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FaultScore report

2003 National RV Dolphin problems

Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 2003 National RV Dolphin with NHTSA between 2003 and 2009. The largest single group is the brakes.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the National RV Dolphin All 2003 cars
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

13

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

3,073 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

89%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2003 compares with every other National RV Dolphin

Click any bar to open that year's report.

3 4 4 3 2 13 7 3 4
96 98 00 01 02 03 05 06 07
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 National RV Dolphin

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 6 46.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 15,000 mi

Electrical System 2 15.4%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 1,828 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 7.7%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 7.7%

Median failure at 37,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 1 7.7%
Body & Structure 1 7.7%

Median failure at 2,364 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 7.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 3,073 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 11.1%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 4 44.4%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 3 33.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 1 11.1%

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.

Jun 2003 peak 4 Jun 2009

Recalls on the 2003 National RV Dolphin

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2007156 345 units in Canada

Other

On certain motorhomes, conventional travel trailers and fifth wheel travel trailers equipped with a Dometic Corporation refrigerator, a fatigue crack can develop in the boiler tube. This could allow the release of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source is present, which could result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the refrigerator's boiler tube assembly.

Recall 2006334 56 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of CMVSS 101 and 105. Incorrect software programmed into the instrument panel cluster may not allow activation of certain driver warning indicators. As a result, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the warning lamps indicating brake system failure. Correction: Workhorse Custom Chassis dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster.

Recall 2003077 46 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

On certain vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or when the brake fluid is low. Correction: The brake warning indicator bulb from the right side indicator position must be transferred to the left side indicator position of the instrument cluster and the wire harness must be modified.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 3,073 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NINE WEEKS OLD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A FLAMMABLE FLUID. THERE WAS A LIQUID TRAIL ABOUT ONE FOOT WIDE AND 100 YARDS LONG ON THE ROAD WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MOTORHOME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NARROWED DOWN TO EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE BRAKE LINE. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10022797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,073 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NINE WEEKS OLD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A FLAMMABLE FLUID. THERE WAS A LIQUID TRAIL ABOUT ONE FOOT WIDE AND 100 YARDS LONG ON THE ROAD WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MOTORHOME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NARROWED DOWN TO EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE BRAKE LINE. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10022797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,070 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY CONSUMER. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10022320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 15,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NATIONAL DOLPHIN RV. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRONT BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE ALSO REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKES, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL REPAIR SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10273909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 23,640 miles Oxnard, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MILEAGE: 23640 BRAKES ON MY RV (WORKHORSE W22 2003 CHASIS) LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND DASH ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AND REAR WHEEL SENSORS. MILEAGE: 23765 DATE:11-7-07 - BRAKES AGAIN LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED ABS CONTROL MODULE, WHEEL SENSORS, FRONT HUB SEALS, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FLUSH BRAKE SYSTEM, ADD NEW FLUID, & BLEED SYSTEM. MILEAGE:31990 DATE:10-15-08 - FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, OVERHEATED, ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACE FRONT ROTORS, CALIPERS, HUB SEALS, PADS, WHEEL SENSORS, FLUSH, REPLACE FLUID, AND BLEED BRAKE SYSTEM. MILEAGE:33052 DATE: 10-30-08 - FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, OVERHEATING, ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FRONT BRAKES CHECKED & HAD NO DAMAGE. REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, CLEARED CODE, CHECKED SYSTEM,ETC.

NHTSA complaint #10249044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Pompano Beach, FL

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE WAS NOT RELEASING. BOTH FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES BECAUSE THE CALIPERS OVERHEATED AND BECAME STUCK. THE BRAKES WERE LESS THAN 20% WORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA complaint #10200997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 37,000 miles Eldorado Hills, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE ON THE 2003 DOLPHIN LX MOTOR HOME STARTED LEAKING GAS ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT HAS THE FUEL TANK AND THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE FUEL TANK WITH THE CRACKS IN IT. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07.

NHTSA complaint #10180831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,364 miles Norristown, PA

STRUCTURE

THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, SUN LIGHT REFLECTED ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED A GLARE IN THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS RESULTED IN POOR OR NO VISIBILITY. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10071963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goleta, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10053377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goleta, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10053377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goleta, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10053377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Goleta, CA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10053377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 587 miles Moreno Valley, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THE PCM/TCM FUSE BLEW WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUSE 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK INCIDENT WAS TRACED TO A CHAFFED WIRE ON A METAL CLAMP WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PH

NHTSA complaint #10034248 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,073 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NINE WEEKS OLD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A FLAMMABLE FLUID. THERE WAS A LIQUID TRAIL ABOUT ONE FOOT WIDE AND 100 YARDS LONG ON THE ROAD WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MOTORHOME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NARROWED DOWN TO EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE BRAKE LINE. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10022797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,073 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS NINE WEEKS OLD WHEN THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SOURCE OF THE FIRE WAS A FLAMMABLE FLUID. THERE WAS A LIQUID TRAIL ABOUT ONE FOOT WIDE AND 100 YARDS LONG ON THE ROAD WHICH LEAD UP TO THE MOTORHOME. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE WAS NARROWED DOWN TO EITHER THE TRANSMISSION OR THE BRAKE LINE. *SCC *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10022797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,070 miles Port Charlotte, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY CONSUMER. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10022320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.