2005 Coachmen Freelander

Defect. COACHMEN IS RECALLING 13,662 MY 2002-2008 MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH GLASS SHOWER DOORS AND MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 15, 2001 THORUGH AUGUST 6, 2007. WHEN PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE TOWEL BAR ON THE GLASS SHOWER DOOR, THE EDGE OF THE BAR MAY CONTACT THE GLASS.

Risk. GLASS BREAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH NEW MOUNTING HARDWARE FOR THE TOWEL BAR AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF AN OWNER IS NOT COMFORTABLE REPLACING THE HARDWARE THEMSELVES, A DEALER WILL INSTALL THE HARDWARE AT NO COST TO THEM. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-574-825-5821.

Defect. COACHMEN IS RECALLING 37,293 MOTORHOMES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Risk. EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy. COACHMEN IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR COACHMEN AT 574-825-5821.

Defect. ON CERTAIN CLASS C MINI-MOTORHOMES, THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTED BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE REFRIGERATOR AND THE REFRIGERATOR CABINET COULD COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE REFRIGERATOR BURNER TUBE AND COOLING UNIT.

Risk. IF CONTACT OCCURS, THE WIRE INSULATION MATERIAL MAY MELT, DUE TO THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF THE BURNER TUBE AND COOLING UNIT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE WIRE HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAON ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-453-6064.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Throttle Body motor failure due to permanent magnet adhesive failure. Magnets detached from motor casing and wrapped around the armature. I have pictures and it is available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Failed at highway speed, 70 mph, causing extreme deceleration and almost a rear ender from following truck. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Repair shop mechanic confirmed throttle body failure and replaced it with new one. Told me this is a common occurrence on ford f450 v10s. He worked for Ford for twenty years and saw a lot of failures. Many were the sensor but also the gearing and failure due to dirty components. He didn't mention the magnets. It was difficult to move the butterflies and he said it might be the gears are damaged or worn. He didn't disassemble the throttle body but gave it to me to look at. I found the problem. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, immediately the check engine light and the orange wrench appeared when it failed. No prior indicators of a problem occurred. Here's partial report on same problem from RV site: Thor Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner,

HAD A SECOND TIRE BLOWOUT OF BFG 225/75R16 TIRES ON OUR COACHMEN FREELANDER. DRIVING AROUND 45 MPG ON SMOOTH ROAD WITH TEMP APPROXIMATELY 65 DEGREES. TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF THE ENTIRE THING EXCEPT FOR AN APPROXIMATELY 10 INCH STRIP. IT DESTROYED THE GAS INTAKE LINE. GOOD THING WE DIDN'T HAVE ALOT OF GAS IN THE TANK. A FEW MONTHS AGO HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN WITH ANOTHER BFG TIRE (WE BOUGHT 3 OF THEM). THAT ONE CRUSHED THE EXHAUST PIPE. AT THE TIME WE DIDN'T ATTRIBUTE IT TO A DEFECTIVE TIRE BUT AFTER 2 OUT OF 3 BLOWOUTS WE WILL HAVE THE 3RD ONE TAKEN OFF AS SOON AS WE CAN GET THE GAS INTAKE REPLACED & CAN GET TO A TIRE DEALER. WE CALLED BFG & THEY'RE LOOKING INTO IT...THEY WANT US TO SEND THEM THE TIRE!!! OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SAID DON'T SEND IT. *TR