2019 Grand Design Reflection problems

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Reflection RV. The contact stated that while pulling the RV, the contact noticed abnormal sounds coming from the hitch location, and the RV displayed excessive up and down movements. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that both the driver's side and passenger's side frames had sustained 3 cracks on each side. The vehicle was serviced at the local RV dealer for the cracks. Additionally, the contact later noticed that the RV outriggers had bent due to a lack of structural strength, the floor of the RV had become warped, and the walls had delaminated due to excessive movement, shuddering, and vibrations inside the RV walls. The contact was concerned that the pin box might fracture while pulling the RV, causing the RV to detach from the vehicle. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 6,000.

NHTSA complaint #11707769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Excessive movement of 5th wheel pin box as a result of cracked frame supporting it. This is the only point of attachment between the tow vehicle and the trailer. Complete failure could lead to uncontrolled detachment of trailer resulting in serious damage, injury or death. Grand Design inspected range of motion of the rear of the pin box on Feb 9, 2025 and deemed it not an issue. However, the front attachment point has a complete crack through the supporting beam which they will not address.

NHTSA complaint #11643206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

In April 2023 during an inspection to correct a misalignment of my 2019 5th wheel trailer's dual axles, it was discovered by the servicing shop (Straight Line Suspension, Mesa AZ) that the left rear spring hanger had failed causing one of the axles to become misaligned. Straight Line informed me that this was a very unusual situation but we assumed it was a one off situation which was then corrected by Straight Line. On September 24, 2023 while traveling on Interstate 40 in western Arizona several vehicles blew their horns at me and indicated that I should pull off to the side of the road. As I slowed down and began to get out of the active lane I heard a tire blowout. After stopping on the side of I-40 I discovered that the blowout was a result of the right rear spring hanger had broken apart and subsequently hitting the inside of my right rear tire and totally destroying it. At this point the rear of the spring and axle was no longer connected to the chassis. I contacted a towing company who had to chain up the floating axle in order to tow me to the nearest exit. After I located a mobil welder to temporarily patch the broken hanger and was able to limp home with my trailer. I contacted Grand Design and they informed me that since it was over 1 year since I bought the new trailer from them it was out of warranty but suggested that I contact Lippert Components who was the OEM of the defective chassis and spring hanger. Since there are a total of 3 hangers on each side I asked that they pay to replace the broken one plus the other 4 that had not yet broken off. They asked that I get an estimate to replace the broken hanger and the other hanger that I already replaced 5 months earlier. They refused my request to replace the total of 5 hangers that were still part of their original build. If additional hangers had broken loose at that time it is likely that 1 or 2 axles could have broken free from the trailer and possibly cause a catastrophic situation.

NHTSA complaint #11554661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Reflection RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the RV drove over a slight ditch in the road and a loud clunking noise was heard. After stopping to inspect the RV, the contact discovered that the front frame of the RV had failed and was bent due to metal fatigue. The RV was taken to the local welder who re-welded the front frame, and the RV was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #11548368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2019 Grand Design Recreational Reflection. The contact stated that there were wires located underneath one of the slide out beds. While sliding out the bed, the bed rubbed against the wire and caused the wires to short circuit. The contact lost power to certain lights located in the bedroom due to the design. The contact called an independent mechanic who redirected the wires from underneath the slide out bed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA complaint #11420141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I HAVE AN UNSAFE AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS WIRING PROBLEM ON MY RV. THE HEATER AND THE REFRIGERATOR ARE WIRED ON THE SAME CIRCUIT BREAKER (SPLICED TOGETHER). WHEN THE HEATER TURNS ON, THE FRIDGE POWER FLASHES ON AND OFF FOR A MOMENT UNTIL THE HEATER IS RUNNING NORMALLY. THIS KIND OF SURGE ON THE CIRCUIT IS UNSAFE AND CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND/OR FIRE. THE CONTROL BOARD FOR THE FRIDGE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AS PER BISH'S RV. I HAVE NOTIFIED GRAND DESIGN ABOUT THIS IN A SURVEY (04/2019). SHORTLY AFTER THAT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM [XXX] ASKING ABOUT MY CONCERNS (04/10/2019) I DESCRIBED IN THE SURVEY. I ALSO RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM GRAND DESIGN, I BELIEVE ON 04/11/2019. I SPOKE WITH THIS REPRESENTATIVE AND EXPLAINED THE WIRING ISSUE AND TOLD HIM THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS WIRED ON THE SAME CIRCUIT BREAKER. HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY DO NOT WIRE THEIR RV'S IN SUCH A WAY AND STATED THAT, I MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY LIGHTNING THAT CAUSED THE ISSUE. BISH'S RV TRIED TO GET GRAND DESIGN TO APPROVE THE ELECTRICAL WORK AS WARRANTY. GRAND DESIGN REFUSED TWICE (ON THE SAME DATE OF 05/02/2019). GRAND DESIGN STATED THAT THE HEATER AND FRIDGE DO NOT DRAW MORE THAN 15 AMPS WHILE RUNNING SIMULTANEOUSLY. I BELIEVE THEY ARE FORGETTING THE PEAK AMPERAGE AT START UP THAT IS CAUSING THIS ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND EVEN DEATH, UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY RESOLVED. IT HAS ALREADY CAUSED A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE FRIDGE CONTROL BOARD. AS PER THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE ARTICLE 551 STATES THAT AN RV MUST COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE OTHER REQUIREMENTS IF IT HAS A POWER SOURCE THAT IS 120V, 120/208V, OR 120/240V [551.4]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11330508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

PULLING IN FOR GAS AT GAS STATION HIT THE CURB MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR WITH LEFT FRONT TIRE BENT FRONT TIRE ON LEFT BENT HANGER ON LEFT AND BENT HANGER ON RIGHT CAUSING TIRE TO POP AND OVER 3000 DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO SUSPENSION. HAD ABOUT 1300 MILES ON TRAILER WAS FIRST TRIP OUT

NHTSA complaint #11217271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

PULLING IN FOR GAS AT GAS STATION HIT THE CURB MAYBE 2 MILES AN HOUR WITH LEFT FRONT TIRE BENT FRONT TIRE ON LEFT BENT HANGER ON LEFT AND BENT HANGER ON RIGHT CAUSING TIRE TO POP AND OVER 3000 DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO SUSPENSION. HAD ABOUT 1300 MILES ON TRAILER WAS FIRST TRIP OUT

NHTSA complaint #11217271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.