2013 Airstream Interstate

Defect. Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling 2013-2014 Airstream Interstate recereational vehicles manufactured August 2012 through October 2013. In the affected vehicles, the installation of the propane tank and the regulator may damage the regulator, allowing propane to escape out of the safety release vent if it experiences an over pressurized condition.

Risk. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed storage area, in the presence of an ignition source, the escaping propane can collect and potentially cause a fire and or explosion to occur.

Remedy. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will replace the regulator on the propane tank, free of charge. The recall began on February 4, 2014. Owners may contact the Airstream Warranty/Service Department by phone at 1-937-596-6111.

Defect. Airstream is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Interstate motorhomes manufactured August 2007, through December 2012 and equipped with the rear sofa floor plan. The electrical equipment underneath the sofa may come in contact with the seat belt buckle or metal cables from the seat.

Risk. If the metal sofa components come in contact with the electrical components, electrical arcing could occur. Arcing may lead to a vehicle fire.

Remedy. Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will install a cover over the electrical components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by late January 2013. Owners may contact Airstream at 1-877-596-6111.

THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME IN 2014 AND I DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL RECENTLY TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR OR WORSE INCIDENTS. THAT KNOWLEDGE CAUSED ME TO FILE THIS BELATED REPORT SINCE CURRENT AIRSTREAM INTERSTATES HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON THURSDAY 3/13/2014 WHILE DRIVING FROM GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK TO VISIT FRIENDS IN NEW MEXICO. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT A SCENIC LOOKOUT SPOT THAT HAD A LOT OF VERY ROUGH PAVEMENT. I ROLLED SLOWLY OVER ONE PARTICULARLY BAD SPOT BUT DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING WAS ABNORMAL. WHEN I REACHED THE DESTINATION CAMPGROUND THAT AFTERNOON I DISCOVERED THE TRUE DAMAGE TO THE LP FILL PANEL ON MY 2013 AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE. THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE PANEL AND THE LP QUICK-CONNECT FITTING WERE MISSING. I ONLY DISCOVERED THE DAMAGE BECAUSE I WAS USING THE LP STOVE INSIDE MY VAN TO COOK DINNER AND SMELLED A STRONG PROPANE ODOR. I STEPPED OUTSIDE THE VAN AND DISCOVERED THE DAMAGED PANEL WAS THE SOURCE OF THE ODOR AS LOW-PRESSURE PROPANE WAS LEAKING INTO THE AIR RIGHT BEHIND THE REAR TIRE. I SHUT OFF THE PROPANE AND REPAIRED THE DAMAGE LATER AFTER RETURNING HOME. I'M THANKFUL IT DID NOT START A FIRE OR CAUSE OTHER DAMAGE TO MY VAN. I'M UPLOADING A PHOTO THAT SHOWS THE LOCATION OF THIS PANEL BEHIND THE REAR WHEELS ON PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO INCLUDING PHOTOS OF AN UNDAMAGED LP FILL PANEL FROM THE SIDE AND FROM THE REAR. THE LAST UPLOADED PHOTO IS THE DAMAGED LP FILL PANEL ON MY 2013 AIRST