUTHORIZED GOOD YEAR DEALER AND A REPLACEMENT PROTOW TIRE WAS PURCHASED FOR $144. ON THE RETURN TRIP THE OTHER GOODYEAR MARATHON SAME SIDE SEPARATED. THIS TIRE WAS RETURNED TO GOODYEAR FOR EVALUATION. TIRE SIZE ST 235-80-16 LOAD RANGE E.DOT 2VUN 1LHR 4813 THE FIRST TIRE EXPLOSION WAS VIOLENT, THROWING FRAGMENTS INTO FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. ONE NEAR ACCIDENT WAS OBSERVED OF TRAFFIC TRYING TO AVOID THE SHARDS WITH THE CAR APPEARING TO GO SIDEWAYS. THE SECOND EXPLOSION WAS LESS VIOLENT BUT STILL LEFT LARGE CHUNKS IN THE HIGHWAY. STATE POLICE WERE CALLED FRO ASSISTANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10895774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,000 milesAustintown, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
AXLE BEARING GREASE LEAKS ONTO BRAKE SHOES AND ELECTRIC BRAKE MAGNET MECHANISM, MAKING BRAKES LESS EFFECTIVE INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE SUBSTANTIALLY, THIS OCCURS WHENEVER USING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES ARE ADJUSTED PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10882346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesBuford, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
GRAND DESIGN TRAVEL TRAILERS/5TH WHEELS USING LIPPERT AXLES. WHEEL SEAL FAILURE LETTING WHEEL BEARING GREASE CONTAMINATE THE BRAKE SHOES/PADS & ELECTRO MAGNETS. ALMOST COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING. EMERGENCY ACTIVATION COULD NOT STOP UNIT WITHIN 150 FEET AT 10MPH. SEALS WERE HARD WHEN REMOVED.
NHTSA complaint #10865545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Visalia, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE 5TH WHEEL WAS 2 1/2 MONTHS OLD. AFTER RETURNING FROM A 250 MILE TRIP WE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE BEDROOM SLIDE AND IT WOULDN'T OPEN. I PLUGGED IN THE ELECTRICAL PLUG AND OPENED THE SLIDE IN ORDER TO UNLOAD THE REMAINING CLOTHES, THEN I CLOSED THE SLIDE. THIS WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 8:00PM. AT 10:45PM MY GIRLFRIEND HEARD THREE LOUD EXPLOSIONS AND WE RAN OUTSIDE TO FIND THE 5TH WHEEL TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I BELIEVE NOW THE EXPLOSIONS WERE THE TIRES ON THE 5TH WHEEL. THE FRAMES (BOTH OF THEM) THAT RUN THE LENGTH OF THE 5TH WHEEL WERE BENT APPROXIMATELY 18" TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRAILER. IN ADDITION BOTH AXLES ARE BEND DOWNWARD. I DON'T IF THIS A RESULT OF THE HEAT OR NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10761146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesWest Sacramento, CA
SUSPENSION
VIN STICKER ON SIDE OF FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER STATES "6000 LB AXLES" BUT TRAILER HAD UNDERSIZED AXLES RATED AT 5200 LB AXLES! GRAND DESIGN RV OWNERS PLEASE CHECK YOU AXLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!
NHTSA complaint #10747286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesCarlsbad, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
SHORTLY AFTER DELIVERY OF A BRAND NEW 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER I BEGAN TO NOTICE GREASE LEAKING FROM THE DRUM. AFTER PULLING THE BRAKE DRUMS I FOUND DARK GREASE HAD MIGRATED PAST THE SEALS AND IN TO THE DRUMS COATING THE INSIDE OF THE DRUMS, BRAKE PAD SURFACES AND MAGNET. THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON MY TRAILER ARE MANUFACTURED AND ASSEMBLED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS, IND.
NHTSA complaint #10746975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesSaint Johns, FL
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS RETURNING FROM A TRIP, WHEN THE ELECTRIC BRAKES ON MY 5TH WHEEL TRAILER STARTED NOT WORKING. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE CONTROLLER GAIN TURNED TO MAXIMUM, THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO BRAKING. I INSPECTED THE BRAKES WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND THAT GREASE WAS LEAKING FROM ALL 4 WHEEL BEARING GREASE SEALS COATING THE BRAKE SHOES. THIS WAS ONLY THE 3RD TRIP I HAD TAKEN WITH THIS UNIT AND HAD TOWED IT LESS THAN 2500 MILES TOTAL SINCE PURCHASE IN AUGUST 2014. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS MUCH MORE THAN NORMAL WITH NO TRAILER BRAKES. AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD THERE BEEN AN UNUSUAL SITUATION REQUIRING A SUDDEN STOP. MANUFACTURE IS CORRECTING THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY WITH TOTAL BRAKE AND SEAL REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10744672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 400 milesPayson, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS IS A NEW TRAILER THAT HAD GREASE ON ALL FOUR BRAKES DUE TO GREASE PASSING THROUGH THE SEALS. THE MANUFACTURER IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD PACKED THE WHEEL BEARINGS. THE HUBS WERE FILLED WITH GREASE INDICATING THAT THE "EASY-LUBE" FEATURE HAD BEEN USED TO PACK THE BEARINGS. I DON'T BELIEVE THE SEALS ARE BAD, I BELIEVE THE PROCEDURES ARE FLAWED. FIFTH WHEELS OF THIS WEIGHT SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF AXLE. THERE AREN'T ANY SEALS THAT ARE GOING TO CONTAIN THE GREASE FROM A GREASE GUN THAT IS FILLING THE HUB .
NHTSA complaint #10734300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesELK Grove, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
LIPPERT BRAKE SHOES AND MAGNETS CONTAMINATED WITH GREASE. GREASE SEAL BLEW OUT WITH EXCESSIVE GREASE AND/OR FAULTY SEALS. STOPPING ABILITY OF VEHICLE EXTREMELY IMPACTED AND DANGEROUS
NHTSA complaint #10733047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.