2021 Grand Design Solitude problems

STRUCTURE

Beginning in 2024 our RV exhibited consistent structural movement & frame flex including: upper deck flex, front cap cracking, cracked moldings, sidewall movement, filon transition movement, screws pushing upward into floors, slides coming out during travel. Rv has unsuccessfully been repaired twice by Grand Design SRT & three times at Grand Design Factory. Independent RV service repair shop identified further damage caused by Grand Designs failed attempts at repair.

NHTSA complaint #11755032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame weld cracks. Wall support framing cracks. Damaged cargo doors from flexing frame. Slideout damage from frame support break which may or may not keep it locked in placed during travel. Has been returned to manufacturer twice. 2024, 2025. Same issues again in 2026.

NHTSA complaint #11737872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Frame weld cracks. Wall support framing cracks. Damaged cargo doors from flexing frame. Slideout damage from frame support break which may or may not keep it locked in placed during travel. Has been returned to manufacturer twice. 2024, 2025. Same issues again in 2026.

NHTSA complaint #11737872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

Frame weld cracks. Wall support framing cracks. Damaged cargo doors from flexing frame. Slideout damage from frame support break which may or may not keep it locked in placed during travel. Has been returned to manufacturer twice. 2024, 2025. Same issues again in 2026.

NHTSA complaint #11737872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame flex from broken welds on the pin box to the frame. It’s a very wide know thing across many GD models that used this same frame / pin box. I have pictures showing the angle of the pin box once weights applied, it’s a safety issue and there’s tons of people online having the same issue.

NHTSA complaint #11735384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I am submitting a new safety complaint regarding my 2021 Grand Design Solitude 380FL, VIN [XXX] . On my first trip out this year (4/29/2026), while towing approximately 20 miles to a nearby campsite, the off-door-side cargo compartment door again opened during transit. As a direct result, a bucket containing my water hose, regulator, 90 degree fitting, etc were ejected from the compartment and onto the roadway at highway speed. This is a significant escalation of the safety issue previously reported. This is no longer limited to a door opening condition—this event resulted in unsecured cargo being discharged into a public roadway, creating a hazard to other motorists. This failure occurred despite extensive prior repair efforts, including: Four separate Service Response Team (SRT) visits Approximately 10 weeks at the Grand Design factory for structural and frame-related repairs Multiple inspections and repair attempts involving both Grand Design RV and Lippert Components The cargo door opening condition has persisted throughout this entire repair history and has not been resolved. This repeated failure following extensive repair attempts demonstrates that the manufacturer’s inspection and repair procedures have not corrected the defect. The condition remains present and continues to pose a clear safety risk to other motorists on public roadways. This event further supports that: The defect is ongoing and unresolved Prior repairs were ineffective The condition presents a real hazard to public roadways I respectfully request that this incident be included in the investigation record and considered as evidence of an unresolved safety defect with the potential to cause roadway incidents or crashes. I am available to provide photographs, video, or additional documentation related to this event. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11734913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am filing a complaint regarding the frame manufactured by Lippert Components on my 2021 Grand Design Solitude 380FL (VIN [XXX] ). Lippert is the OEM supplier of the frame and has been directly involved in inspection and repair of ongoing structural failures. The unit has experienced repeated structural failures, including frame flex, broken welds, cracking of the main I-beam rails above both axles, torn steel upper sill plates and suspension failures. These issues began within the manufacturer’s warranty period and required extensive factory repairs from December 2024 to February 2025, including reinforcement of the upper deck, weld repairs, sill plate replacement, and added gussets. Despite these repairs, new failures developed shortly after. In September 2025, a Lippert technician (dispatched at Grand Design’s request) identified new frame cracks above both axles, a bent outrigger support, and repeated suspension failure. These were not pre-existing conditions but occurred after factory structural repairs. In December 2025, Lippert performed additional field repairs, including welding the cracked frame, adding fishplates, reinforcing outriggers, and installing cross-members. These repairs were performed under engineering direction, and Lippert confirmed no standard TSB applied to this condition. Despite multiple repair attempts, the unit continues to exhibit structural-related issues, including cargo doors opening during transit and recurring suspension failures. These conditions indicate ongoing and unsafe frame deflection and instability. Grand Design has now stated their repairs are done per a customer satisfaction campaign, and attributed responsibility for any ongoing frame issues to Lippert, and has abandoned any further assistance with cargo doors opening during transit. This represents a systemic structural defect affecting safety, including risk of debris or components entering roadways and loss of structural integrity during travel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA complaint #11726338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I am filing a complaint regarding the frame manufactured by Lippert Components on my 2021 Grand Design Solitude 380FL (VIN [XXX] ). Lippert is the OEM supplier of the frame and has been directly involved in inspection and repair of ongoing structural failures. The unit has experienced repeated structural failures, including frame flex, broken welds, cracking of the main I-beam rails above both axles, torn steel upper sill plates and suspension failures. These issues began within the manufacturer’s warranty period and required extensive factory repairs from December 2024 to February 2025, including reinforcement of the upper deck, weld repairs, sill plate replacement, and added gussets. Despite these repairs, new failures developed shortly after. In September 2025, a Lippert technician (dispatched at Grand Design’s request) identified new frame cracks above both axles, a bent outrigger support, and repeated suspension failure. These were not pre-existing conditions but occurred after factory structural repairs. In December 2025, Lippert performed additional field repairs, including welding the cracked frame, adding fishplates, reinforcing outriggers, and installing cross-members. These repairs were performed under engineering direction, and Lippert confirmed no standard TSB applied to this condition. Despite multiple repair attempts, the unit continues to exhibit structural-related issues, including cargo doors opening during transit and recurring suspension failures. These conditions indicate ongoing and unsafe frame deflection and instability. Grand Design has now stated their repairs are done per a customer satisfaction campaign, and attributed responsibility for any ongoing frame issues to Lippert, and has abandoned any further assistance with cargo doors opening during transit. This represents a systemic structural defect affecting safety, including risk of debris or components entering roadways and loss of structural integrity during travel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA complaint #11726338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I am filing a complaint regarding the frame manufactured by Lippert Components on my 2021 Grand Design Solitude 380FL (VIN [XXX] ). Lippert is the OEM supplier of the frame and has been directly involved in inspection and repair of ongoing structural failures. The unit has experienced repeated structural failures, including frame flex, broken welds, cracking of the main I-beam rails above both axles, torn steel upper sill plates and suspension failures. These issues began within the manufacturer’s warranty period and required extensive factory repairs from December 2024 to February 2025, including reinforcement of the upper deck, weld repairs, sill plate replacement, and added gussets. Despite these repairs, new failures developed shortly after. In September 2025, a Lippert technician (dispatched at Grand Design’s request) identified new frame cracks above both axles, a bent outrigger support, and repeated suspension failure. These were not pre-existing conditions but occurred after factory structural repairs. In December 2025, Lippert performed additional field repairs, including welding the cracked frame, adding fishplates, reinforcing outriggers, and installing cross-members. These repairs were performed under engineering direction, and Lippert confirmed no standard TSB applied to this condition. Despite multiple repair attempts, the unit continues to exhibit structural-related issues, including cargo doors opening during transit and recurring suspension failures. These conditions indicate ongoing and unsafe frame deflection and instability. Grand Design has now stated their repairs are done per a customer satisfaction campaign, and attributed responsibility for any ongoing frame issues to Lippert, and has abandoned any further assistance with cargo doors opening during transit. This represents a systemic structural defect affecting safety, including risk of debris or components entering roadways and loss of structural integrity during travel. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

NHTSA complaint #11726338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was informed to reference this code PE24029. 2021 5th Wheel - Grand Design Solitude 310GK. Frame cracks and separation. June 2025, contact made with Grand Design and they approved for us to obtain a welder. We did. It did not correct the issue and we contacted Grand Design again. Our Unit has been in the repair shop since December10, 2025. Back and forth emails with Grand Design. Sides need to be taken off to get to frame issues and make a repair. Would love for representative from NHTSA to come and look at our unit. The lower portion has been dropped, and you will be able to view. It's currently, in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

NHTSA complaint #11716054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

I was informed to reference this code PE24029. 2021 5th Wheel - Grand Design Solitude 310GK. Frame cracks and separation. June 2025, contact made with Grand Design and they approved for us to obtain a welder. We did. It did not correct the issue and we contacted Grand Design again. Our Unit has been in the repair shop since December10, 2025. Back and forth emails with Grand Design. Sides need to be taken off to get to frame issues and make a repair. Would love for representative from NHTSA to come and look at our unit. The lower portion has been dropped, and you will be able to view. It's currently, in Santa Fe Springs, CA.

NHTSA complaint #11716054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2021 Grand Design Solitude Trailer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the cargo doors opened independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the built-in tables were detaching from the wall, and the wall panels were separating in the bunk room. The contact also noticed that the walls were separating from the floor. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11681363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2021 Grand Design Solitude Trailer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the cargo doors opened independently. Additionally, the contact stated that the built-in tables were detaching from the wall, and the wall panels were separating in the bunk room. The contact also noticed that the walls were separating from the floor. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11681363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Current Symptoms (post-repair): Excessive Frame Flex: - Pin Box Flex, including cracking sounds - Bulge in bottom corner of front driver side slide - Decal ripples - Screws snapping - Door alignment issues - Sawdust on interior furniture after moving - Pinch molding issues - Screws backing out Repairs were made on the unit in Feb 2025, however the above symptoms are still present (or have worsened) since the repair was completed.

NHTSA complaint #11679272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

Current Symptoms (post-repair): Excessive Frame Flex: - Pin Box Flex, including cracking sounds - Bulge in bottom corner of front driver side slide - Decal ripples - Screws snapping - Door alignment issues - Sawdust on interior furniture after moving - Pinch molding issues - Screws backing out Repairs were made on the unit in Feb 2025, however the above symptoms are still present (or have worsened) since the repair was completed.

NHTSA complaint #11679272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Visible indicators began to appear both inside and outside of the RV within the past 12-18 months that were indicative of a structural problem. First, we noticed separation underneath the front cap where it is sealed with the bottom molding. Next, we noticed the wood paneling facia board behind the front bedroom closet, in the front nose cap, had almost completely separated from the closet shelving. Additionally, the adjacent closet, doubling as the Washer/Dryer closet, had wood paneling separating from framing. Most recently, we observed three separate nails/and or screws, protruding through the front, bedroom laminated flooring. With all of these indicators visibly present, we contacted Grand Design customer service on Friday, April 25, 2025 and reported these visible warnings indicators to Grand Design customer service and requested pre-authorization for a stress test to be conducted in at attempt to determine if our RV had frame flex. On May 7, 2025 we took our RV to General RV in Draper, Utah to have this stress test completed. This test was paid for by Grand Design. The test concluded that our RV did in fact have frame flex and required repairs. General RV filed a claim, on our behalf, with Grand Design for the frame repairs, but NOT the interior damages to the RV as noted above. Grand Design approved the frame repairs under the 5 year frame warranty. This work on the frame was concluded on Friday, May 30, 2025. To date, we have been diligently working with General RV, Draper, Utah to have Grand Design approve the claim to have the interior damages repaired that are a direct affect of the frame flex damages, however, to date Grand Design has denied to approve this portion of the claim extended under the 5 year frame warranty.

NHTSA complaint #11669425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My fifth wheel has extreme frame flex which caused compartment doors to come open while traveling sometimes allowing things to fall out while traveling. Having a screw driver falling out and hitting another car was a major concern. Grand Design has the camper to address the frame flex. I believe the frame flex was the cause as sometimes the latches wouldn't engage.

NHTSA complaint #11664760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

My fifth wheel has extreme frame flex which caused compartment doors to come open while traveling sometimes allowing things to fall out while traveling. Having a screw driver falling out and hitting another car was a major concern. Grand Design has the camper to address the frame flex. I believe the frame flex was the cause as sometimes the latches wouldn't engage.

NHTSA complaint #11664760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Since we have purchased our RV we have had several issues with it. Since the first trip the entry door will not stay shut while in transit and continues through today We had requested the dealer check it out but the issue was not remedied. During the time we have owned the RV we have had to have the roof replaced due to poor workmanship at the factory. We had had the TSB for the rear compartment completed however the cargo doors are not aligned properly and one door on the driver side is starting to wear through the aluminum on the side. We have also had the rear cargo door pop open on more than one occasion. We have also had the TSB performed for the improper lag screws being installed at the factory. On one corner of the front of the frame which had cracked they used a 1/8th inch screw with a 1 inch washer instead of a 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch lag screw. The floor in the living room area is dropping up to 1/2 inch at the wall in the front and back of the slides. We have walls starting to separate in the coach as well as the stairs separating from the walls going into the kitchen and the bedroom. There is trim separating from the walls in the bedroom. While this is not the whole list of what is going on it is a good representation of the issues we are facing.

NHTSA complaint #11658816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Since we have purchased our RV we have had several issues with it. Since the first trip the entry door will not stay shut while in transit and continues through today We had requested the dealer check it out but the issue was not remedied. During the time we have owned the RV we have had to have the roof replaced due to poor workmanship at the factory. We had had the TSB for the rear compartment completed however the cargo doors are not aligned properly and one door on the driver side is starting to wear through the aluminum on the side. We have also had the rear cargo door pop open on more than one occasion. We have also had the TSB performed for the improper lag screws being installed at the factory. On one corner of the front of the frame which had cracked they used a 1/8th inch screw with a 1 inch washer instead of a 1/2 by 3 1/2 inch lag screw. The floor in the living room area is dropping up to 1/2 inch at the wall in the front and back of the slides. We have walls starting to separate in the coach as well as the stairs separating from the walls going into the kitchen and the bedroom. There is trim separating from the walls in the bedroom. While this is not the whole list of what is going on it is a good representation of the issues we are facing.

NHTSA complaint #11658816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Issue Description: On multiple occasions during travel, cargo doors and the main entry door have opened while the vehicle is in motion. We have been fortunate to notice the doors flying open, allowing us to quickly stop before losing any cargo. Cargo Risk: These compartments carry cargo. When the door flies open, there is a significant risk of cargo flying out of the vehicle. This creates a hazard for oncoming motorists, either through airborne cargo or cargo on the roadway. Evidence of Problems: Missing sidewall screws in front storage. Loose sidewall screws. Bulging on the frame on both edges adjacent to the pin box. Poor alignment of cargo door and entry door. Kitchen slide is binding, preventing proper opening and closing Symptoms / concerns of excessive frame flex

NHTSA complaint #11658590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Issue Description: On multiple occasions during travel, cargo doors and the main entry door have opened while the vehicle is in motion. We have been fortunate to notice the doors flying open, allowing us to quickly stop before losing any cargo. Cargo Risk: These compartments carry cargo. When the door flies open, there is a significant risk of cargo flying out of the vehicle. This creates a hazard for oncoming motorists, either through airborne cargo or cargo on the roadway. Evidence of Problems: Missing sidewall screws in front storage. Loose sidewall screws. Bulging on the frame on both edges adjacent to the pin box. Poor alignment of cargo door and entry door. Kitchen slide is binding, preventing proper opening and closing Symptoms / concerns of excessive frame flex

NHTSA complaint #11658590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

Issue Description: On multiple occasions during travel, cargo doors and the main entry door have opened while the vehicle is in motion. We have been fortunate to notice the doors flying open, allowing us to quickly stop before losing any cargo. Cargo Risk: These compartments carry cargo. When the door flies open, there is a significant risk of cargo flying out of the vehicle. This creates a hazard for oncoming motorists, either through airborne cargo or cargo on the roadway. Evidence of Problems: Missing sidewall screws in front storage. Loose sidewall screws. Bulging on the frame on both edges adjacent to the pin box. Poor alignment of cargo door and entry door. Kitchen slide is binding, preventing proper opening and closing Symptoms / concerns of excessive frame flex

NHTSA complaint #11658590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame failure. We had a fixed window fall off. Grand Design sent me a replacement window but I had to pay to have it installed. Then I had a trim piece fall off of the front-side and the identical piece on the opposite side was starting to come off. We also had sawdust appearing upfront when we would arrive to our destination and the front floor was starting to make noise when we walked. I also noticed the under-covering around the rv hitch going up into the rv when I hooked it up to my truck. Several screws have sheared in the compartment door frames. GD had the dealership take measurements/do test to confirm frame issues. GD sent a tech to Great American Rv, dealership in Hammond, Louisiana, to repair my camper along with several others. Supposedly the frame has been repaired, but the GD tech noted extra damages on the off door side of the RV. They said the relief cut on that side is still flexing and that there is a broke weld in the wall. GD stated that the broke weld falls outside of the structural warranty, but will only pay 1/2 of labor. Great American RV said there is another rv currently there with the same issue. It was dropped off at the dealership 12/19/2024 and is still being repaired.

NHTSA complaint #11647009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.