Filed 26 Jul 2024 Edinburgh, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

There is a electric privacy shade inside my RV for the windshield. My motor failed in the down position. I tried to get a replacement motor but none is available. I emailed the manufacturer of the shade and they gave me a replacement part number, this is where the safety issue comes in. The original motor has two memories built into it, four wires to control it. With the key off, while you are camping, you can press the SHADE down button and the shade will go down on its own and stop in the correct position. Same thing when you press the SHADE up button, this is memory ONE. Any time you have the ignition key on the shade goes into memory TWO mode and will raise the shade to about half way up on the windshield on its own. You can, while driving, raise the shade more than half way but never lower than about half way. SAFETY FEATURE! The replacement motor Irvine Shade and Door said to use has only one memory with two wires. So now my RV has no safety feature with the key on to keep the shade from going all the way down while driving. My switch is on the lower left of my dash with three other identical buttons, hard to see which button is which driving down the road. What if I hit the wrong button and the shade automatically goes all the way down on its own while driving. I think the manufacturer needs to have this motor put back into production again and make it available to the public. I know that my RV is not the only one with this shade motor and that IRVINE is not the only one using this motor on the windshield shades.

NHTSA complaint #11604663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Jul 2024 Edinburgh, IN

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

There is a electric privacy shade inside my RV for the windshield. My motor failed in the down position. I tried to get a replacement motor but none is available. I emailed the manufacturer of the shade and they gave me a replacement part number, this is where the safety issue comes in. The original motor has two memories built into it, four wires to control it. With the key off, while you are camping, you can press the SHADE down button and the shade will go down on its own and stop in the correct position. Same thing when you press the SHADE up button, this is memory ONE. Any time you have the ignition key on the shade goes into memory TWO mode and will raise the shade to about half way up on the windshield on its own. You can, while driving, raise the shade more than half way but never lower than about half way. SAFETY FEATURE! The replacement motor Irvine Shade and Door said to use has only one memory with two wires. So now my RV has no safety feature with the key on to keep the shade from going all the way down while driving. My switch is on the lower left of my dash with three other identical buttons, hard to see which button is which driving down the road. What if I hit the wrong button and the shade automatically goes all the way down on its own while driving. I think the manufacturer needs to have this motor put back into production again and make it available to the public. I know that my RV is not the only one with this shade motor and that IRVINE is not the only one using this motor on the windshield shades.

NHTSA complaint #11604663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jan 2023 Pflugerville, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

The adhesive bond between the panes of glass on the driver’s side frameless window has failed. Approximately 80% of the adhesive has failed allowing the front of the glass to detach. I not only fear it will now fall out while driving, but it is also constantly fogged up and hard to see my mirror. This is a large piece of glass. Thor (the manufacture) has done nothing more than inform me that the warranty period for my bus has ended.

NHTSA complaint #11504212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 12 Oct 2021 Alvarado, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY

We had a cargo door skin failure while driving on I20 in Dallas on a windy day, 2/1/21. We have a 2017 Miramar which is the cousin of the Challenger. It peeled off while driving and went airborne behind us. We were stunned as we heard the peeling off and saw the launch of the cargo door skin. It broke the lock from the door frame as well. Miraculously, it landed on the side of the highway while motorists were swerving to miss the projectile. We stopped and checked all the doors including the outside kitchen, all of which are in the debonding process. We have an extended platinum RV warranty which did not cover the damaged cargo doors, as well as our RV insurance, which said it is a manufacturing issue. Initially Thor denied that could happen but the RV forums advise to use the code word Mishawaka and the threat of a lawsuit. The cargo and kitchen doors are becoming deboned and the vehicle is unsafe to drive until the doors are repaired. We learned that this is not a one-off and that several RV owners are d3aling with this issue.

NHTSA complaint #11436500 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jun 2020 at 7,200 miles Peoria, AZ

STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON LOOP 303 ARIZONA AT APPROX 60 MPH IN THE MOTORHOME WHEN VEHICLES PASSING STARTED MAKING HAND GESTURES AS IF SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH MOTORHOME. I PULLED THE MOTORHOME ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY AND UPON EXITING AND BEGINNING TO CHECK THE OUTSIDE OF THE MOTORHOME I FOUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE ONE OF CARGO DOORS OUTER SKIN HAD SEPARATED FROM THE CARGO DOOR BACK TO THE HATCH HANDLE WHICH HAD STOPPED THE DOOR SKIN FROM COMPLETELY COMING OFF. THE CARGO DOOR WAS THE FIRST DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE FRONT THAT IS FOR THE COACH BATTERY COMPARTMENT. AT TIME OF INCIDENT THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC AND WEATHER DRY WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE WIND. IT APPEARED TO ME THAT THE DOOR SKIN DEBONDED AND SEPARATED FROM THE DOOR AND THE WIND BEGAN TO PEEL, PUSH THE DOOR SKIN BACK. THE DOOR HATCH HANDLE WAS WHAT STOPPED THE DOOR SKIN FROM BEING TOTALLY REMOVED AND STRIKING A VEHICLE OR MOTORCYCLE. (HAVING 27 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT MADE THIS INCIDENT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.) IN SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THOR MOTORHOMES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE ONE I KNOW OF CLAIMED TO HAVE FILED WITH NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #11329249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Aug 2019 at 1,500 miles Merritt Island, FL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR MIRAMAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR ERRONEOUSLY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN AT THE TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS MOLD CONTAMINATION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ROOF, SIDE WALLS, AND CEILING THAT CAUSED WATER TO LEAK ONTO THE FLOOR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE RV REPAIRED AT LA MESA RV CENTER SANFORD (LOCATED AT 4441 ORANGE BLVD, SANFORD, FL 32771, (833) 891-7134), THE RV WAS SHIPPED TO THE THOR MANUFACTURER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SIDE WALL WAS CUT TOO LARGE WHERE THE HEAT RETURN WAS LOCATED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAL TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE. SEVERAL MOLD TESTS PROVED POSITIVE FOR MOLD. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROOF FAN ENCLOSURE ALSO ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING THE RV; HOWEVER, THE MOLD FAILURE WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONTACT'S CONCERNS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA complaint #11244988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 19 Aug 2019 at 1,500 miles Merritt Island, FL

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR MIRAMAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR ERRONEOUSLY INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN A GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHICH GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY IN AT THE TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS MOLD CONTAMINATION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE ROOF, SIDE WALLS, AND CEILING THAT CAUSED WATER TO LEAK ONTO THE FLOOR. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE RV REPAIRED AT LA MESA RV CENTER SANFORD (LOCATED AT 4441 ORANGE BLVD, SANFORD, FL 32771, (833) 891-7134), THE RV WAS SHIPPED TO THE THOR MANUFACTURER TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SIDE WALL WAS CUT TOO LARGE WHERE THE HEAT RETURN WAS LOCATED, WHICH CAUSED THE SEAL TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE. SEVERAL MOLD TESTS PROVED POSITIVE FOR MOLD. ADDITIONALLY, THE ROOF FAN ENCLOSURE ALSO ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE CABIN OF THE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RETURNING THE RV; HOWEVER, THE MOLD FAILURE WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CONTACT'S CONCERNS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA complaint #11244988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 Jul 2019 at 15,202 miles Gainesville, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR MIRAMAR 34.4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ALUMINUM SKIN ON THE COMPARTMENT DOOR ATTACHED TO THE OUTDOOR KITCHEN DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE, FOLLOWED BY THE ACTUAL DOOR. THE CONTACT PULLED THE RV OVER, DROVE TO A SERVICE STATION, AND USED DUCT TAPE TO COVER THE PARTS OF THE VEHICLE THAT DETACHED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11240887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Jun 2019 at 6,000 miles South Windsor, CT

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO REV BEYOND 4K RPMS RESULTING IN DRIVER ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN WHICH INCREASED THE RPMS EVEN MORE AND ADDING TO CONTROL ISSUE. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES ON HILLS WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. CAUSED PANIC IN THE VEHICLE BY PASSENGERS WHO THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE AND ALSO THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. FORD SAYS THIS IS BUILT IN AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. I SAY IF YOU NEED THE ENGINE TO SLOW YOU THEN YOU PROBABLY HAVE UNDER SIZE BRAKES. IT WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER TO REPLACE BRAKE THEN ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE HELP ALL US RVERS WITH THESE V10 FORD ENGINES&TRANS THERE ARE A LOT OF US ON THE ROAD. ALL THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA complaint #11217784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Jun 2019 at 6,000 miles South Windsor, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO REV BEYOND 4K RPMS RESULTING IN DRIVER ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN WHICH INCREASED THE RPMS EVEN MORE AND ADDING TO CONTROL ISSUE. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES ON HILLS WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. CAUSED PANIC IN THE VEHICLE BY PASSENGERS WHO THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE AND ALSO THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. FORD SAYS THIS IS BUILT IN AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. I SAY IF YOU NEED THE ENGINE TO SLOW YOU THEN YOU PROBABLY HAVE UNDER SIZE BRAKES. IT WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER TO REPLACE BRAKE THEN ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE HELP ALL US RVERS WITH THESE V10 FORD ENGINES&TRANS THERE ARE A LOT OF US ON THE ROAD. ALL THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA complaint #11217784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 Jun 2019 at 6,000 miles South Windsor, CT

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING ENGINE TO REV BEYOND 4K RPMS RESULTING IN DRIVER ALMOST LOSING CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL DOWN WHICH INCREASED THE RPMS EVEN MORE AND ADDING TO CONTROL ISSUE. THIS OCCURRED MANY TIMES ON HILLS WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL. CAUSED PANIC IN THE VEHICLE BY PASSENGERS WHO THOUGHT THE ENGINE WAS GOING TO EXPLODE AND ALSO THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED. FORD SAYS THIS IS BUILT IN AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. I SAY IF YOU NEED THE ENGINE TO SLOW YOU THEN YOU PROBABLY HAVE UNDER SIZE BRAKES. IT WOULD BE A LOT CHEAPER TO REPLACE BRAKE THEN ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE HELP ALL US RVERS WITH THESE V10 FORD ENGINES&TRANS THERE ARE A LOT OF US ON THE ROAD. ALL THIS OCCURRED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS.

NHTSA complaint #11217784 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Feb 2018 at 1,400 miles Port ST. Lucie, FL

SEATS

DRIVER SEAT UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. WIPERS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. PROPANE HEATER SEVERELY OVER HEATS UNDER CABINET THAT IS RIGHT NEXT TO OVEN/STOVE CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. HOOD OF VEHICLE AND SIDE LOCKERS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY AND LOCKING MECHANISMS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FLOORING, LEVELING JACKS,DOORS AND WALLS, SLIDES, LADDER,AWNING, MOLDING, DROP DOWN BED,CUP HOLDERS, STORAGE LOCKERS, CABINET, AC UNIT, WIPERS ENTRY DOOR AND SIDEWALLS WERE ALSO DAMAGED.