2002 Monaco Coach Lapalma

Routine

Owners filed 11 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension › front › shock absorber. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility1
000
Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control1
000
Trailer Hitches › Fifth Wheel Assembly1
000
Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber1
000
Structure1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components1
000
Service Brakes1
010
Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems › Tank Assembly1
000
Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer1
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Trailer Hitches07V010000
Filed Jan 16, 20072,086 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR H0MES BUILT WITH GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FRAME EXTENSION LOWER FLANGE MAY CRACK ALLOWING THE HITCH TO BEND AND POSSIBLY SEPARATE FROM THE MOTOR HOME.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE TOWED VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITION OF TWO PIECES OF ANGLE STEEL TO THE FRAME EXTENSION AND HITCH MOUNTING POINT IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE FRAME EXTENSION FLANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 877-466-6226. NOTE: THE ENDING MANUFACTURING DATE FOR INDIANA BUILT MOTOR HOMES IS MARCH 8, 2002 WHILE THE OREGON BUILT MOTOR HOMES WERE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2002. THE FEDERAL ID LABEL LOCATED ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT SPECIFIES IN WHICH STATE THE MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Brake Fluid Low Warning › Lamp03V068000
Filed Mar 5, 20035,361 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Risk. IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO COACH AT 1-877-477-6226.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components02V278000
Filed Oct 22, 20028,581 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BEARINGS, RACES, SPINDLES, KNUCKLES, SEALS, HUBS, ROTORS, PATCH BOLTS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS.

Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FOR CORROSION AND REPLACE OR REBUILD THE CALIPERS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Structure02V237000
Filed Sep 9, 20026,223 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM HAS A POTENTIAL TO WEAKEN CAUSING INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL FEATURES TO BECOME MISALIGNED. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE 1999 - 2003 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED ON F53 20,500 POUND GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR), FORD CHASSIS, AND 2000-2003 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED ON W-22 22,000 POUND GVWR, WORKHORSE CHASSIS.

Risk. CONDITIONS CAN RESULT IN THE BOTTOMING OUT THE SUSPENSION AND AMPLIFICATION OF THE STRESS PLACED ON THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK. THE ADDITIONAL STRESS CAN RESULT IN THE FRACTURE OF WELDS SECURING THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SYSTEM TO THE CHASSIS FRAME RAIL AND/OR FRACTURE OF THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM. THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THERE COULD BE DAMAGE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING AND/OR FUEL LINES WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM, REINFORCE THE EXISTING STRUCTURE, AND REPAIR, AS NEEDED, THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 5, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Exterior Lighting01V360000
Filed Nov 27, 2001455 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." FRONT REFLECTORS NEED TO BE INSTALLED ON THE SIDE OF THE FRONT CAP.

Risk. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REFLECTOR ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT CAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 4, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-877-466-6226.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings01V257000
Filed Aug 15, 2001251 vehiclesMonaco Coach Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS. SPECIFIC FLOOR PLANS AT ISSUE ARE 30D, 30PBD, 32PBD, 36DPD, 36PBD, 36WDD, AND 37WDD. THE SUPPLY AND RETURN LINE CARRYING GASOLINE TO AND FROM THE ENGINE, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND/OR SECURED ON YOUR WORKHORSE GASOLINE CHASSIS.

Risk. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINE COULD BECOME DAMAGE, AND INTRODUCE THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL LINE ROUTING, INSTALL ADDITIONAL MEANS OF SECURING THE FUEL LINE, IF REQUIRED, AND/OR REPLACE THE LINE IF DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 5, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesFire
Filed Nov 16, 201218,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MONACO COACH LAPALMA RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, NOTICED VAPORS COMING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS SEIZED AND WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BOTH FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V278000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN THEN ADVISED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER, FRONT BRAKE LINES, AND THE BRAKE FLUID WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 201260,000 milesCA

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AND FRACTURES OF THE FLOOR TRUSS NETWORK SUPPORT SYSTEM. WE WERE NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. HAVING MAJOR PROBLEMS WE TOOK VEHICLE TO THREE RV SERVICE VENDORS. ALL OF THEM CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER, AND WERE FALSELY TOLD THAT THE RECALL WORK HAD BEEN DONE. WE TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER (GUARANTY IN JUNCTION CITY, OREGON) WHICH REFUSES TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR UNLESS WE PAY FOR IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Visibility
Filed Sep 18, 201140,021 milesVA

THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER SUNVISOR MANUFACTURED BY CAREFREE OF COLORADO FELL UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAUSED A FULL BLOCKAGE OF FOWARD SIGHT OF THE TWO LANE ROAD I WAS TRAVELING ON. I WAS ABLE TO PANIC STOP AND PULL OFF THE ROAD UNHARMED. MY INSPECTION OF THE SHADE SHOWED THAT THE PLASTIC MOUNTING CLIPS HAD DETERIORATED WHERE THE MOUNTING SCREWS ARE LOCATED CAUSING THE FULLY EXTENDED SHADE TO FALL. *TT

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Filed Nov 30, 201048,000 milesTX

NOTIFIED BY NORCOLD,INC. OF A FIRE HAZARD CAUSED BY MY REFRIGERATOR . THIS IS THE SECOND SUCH RECALL , BECAUSE THE FIRST ONE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO DO A CHEAP QUICK FIX AND IT DIDN'T WORK . NOW , THEY ARE DOING IT OVER TO CORRECT THEIR FIRST SCREW UP. THEY REFUSED TO COME TO ME TO FIX THE PROBLEM .CAUSING ME TO SPEND MY MONEY AND TIME TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED , MAYBE!! THE LETTER STATES " THE INSTALLATION OF THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SENSOR WILL BE AT NO COST TO YOU ". THEY LIED ! I DO HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED . I REALIZE THE NHTSA HAS NO POWER TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS , SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I HAVE TO SEND A COMPLAINT TO YOU ANYWAY . NORCOLD INC. SAID IF I HAD A COMPLAINT I HAD TO NOTIFY YOU, THEY HAD NO FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY . THAN TO NOTIFY ME AND FURNISH THE PARTS AND IN-SHOP LABOR . ANY FOOD LOSS AND ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE AT MY EXPENSE . IF A LAW SUIT RESULTS FROM THEIR MISTAKES AND ERRORS THE ON -SITE COST WILL SEEM TRIVIAL . THANKS FOR YOUR TIME . *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cruise Control
Filed Oct 17, 2007TX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MONACO LAPALMA. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH FORD REGARDING A SAFETY RECALL ON THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER OF 2007. THE SWITCH WAS DISCONNECTED; HOWEVER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL OF 2008. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE RECALL IS CONSIDERED URGENT WHEN THERE IS SUCH A DELAY MAKING THE RECALL REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Oct 18, 200625,037 milesTX

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE MONACO LAPALMA COACH BRAKE FAILURE. *TS ON 11/5/04 A BRAKE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, RECALL NUMBER 50401-C, MILEAGE 25037. INCLUDED IN THIS REPAIR WAS THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CALIPER PINS. ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, MILEAGE 33919, THE VEHILCE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THIS TIME THE CONSUMR WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAT CRACKS. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE DAMAGE THAT OCCUED WAS DUE TO THE CALIPERS BINDING ON THE PINS AND NOT RUNNING FREE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT EITHER THE RECALL WORK WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY WITH PROPER LUBRICATION OF THE NEW PINS OR THAT THERE STILL EXIST A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components
Filed Oct 29, 200411,200 milesAZ

OWNER HAD A RECALL ON THE MONACO MOTORHOME WITH A WORK HORSE CHASSIS. THE OWNER WAS WAITING FOR THE BRAKE PARTS. THE DEALER HAS TOLD THE OWNER THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE OWNER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR MORE THAN 1 MONTH BUT AS OF TODAY THE PARTS WERE STILL UNAVAILABLE. *JB

Structure
Filed Jun 8, 2004CA

VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH 2002 MONACO LAPALMA MOTORHOME.*MR THE MAIN STRUCTURE HOLDING THE PROPANE TANK BROKE AND AS A RESULT THE DROPPED WITHIN 4-5 INCHES OF THE FREEWAY. *NM

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer › Lpg Systems › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 14, 2003OK

THE BRACKET WHICH ATTACHED THE PROPANE TANK TO THE MOTORHOME WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD THE TANK. WHILE DRIVING THE BRACKET LOOSENED AND CAUSED THE TANK TO DANGLE FROM THE VEHICLE AND ALMOST FALL OFF. *NLM

Trailer Hitches › Fifth Wheel Assembly
Filed Dec 17, 2002WA

CONSUMER STATES SHE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE TRUSS ASSEMBLY. SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND WOULD BE IN ABOUT A WEEK. SHE WAITED A WEEK, AND NOW THE DEALER IS SAYING THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. SHE STATES ALSO THAT SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART IS AVAILABLE. THE DEALERS NAME IS GREAT AMERICAN RV AT 3801 20TH ST E. FIVE, WASHINGTON. 253-926-2322. THE MANAGER'S NAMES ARE [XXX]. TS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Suspension › Front › Shock Absorber
Filed Jun 7, 2002OR

FRONT END BOUNCES SEVERLY ON SECONDARY ROADS AND IS UNCONTROLABLE. WORKHORSE AND MONACO BOTH DENY A PROBLEM. THIS IS OUR 5TH MOTORHOME AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF RIDE. IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE SEAT BELT, WE WOULD BE THROWN FROM OUR SEATS. WE HAVE ASKED FOR HEAVIER DUTY SHOCKS BUT WERE TOLD NONE WERE AVAILABLE.*AK

11 of 11 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20071210Routine
20061200Routine
20052200Routine
20044300Routine
20032500Routine
2002 — this page11610Routine
20015700Routine
20002600Routine
19992300Routine

Compare every Lapalma year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 16, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.