FaultScore

FaultScore report

2018 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo problems

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2018 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo with NHTSA between 2019 and 2025. The largest single group is the other & unspecified.

Not graded

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

How this is worked out

The numbers

18

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

6,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

100%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

How 2018 compares with every other Thor Motor Coach Palazzo

Click any bar to open that year's report.

13 14 16 17 18 19 20 22
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2018 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo

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

Other & Unspecified 8 44.4%

Median failure at 4,600 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 27.8%

Median failure at 9,800 miles

Body & Structure 3 16.7%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

Equipment & Accessories 2 11.1%

Median failure at 6,000 miles

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.

Dec 2019 peak 3 Jul 2025

Recalls on the 2018 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo

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 2023087 57 units in Canada

Structure

Issue: On certain motorhomes, the brackets for the front lower cap may not be attached properly. As a result, the brackets could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk: A bracket that detaches from a vehicle could create a road hazard for others and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Thor Motor Coach will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your motorhome to a dealership to inspect the brackets for the front cap and replace the mounting hardware. The dealership will also install new brackets, if necessary.

Recall 2020330 87 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

Issue: Certain motorhomes built on a Freightliner chassis could have a problem with the rear-mounted Power Distribution Module (PDM). This could cause the tail lights not to work properly. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2018-596. Vehicles that had an inspection, but did not have the PDM replaced under the previous recall, require a second repair under this recall. Safety Risk: Brake lights or turn signals that do not work could cause a following driver not to recognize that a vehicle ahead is braking or intends to turn. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Thor Motor Coach will notify owners by mail and instruct them to take their motorhome to a Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) authorized service facility to replace the PDM.

Recall 2017613 6,579 units in Canada

Accessories

On certain motorhomes equipped with Kidde fire extinguishers with black plastic handles and valves, the fire extinguishers may become clogged or require excessive force to activate. Also, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury, and fail to discharge. In case of fire, failure of the extinguisher to function could result in injury and/or property damage. Correction: Owners will be provided with instructions on how to inspect the fire extinguisher to see if it is recalled. Replacement fire extinguishers will be supplied by Kidde directly. Note: For more information about recalled fire extinguishers, please visit <a href="https://inmarmarketaction.com/kidde/Kidde284CA/">www.kidde.com</a>.

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

The most recent complaints

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

Glen Rose, TX

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Thor motorhome has several windows. The windows they installed are laminated windows, with two panes of glass and a seal or glue which connects the outer glass to the inner glass. The attachment method for the outer glass is ineffective. As a result, the outer glass pane comes loose from the inner and is prone to fall off or fly off at highway speeds. The risk is that the pane could strike another vehicle and possibly cause an accident. Already Thor has replaced two of the window units on this unit around 2021, not under warranty but as a customer courtesy. I now have a third window unit that is experiencing the same problem. It is apparent to me Thor has acknowledged there is a risk present when they replaced the other units. In addition, Thor has issued a recall for several year models after my year model. It seems clear they are aware there is a risk of window failure in model years outside of the recall. Unfortunately, they are unwilling to address the risk and hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11670844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Rose, TX

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

The Thor motorhome has several windows. The windows they installed are laminated windows, with two panes of glass and a seal or glue which connects the outer glass to the inner glass. The attachment method for the outer glass is ineffective. As a result, the outer glass pane comes loose from the inner and is prone to fall off or fly off at highway speeds. The risk is that the pane could strike another vehicle and possibly cause an accident. Already Thor has replaced two of the window units on this unit around 2021, not under warranty but as a customer courtesy. I now have a third window unit that is experiencing the same problem. It is apparent to me Thor has acknowledged there is a risk present when they replaced the other units. In addition, Thor has issued a recall for several year models after my year model. It seems clear they are aware there is a risk of window failure in model years outside of the recall. Unfortunately, they are unwilling to address the risk and hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11670844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Glen Rose, TX

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

The Thor motorhome has several windows. The windows they installed are laminated windows, with two panes of glass and a seal or glue which connects the outer glass to the inner glass. The attachment method for the outer glass is ineffective. As a result, the outer glass pane comes loose from the inner and is prone to fall off or fly off at highway speeds. The risk is that the pane could strike another vehicle and possibly cause an accident. Already Thor has replaced two of the window units on this unit around 2021, not under warranty but as a customer courtesy. I now have a third window unit that is experiencing the same problem. It is apparent to me Thor has acknowledged there is a risk present when they replaced the other units. In addition, Thor has issued a recall for several year models after my year model. It seems clear they are aware there is a risk of window failure in model years outside of the recall. Unfortunately, they are unwilling to address the risk and hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11670844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BEL AIR, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2018 THOR PALAZZO DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE FOGGED UP TO WHERE IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF AND HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #11624209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BEL AIR, MD

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

MY 2018 THOR PALAZZO DRIVERSIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS HAVE FOGGED UP TO WHERE IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF AND HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA complaint #11624209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benicia, CA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Hello NTSB, the frameless windows Thor used on my rv are all failing.. basically the adhesive used to glue the bottom rail onto the glass keeps failing. This week I had two windows fail. The top bunk window, and the emergency exit window. Both window (at separate times) failed while driving. Lucky I saw them break loose and my wife was able to grab the window before it flew off on the freeway and possibly caused a major accident or injury with flying glass at freeway speed. Again this is the 4th window failure in the last 3 years. All with the Same problem. Last summer I had the same problem with the bottom bunk window, however that window flew off somewhere in New Mexico. Unfortunately I have no idea if the large piece of glass flying off my rv at freeway speed hurt anyone or anything. I filed a NTSB report (just like this) last year, and the never received or heard anything back from you guys. A year later 2 more windows have failed. Reading other post in the palazzo Facebook page, window failure (as I’m describing) is a very common occurrence. So much so, the 2017 and 2016 units have the recall on the windows. However the 2018’s are not included in that recall, but are obviously having the same problem. Please investigate this. Thor and the windows manufacturer HELM, are aware of the problem. So much so they sent me a new window and frame for the one I lost at no cost. Taking with HELM, they said they see this a lot.

NHTSA complaint #11598796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The LP gas line running to the rear mounted water heater started leaking and when removed you see where the hose was burned due to faulty engineering of hanger supports or improper installation. I have the current hose and have pictures of the engine compartment and the burned hose. No insurance claim or manufacturer contact was initiated. If you were to drive with the LP system energized and fire or explosion could occur with propane leaking into the engine compartment. The LP leak system did not detect the leak as it is located in the living area by the stove. A secondary sensor in now being installed in the sleeping area which is right next to the area where the hose was installed. The only warning was our ability to smell the propane and shut the tank operating valve.

NHTSA complaint #11593952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Clarita, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Recall 21-E-047 was a recall on HERH window assemblies. The window adhesion is faulty and causes the window to separate from the vent bracket. I experienced this with my Palazzo. While traveling this last weekend a window broke free and came close to smashing into the car behind me. An absolute nightmare. Not only a major distraction to the RV driver but a potential fatal hazard if the window smashes into a trailing drivers windshield. I contacted lippert and sent photos and VIN. I was advised my coach VIN didn't fit within the VIN sequence they identified. Therefore they take no responsibility for the faulty part. This seems erroneous. If I supply the same evidence of the issue prompting the recall and the part is an OEM assembly I would expect they would be obligated to fix. This is a major safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11586377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Greeneville, TN

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2018 Thor Palazzo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, through the sideview mirror, he observed movement of the driver's side awning window, prompting him to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. After a visual inspection, he observed that the glass panel within the awning window was detached. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V339000 (Visibility), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000.

NHTSA complaint #11568565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elberfeld, IN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear emergency exit window fell off during travel. Being a large motorhome I do not know where or when it happened and was noticed upon arrival at home. It is likely it came detached in traffic. I do have the make or model of the window but the Thor DAX # is 0273323.

NHTSA complaint #11554359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benicia, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The coach windows on the RV keep failing. Last year I had two windows fail on my drive to Wyoming. The sealant that hold the window bracket comes detached from the glass widow. When that happens the window flaps is the wind and if the window swing higher than 45 degrees, the window can slide off the top rail, and become a projectile for anyone traveling behind me. Since my windows didn’t fall off, I bought new sealant and reattached the rails back to my glass. Those two windows have been good since. Then this summer I lost and different body window (lower bunk). But this time, the window just flew off without me noticing. I sure hope it didn’t cause an accident or injury anyone. Lippert is the manufacturer of the window. And they have a recall on them, however the recall ends 2 month before my unit was built. So they say I don’t qualify for the recall. However I have had 3 windows fail for the sale reason and cause as the recall that ends 2 month before my unit was built. The recall window obviously needs to be expanded as many more units are effected. Talking with other owners of the same model on my Facebook group, this is a know problem. With a lot of failures. Someone is going to get injured when a window falls on the road and causes a accident or possibly even death.

NHTSA complaint #11539433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benicia, CA

STRUCTURE

The coach windows on the RV keep failing. Last year I had two windows fail on my drive to Wyoming. The sealant that hold the window bracket comes detached from the glass widow. When that happens the window flaps is the wind and if the window swing higher than 45 degrees, the window can slide off the top rail, and become a projectile for anyone traveling behind me. Since my windows didn’t fall off, I bought new sealant and reattached the rails back to my glass. Those two windows have been good since. Then this summer I lost and different body window (lower bunk). But this time, the window just flew off without me noticing. I sure hope it didn’t cause an accident or injury anyone. Lippert is the manufacturer of the window. And they have a recall on them, however the recall ends 2 month before my unit was built. So they say I don’t qualify for the recall. However I have had 3 windows fail for the sale reason and cause as the recall that ends 2 month before my unit was built. The recall window obviously needs to be expanded as many more units are effected. Talking with other owners of the same model on my Facebook group, this is a know problem. With a lot of failures. Someone is going to get injured when a window falls on the road and causes a accident or possibly even death.

NHTSA complaint #11539433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilder, ID

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

floor of storage area is failing this could cause items in storage to fall out while driving. the items that fall out could be hit by the tires of the motorhome or hit another vehicle causing a serious accident.

NHTSA complaint #11465560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northport, NY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

The Hehr-Lippert windows installed on this Thor motorhome have a design flaw where the adhesive between the outer glass and mounting frame becomes weak when expose to the sun/heat and can fly off the coach at speed and become a trajectory. The Hehr-Lippert side windows installed on this Thor motorhome in the driver and passenger areas can fog between the glass causing poor side and mirror visibility.

NHTSA complaint #11419475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,600 miles Leona Valley, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVERS SIDE REAR BEDROOM VENT WINDOW HAS DELAMINATED TWICE, FIRST IN OCT. 2019 (REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY) AND AGAIN IN JAN 2020 (STILL AT DEALERSHIP SERVICE AWAITING REPLACEMENT FROM LCI/THOR. BOTH TIMES, I WAS FORTUNATE TO DISCOVER THE SEPARATION BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING MY PRE-TRIP WALKAROUNDS, THUS AVOIDING THE DANGER OF THE OUTER GLASS FLYING OFF THE RV AND INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO IN DEC. 2019, THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) FIXED DUAL PANE WINDOW STARTED TO SHOW FOGGING WHEN EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (NO ACTION TAKEN YET TO REPLACE IT)

NHTSA complaint #11311899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 4,600 miles Leona Valley, CA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVERS SIDE REAR BEDROOM VENT WINDOW HAS DELAMINATED TWICE, FIRST IN OCT. 2019 (REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY) AND AGAIN IN JAN 2020 (STILL AT DEALERSHIP SERVICE AWAITING REPLACEMENT FROM LCI/THOR. BOTH TIMES, I WAS FORTUNATE TO DISCOVER THE SEPARATION BEFORE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING MY PRE-TRIP WALKAROUNDS, THUS AVOIDING THE DANGER OF THE OUTER GLASS FLYING OFF THE RV AND INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO IN DEC. 2019, THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) FIXED DUAL PANE WINDOW STARTED TO SHOW FOGGING WHEN EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT (NO ACTION TAKEN YET TO REPLACE IT)

NHTSA complaint #11311899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Beverly Hills, FL

STRUCTURE

THE FRONT CABINET ABOVE THE FRONT DASH INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND OTHER OPERATOR CONTROLS DETACHED FROM THE CEILING AND BEGAN FALLING DOWN. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE RV WAS IN MOTION. HAD IT COMPLETELY DETACHED CONTROL OF THE RV WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. THE SCREWS HOLDING THE CABINET FRONT PULLED OUT OF THE WHERE THEY WERE SCREWED IN ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE CABINET TO FALL.*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR*DT*JB*DT CONSUMER SAYS THAT THERE WERE NO RV DEALERS NEARBY SO THEY REFASTENED THE SCREWS AS A STOP GAP MEASURE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #11291907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,000 miles Beverly Hills, FL

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

THE FRONT CABINET ABOVE THE FRONT DASH INCLUDING THE STEERING WHEEL AND OTHER OPERATOR CONTROLS DETACHED FROM THE CEILING AND BEGAN FALLING DOWN. THIS OCCURRED WHILE THE RV WAS IN MOTION. HAD IT COMPLETELY DETACHED CONTROL OF THE RV WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST. THE SCREWS HOLDING THE CABINET FRONT PULLED OUT OF THE WHERE THEY WERE SCREWED IN ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE CABINET TO FALL.*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR*DT*JB*DT CONSUMER SAYS THAT THERE WERE NO RV DEALERS NEARBY SO THEY REFASTENED THE SCREWS AS A STOP GAP MEASURE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #11291907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.