Owners have filed 11 complaints
about the 2017 Jayco Precept with NHTSA between 2018 and 2025.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 3 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 — 43
Against the median year of the Jayco Precept. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 47
9.1% 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%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2017 Jayco Precept
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
327.3%
Median failure at 9,825 miles
Engine & Cooling
218.2%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 12,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
19.1%
Equipment & Accessories
19.1%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Suspension
19.1%
Body & Structure
19.1%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Brakes
19.1%
Median failure at 29,000 miles
Steering
19.1%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
116.7%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
233.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
350.0%
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 2018peak 3Aug 2025
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 12,000 milesHemet, CAFire
ENGINE
TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JAYCO PRECEPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN USE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS HEATED UP TO AN EXTENT WHERE A PLASTIC STORAGE BIN ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED TO MELT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF MELTED PLASTIC WHICH ALERTED HIM TO THE ISSUE. RICHARDSON'S RV CENTER LOCATED AT 26776 ENCANTO DR, SUN CITY, CA 92585, (866)864-9810 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT*JB VIN NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST IS PART OF THE OVERHEATING MAY BE DUE TO THE SOCK ON THE AIR INTAKE. IT WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE USED ON THE INTAKE WHEN THE COMPLETED FRAME WAS SITTING OUTSIDE, WAITING FOR THE BUILD. IT WAS ON THERE TO KEEP THE BUGS, BIRDS AND CRITTERS OUT. NOT SURE OF THE TRUTH ON THIS, BUT I REMOVED THE YELLOW INTAKE SOCK OFF OF MY MOTORHOME INTAKE TODAY.*JB *DT
NHTSA complaint #11242053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 29,000 milesPort Jefferson Station, NY
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2017 Jayco Precept built on a 2016 Ford Motorhome Chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the RV. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and stopped the RV. The RV was towed to the local repair center, where it was diagnosed and determined that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto the exhaust pipes, causing the smoke. The contact was informed that several support welds had fractured and caused the hydraulic fluid lines to fail and leak hydraulic fluid. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that several support welds located at the rear of the RV had sheared off, causing the body of the RV to lower. The RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesPort Jefferson Station, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2017 Jayco Precept built on a 2016 Ford Motorhome Chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the RV. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and stopped the RV. The RV was towed to the local repair center, where it was diagnosed and determined that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto the exhaust pipes, causing the smoke. The contact was informed that several support welds had fractured and caused the hydraulic fluid lines to fail and leak hydraulic fluid. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that several support welds located at the rear of the RV had sheared off, causing the body of the RV to lower. The RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesPort Jefferson Station, NY
EQUIPMENT
The contact owns a 2017 Jayco Precept built on a 2016 Ford Motorhome Chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the RV. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and stopped the RV. The RV was towed to the local repair center, where it was diagnosed and determined that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto the exhaust pipes, causing the smoke. The contact was informed that several support welds had fractured and caused the hydraulic fluid lines to fail and leak hydraulic fluid. Additionally, the mechanic informed the contact that several support welds located at the rear of the RV had sheared off, causing the body of the RV to lower. The RV was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 29,000.
NHTSA complaint #11678183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
STEERING
I recently purchased a used Jayco Precept 31 UL motorhome that is on a Ford F53 chassis. After the purchase I found that the vehicle handled very dangerously when being passed by a large trucks, or when there were crosswinds or medium strength winds. The problem was bad enough the I narrowly avoided accidents caused by being pushed around by passing 18 wheel trucks or crosswinds, or both. After doing some research on this vehicle, and others on the Ford F53 chassis I found that these handling issues are the number one problem with these units. I subsequently had to invest over $6K to correct these handling problems as they were the result of the ineffective stock suspension configuration from the factory. I had to install a steering stabilizer (Safe-T-Plus), a rear track bar (SuperSteer), front radius rods (SuperSteer), new special damping shocks (Koni FSD shocks) and an adjustable drag link (unsure of the manufacturer). All these modifications collectively changed the handling of the RV from a huge safety hazard to a well heeled and safe handling vehicle. These changes should have been included as standard safety equipment directly from the factory. It is incomprehensible to me that a vehicle of this size should be allowed to be leave the factory and be on the road with such dangerous handling issues. If you do the research you will find many owners of these units who struggle with the same issues and who have had many near misses or accidents on the road as a result. Recreation Vehicles built on the Ford F53 chassis need to be highly regulated and inspected to ensure that they leave the factory with the safest configuration of suspension, chassis and steering equipment available. These vehicles should all be placed under a recall to have the manufacturer(s) install, at their expense, the handling modification I outlined above.
NHTSA complaint #11446611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I recently purchased a used Jayco Precept 31 UL motorhome that is on a Ford F53 chassis. After the purchase I found that the vehicle handled very dangerously when being passed by a large trucks, or when there were crosswinds or medium strength winds. The problem was bad enough the I narrowly avoided accidents caused by being pushed around by passing 18 wheel trucks or crosswinds, or both. After doing some research on this vehicle, and others on the Ford F53 chassis I found that these handling issues are the number one problem with these units. I subsequently had to invest over $6K to correct these handling problems as they were the result of the ineffective stock suspension configuration from the factory. I had to install a steering stabilizer (Safe-T-Plus), a rear track bar (SuperSteer), front radius rods (SuperSteer), new special damping shocks (Koni FSD shocks) and an adjustable drag link (unsure of the manufacturer). All these modifications collectively changed the handling of the RV from a huge safety hazard to a well heeled and safe handling vehicle. These changes should have been included as standard safety equipment directly from the factory. It is incomprehensible to me that a vehicle of this size should be allowed to be leave the factory and be on the road with such dangerous handling issues. If you do the research you will find many owners of these units who struggle with the same issues and who have had many near misses or accidents on the road as a result. Recreation Vehicles built on the Ford F53 chassis need to be highly regulated and inspected to ensure that they leave the factory with the safest configuration of suspension, chassis and steering equipment available. These vehicles should all be placed under a recall to have the manufacturer(s) install, at their expense, the handling modification I outlined above.
NHTSA complaint #11446611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln, NE
SUSPENSION
I recently purchased a used Jayco Precept 31 UL motorhome that is on a Ford F53 chassis. After the purchase I found that the vehicle handled very dangerously when being passed by a large trucks, or when there were crosswinds or medium strength winds. The problem was bad enough the I narrowly avoided accidents caused by being pushed around by passing 18 wheel trucks or crosswinds, or both. After doing some research on this vehicle, and others on the Ford F53 chassis I found that these handling issues are the number one problem with these units. I subsequently had to invest over $6K to correct these handling problems as they were the result of the ineffective stock suspension configuration from the factory. I had to install a steering stabilizer (Safe-T-Plus), a rear track bar (SuperSteer), front radius rods (SuperSteer), new special damping shocks (Koni FSD shocks) and an adjustable drag link (unsure of the manufacturer). All these modifications collectively changed the handling of the RV from a huge safety hazard to a well heeled and safe handling vehicle. These changes should have been included as standard safety equipment directly from the factory. It is incomprehensible to me that a vehicle of this size should be allowed to be leave the factory and be on the road with such dangerous handling issues. If you do the research you will find many owners of these units who struggle with the same issues and who have had many near misses or accidents on the road as a result. Recreation Vehicles built on the Ford F53 chassis need to be highly regulated and inspected to ensure that they leave the factory with the safest configuration of suspension, chassis and steering equipment available. These vehicles should all be placed under a recall to have the manufacturer(s) install, at their expense, the handling modification I outlined above.
NHTSA complaint #11446611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennesaw, GA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
I purchased a 2017 Jayco Precept 36T on 9/16/2017 and have had issues with it, most that have been handled by Jayco, including a slideout. However, the Windshield Wipers have been a problem for the last 3 years that I have owned it. The Driver's Side Wiper, when being operated, goes too far to the side and goes off the vehicle, flopping off to the side. Camping World has tried to repair it several times, supposedly with Jayco's help, and has failed every time. Open Roads tried to repair it and failed on their first attempt. I am taking it back to them and verifying that they contact Jayco for help in repairing it correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11422875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainfield, IL
ENGINE
The exhaust is melting the rear wheel liner and damaging the rear wheel
NHTSA complaint #11420963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,750 milesSandusky, OH
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DRIVERS WINDSHIELD WIPER FLOPS ALL THE WAY TO THE FAR LEFT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND PAST THE EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD, CATCHING AND MARRING THE WINDOW AND FLIPPING THE WIPER ARM MAKING IT USELESS. CANNOT USE THE WIPER.*DT
NHTSA complaint #11386598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesHemet, CAFire
ENGINE
TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JAYCO PRECEPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN USE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS HEATED UP TO AN EXTENT WHERE A PLASTIC STORAGE BIN ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED TO MELT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF MELTED PLASTIC WHICH ALERTED HIM TO THE ISSUE. RICHARDSON'S RV CENTER LOCATED AT 26776 ENCANTO DR, SUN CITY, CA 92585, (866)864-9810 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE RV WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED VIA EMAIL AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. *DT*JB VIN NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATED THE LATEST IS PART OF THE OVERHEATING MAY BE DUE TO THE SOCK ON THE AIR INTAKE. IT WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE USED ON THE INTAKE WHEN THE COMPLETED FRAME WAS SITTING OUTSIDE, WAITING FOR THE BUILD. IT WAS ON THERE TO KEEP THE BUGS, BIRDS AND CRITTERS OUT. NOT SURE OF THE TRUTH ON THIS, BUT I REMOVED THE YELLOW INTAKE SOCK OFF OF MY MOTORHOME INTAKE TODAY.*JB *DT
NHTSA complaint #11242053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,900 milesWaukesha, WI
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED'WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HIGH SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE AN ARM LIFT AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD, SLAMMING BACK DOWN WHEN IT REACHES THE FAR LEFT END OF ITS TRAVEL. THE WIPER ARM LIFTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AS THERE IS NO CLEARING OF THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #11133083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.