2022 Thor Motor Coach Scope problems

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

This is a Thor Scope RV built on the Promaster 1500 platform. The incident involves the Onan gasoline powered generator, which is directly connected to the fuel tank. Next to the generator in the fuel line, there is a small white inline fuel filter connected by the fuel hose going over a nipple on the filter and reinforced by a hose clamp. In my case, the hose clamp was not installed sufficiently over the nipple (far enough back on the fuel hose that it did not completely engage the nipple), and presumably from vibration associated with the generator operation and driving, the hose fully detached from the nipple and spilled fuel in an uncontrolled manner until I smelled/noticed it coming out from under the vehicle. There was certainly sufficient fuel to have started a major fire if it had reached an ignition source. Fortunately, I was able to get under the vehicle and push the parts back together once the problem was noticed. But, this would not have been possible if there were any ignition sources nearby. Fortunately, the vehicle was parked and off when the spill occurred. Had I not been able to stop the leak, it is my understanding that 3/4 of the tank would have drained since I've been told that the intake is located at the 1/4 full level of the tank to prevent the generator from running the vehicle completely out of fuel. Photos attached show the part after I pushed the hose back on and tried to reposition the hose clamp closer to the center of the filter. This was very difficult to do while laying on the ground under the vehicle, so I didn't get it on as far as I would have preferred until I was able to get the vehicle to a place where I could elevate it and get better access.

NHTSA complaint #11703377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

This is a Thor Scope RV built on the Promaster 1500 platform. The incident involves the Onan gasoline powered generator, which is directly connected to the fuel tank. Next to the generator in the fuel line, there is a small white inline fuel filter connected by the fuel hose going over a nipple on the filter and reinforced by a hose clamp. In my case, the hose clamp was not installed sufficiently over the nipple (far enough back on the fuel hose that it did not completely engage the nipple), and presumably from vibration associated with the generator operation and driving, the hose fully detached from the nipple and spilled fuel in an uncontrolled manner until I smelled/noticed it coming out from under the vehicle. There was certainly sufficient fuel to have started a major fire if it had reached an ignition source. Fortunately, I was able to get under the vehicle and push the parts back together once the problem was noticed. But, this would not have been possible if there were any ignition sources nearby. Fortunately, the vehicle was parked and off when the spill occurred. Had I not been able to stop the leak, it is my understanding that 3/4 of the tank would have drained since I've been told that the intake is located at the 1/4 full level of the tank to prevent the generator from running the vehicle completely out of fuel. Photos attached show the part after I pushed the hose back on and tried to reposition the hose clamp closer to the center of the filter. This was very difficult to do while laying on the ground under the vehicle, so I didn't get it on as far as I would have preferred until I was able to get the vehicle to a place where I could elevate it and get better access.

NHTSA complaint #11703377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ACCESSORY GENERATOR

This is a Thor Scope RV built on the Promaster 1500 platform. The incident involves the Onan gasoline powered generator, which is directly connected to the fuel tank. Next to the generator in the fuel line, there is a small white inline fuel filter connected by the fuel hose going over a nipple on the filter and reinforced by a hose clamp. In my case, the hose clamp was not installed sufficiently over the nipple (far enough back on the fuel hose that it did not completely engage the nipple), and presumably from vibration associated with the generator operation and driving, the hose fully detached from the nipple and spilled fuel in an uncontrolled manner until I smelled/noticed it coming out from under the vehicle. There was certainly sufficient fuel to have started a major fire if it had reached an ignition source. Fortunately, I was able to get under the vehicle and push the parts back together once the problem was noticed. But, this would not have been possible if there were any ignition sources nearby. Fortunately, the vehicle was parked and off when the spill occurred. Had I not been able to stop the leak, it is my understanding that 3/4 of the tank would have drained since I've been told that the intake is located at the 1/4 full level of the tank to prevent the generator from running the vehicle completely out of fuel. Photos attached show the part after I pushed the hose back on and tried to reposition the hose clamp closer to the center of the filter. This was very difficult to do while laying on the ground under the vehicle, so I didn't get it on as far as I would have preferred until I was able to get the vehicle to a place where I could elevate it and get better access.

NHTSA complaint #11703377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

Rear passenger seat/couch, had passengers in back, hit bump and had to break…couch came apart as it was held together by two wood screws, once it came apart, seatbelts became useless as they became loose. Metal that holds them is cut in half and in a crash, passengers would go forward into driver.

NHTSA complaint #11581283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

Rear passenger seat/couch, had passengers in back, hit bump and had to break…couch came apart as it was held together by two wood screws, once it came apart, seatbelts became useless as they became loose. Metal that holds them is cut in half and in a crash, passengers would go forward into driver.

NHTSA complaint #11581283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear exit door on driver side will not open. THOR has placed a cabinet on the side that blocks the emergency exit in case of a kitchen fire. Manufacturer should have reversed the cabinetry or made it where both doors open in case of emergency.

NHTSA complaint #11581281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Rear exit door on driver side will not open. THOR has placed a cabinet on the side that blocks the emergency exit in case of a kitchen fire. Manufacturer should have reversed the cabinetry or made it where both doors open in case of emergency.

NHTSA complaint #11581281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH:EMERGENCY MECHANICAL RELEASE

Rear exit door on driver side will not open. THOR has placed a cabinet on the side that blocks the emergency exit in case of a kitchen fire. Manufacturer should have reversed the cabinetry or made it where both doors open in case of emergency.

NHTSA complaint #11581281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I bought this THOR Scope with a recall on the awning. I reported to you that the fuel leaked from line to generator. I also reported all lines, propane/fuel/electrical touching everything sharp. THOR has tried to fix my awning recall 3 times in less than one year. Each time they say they’ve fixed it, it comes out going down the road. I have to pull the fuse. So does EVERYONE who has bought these. Read the forums. THOR will not provide me a copy of paperwork of what they’ve done. They fly someone in to work on it at a dealer, but won’t say what they’ve done. No record. This RV has so many electrical issues, safety issues that are being ignored. The water filter behind a cabinet has two screws and flops into the back window-eventually breaking it out going down the road. The mounts on the roof solar panel are not thick enough, they will crack and break. Solar panel moves wile going down the road. The couch/rear seat does not have proper construction to hold anything in place. It has two screws holding it in. In a crash, the couch will come apart and impale all those setting on or in front. THOR had the dealer wrap everything under my vehicle after I complained of everything touching sharp objects. Dealer had to replace propane lines after I reported that propane lines curved in a 90deg will crack and eventually break. Mine were bad.. I have documentation. I also had THOR replace the straight fittings from propane tank, with 45-90deg copper fittings. To keep from damaging the new hoses. I had THOR remove zip tied lines to break lines. Look, I worked at the weight stations for years, I used to own two tractor trailers… I know what right looks like…this thing is not safe all the way around and I can’t get the manufacturer to do what’s right. Maybe you can request the records of repair as by law they are supposed to have for you for this exact situation.

NHTSA complaint #11580034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While traveling on the highway, the solar panel situated atop the van flew off as a result of strong winds. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but this issue poses a significant risk of severe harm or even fatalities. The solar panel remains unaccounted for. It is noteworthy that other owners of the same vehicle have reported similar problems. I am in contact with a representative of the manufacturer, Thor, but an inspection has not been conducted yet. There were no warning indicators or messages to notify me that the solar panel had detached; instead, it was a passing motorist who alerted me to inspect my roof.

NHTSA complaint #11551505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

While traveling on the highway, the solar panel situated atop the van flew off as a result of strong winds. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but this issue poses a significant risk of severe harm or even fatalities. The solar panel remains unaccounted for. It is noteworthy that other owners of the same vehicle have reported similar problems. I am in contact with a representative of the manufacturer, Thor, but an inspection has not been conducted yet. There were no warning indicators or messages to notify me that the solar panel had detached; instead, it was a passing motorist who alerted me to inspect my roof.

NHTSA complaint #11551505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2022 Thor Motor Coach Scope. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the awning opened independently and then detached from the vehicle. The contact pulled over to attempt to reattach the awning but was unable to do so. The contact called the dealer however, the contact was unable to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact found that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V068000 (Equipment) however, the vehicle was not included. The contact was unsure if the manufacturer had been contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 10,000.

NHTSA complaint #11514647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2022 Thor Motor Coach Scope constructed on a 2021 Ram Promaster 1500 Chassis. The contact stated that while the awning was closed, the awning extended unintentionally. Additionally, the awning made an abnormal sound. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V068000 (Equipment). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,600.

NHTSA complaint #11513080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

The Awning extends and retracts several times in a row, at about 1 foot extension, on intermittent occasions. If it goes fully out at highway speeds it could release from the van and potentially hit another vehicle, causing serious damage up to and including death. Thor has not issued a recall on this vehicle but other vehicles (Travato) with this same Awning have been recalled. This is an accident waiting to happen, actually it has happened numerous times already.

NHTSA complaint #11501923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Solar panel on Thor 18M was completely blown off (now missing) the roof during a recent trip on 22-Oct-2022. The only remaining evidence of the solar panel is attached to the mounting brackets. PDF with pictures attached.

NHTSA complaint #11491021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Solar panel on Thor 18M was completely blown off (now missing) the roof during a recent trip on 22-Oct-2022. The only remaining evidence of the solar panel is attached to the mounting brackets. PDF with pictures attached.

NHTSA complaint #11491021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Thor Scope Class B RV is manufactured with two auxiliary batteries outside of and under the chassis to power electrical components in the RV. These batteries are not associated with the Promaster chassis/engine power and appear to be installed by the RV manufacturer. When the vehicle was delivered, there was a problem with battery charging in the auxiliary power system that was eventually traced to a cable that was supposed to connect the two auxiliary battery + terminals. That cable was connected two one battery but was left loose and disconnected in the other battery box. There is/was no overcurrent protection on this cable, and had the cable touched ground, it would have resulted in a direct short across the other battery, likely causing a fire. The lack of quality control at the manufacturer to deliver a vehicle with an imminent fire risk needs to be addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11484164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2022 Thor Motor Coach Scope built on a 2021 Ram Promaster 1500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal grinding noise would emit from the vehicle. The contact had taken the RV to several independent mechanics who informed her that the generator was improperly installed on the trailer. The generator had been installed below the axle and should have been installed above the axle. The contact was informed that the generator was a major safety hazard that could cause a potential failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that she would receive a call back. The contact had not received a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,200.

NHTSA complaint #11430529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.