1998 Coachmen Santara

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES WITH BASEMENT CONVERTERS AND BASEMENT FREEZERS. A GROMMET MAY BE MISSING ALLOWING THE 110-VOLT WIRE TO RUB AGAINST A METAL EDGE.

Risk. IF A DIRECT SHORT WERE TO OCCUR, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTOR HOMES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUBJECT WIRES ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED. IF THEY ARE NOT, PROPER PROTECTION WILL BE ADDED, AND IF NECESSARY, THE WIRING WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE FUEL LIFTER PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THIS WAS THE 6TH PUMP TO BE REPLACED IN 8 YEARS. THE CONTACT FOUND A NHTSA RECALL # 05V062000, FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM: DIESEL, FUEL LIFT PUMP THAT HAD SIMILAR CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DIRTY FUEL AND FUEL FILTERS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN GOING OVER A HILL. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

1998 COACHMEN SANTARA AWNING MADE BY DOMETIC A&E, MODEL 8500, BLEW OPEN WITH A GUST OF WIND. THE ENSUING VIBRATION CAUSED THE FRONT SUPPORT ARM TO DEPLOY AND DROP DOWN. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE NEXT TO US IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO THEM AND OUR MOTORHOME. THIS AWNING, AND OTHER MODELS LIKE IT,NOW HAVE A NEW MECHANISM TO PREVENT THIS DEPLOYMENT, BUT THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS ON THE ROAD WITH THE OLD MECHANISM AND NO RECALL ISSUED BY THE COMPANY TO REPLACE THEM, AND THESE TENS OF THOUSANDS MOTORHOME OWNERS ARE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. *PH

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT 2 DEALERS FOR 11 MONTHS. DEALER REPLACED PADS/ HOSE ASSEMBLY/ MASTER CYLINDER/ GASKETS/ BRAKE LINES/ BOOSTER ASSEMBLY/ CALIPERS, AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS VEHICLE BACK, BUT STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING. MANUFACTURER DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

PE00-020; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT INNER REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION WICH JUST MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEN, STOPPED/FOUND OUT TREAD WAS GONE. FORD, COUCHMAN MOTOR HOME, 1998, FIRESTONE LT225/75R16 M/S. *AK ANOTHER FIRESTONE STEEL TEX TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *YH

BRAKE PEDAL FELL APART CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION WITH SEVERAL OBJECTS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) MJS.