2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau

Defect. Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Risk. In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

Defect. Thor Motor Coach is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Challenger, Four Winds 5000, Hurricane, Chateau, Chateau Sport, and Windsport; model year 2013 Palazzo and Four Winds Siesta and model year 2014 Majestic motorhomes manufactured February 13, 2013, through April 09, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowningly become damaged. A damaged motor may lead to an unfurling of the awning.

Risk. If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy. Thor Motor Coach will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began during May 2013. Owners may contact Thor at 1-877-855-2867 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

I PURCHASED A 2014 THOR CHATEAU (28Z) MOTOR COACH IN OCT 2013. IT HAS HAD THREE ELECTRICAL/FIRE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS OF THOR COACHES. 1. IN JUNE 2014 THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE REAR BED COMPARTMENT BEGAN SMOKING AT 2AM IN THE MORNING. THE WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE SOLID COPPER WIRE (EXTERNAL POWER) TO THE MULTI-STRAND LINE TO THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND WAS GLOWING RED/SMOKING. THE HEAT FROM THE POOR CONNECTION CAUSED THE TOP OF THE SWITCH BOX TO DEFORM AND CRACK. 2. IN DEC 2014 THE ELECTRICAL WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE POWER TO THE WATER HEATER SIMILARLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED, BUT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE OUTER CASE MELTED. 3. WHEN INSPECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE RV FOR RUST IN JUNE 2016, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WIRE FOR THE PROPANE TANK GAS LEVEL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WIRE WAS DRAPED OVER THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE OUTER PLASTIC COVER WAS FRAYED BY THE DRIVESHAFT AND MELTED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A "BURNING FUSE" LEADING TO THE LP GAS TANK. ANY ONE OF THESE DEFECTS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY DEATH BY FIRE IN THE COACH. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ALL THREE INCIDENTS: #1 & 2 IN RV PARKS, AND #3 WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE AN AUTO PARTS STORE - AFTER/BETWEEN HIGHWAY TRANSITS. I HAVE RETAINED THE PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THESE EVENTS AND ADDITIONAL PICTURES THAN THOSE BELOW - SHOWING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THOR'S MALPRACTICE IN MANUFACTURING. WHAT I REQUEST: 1. NOTIFICATION TO THOR MOTO

I WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 THOR CLASS C MOTORHOME WITH A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS ENGINE WHEN AFTER STARTING IT AFTER DINNER ON THE WAY BACK TO OUR RV SITE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND A MESSAGE FLASHED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". THE MAXIMUM SPEED I HAD WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WAS 25 MPH. I BARELY MADE IT 2 MILES TO OUR SITE AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE RV TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY NEARER OUR HOME IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT BLADE CHEVROLET INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE RELAY FEED B CIRCUIT WAS MIS-WIRED AND WAS PULLING POWER FROM THE O2 SENSOR NOT THE MIRROR OR BACKUP CAMERA CIRCUIT. WE WERE ADVISED THE REPAIRS WERE ONLY PARTIALLY UNDER WARRANTY AS WE HAD PURCHASED THE RV IN SEPTEMBER 2013 AND THOR WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. PART OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY CHEVROLET AS THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN HAVE A 100,000 WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL SINCE THE FAULTY RELAY WAS ORIGINAL MIS-WIRED, THIS ISSUE MAY ALSO HAPPEN TO OTHER THOR RV CUSTOMERS AND IT IS DANGEROUS HAVING ALMOST NO POWER ON A HILL OR OTHER CHALLENGING TOPOGRAPHY. I FEEL OUR MODEL RV SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND WE BE REIMBURSED BY THOR FOR THE $449.36 WE PAID TO REPAIR OUR RV. *TR