2012 Tiffin Phaeton

Routine

Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine2
000

7 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment17V841000
Filed Dec 22, 201736,005 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Allegro and Allegro RED, Bus and Phaeton vehicles, 2009-2010 Bay vehicles, 2011-2018 Breeze vehicles, and 2009-2015, and 2017-2018 Zephyr vehicles. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that 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. Tiffin will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact 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. Owners may also contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe17V121000
Filed Feb 27, 201735 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2012 Phaeton motorhomes with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH, built on PowerGlide chassis. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.

Risk. Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy. Tiffin will notify owner, and dealers will reconfigure the exhaust to provide extra clearance, free of charge. The recall began on March 22, 2017. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for the recall is TIF-106.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer15V880000
Filed Dec 28, 201514,889 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. Tiffin Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may become unstable.

Risk. Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

Remedy. Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe15V612000
Filed Sep 30, 2015140 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Phaeton motorhomes built on Powerglide chassis with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH manufactured July 1, 2010, to August 1, 2011. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.

Risk. Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy. Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will change the configuration of the exhaust to provide extra clearance between it and the floor, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Note: Although these vehicles may have been previously repaired for this condition under recall number 11V-416, it is important that the affected vehicles receive the revised remedy of this recall.

Service Brakes, Air12V228000
Filed May 22, 20122 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. TIFFIN MOTORHOMES (TIFFIN) IS RECALLING TWO MODEL YEAR 2012 PHAETON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3030 BRAKE CHAMBERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 121, “AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS” BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET THE PARK BRAKE AND DRAW BAR REQUIREMENTS.

Risk. THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AND STRIKE AND INJURE A BYSTANDER OR CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD YET AND TIFFIN HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERS THAT ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLES. SPARTAN DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED BRAKE CHAMBERS PRIOR TO SALE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN MOTORHOMES AT 1-256-356-8661.

Engine and Engine Cooling12V048000
Filed Feb 8, 201213 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, 2012, AND 2013 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS PHAETON AND ZEPHYR, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Risk. IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy. TIFFINS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFINS AT 256-356-8661.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe11V416000
Filed Aug 8, 2011149 vehiclesTiffin Motorhomes, Inc.

Defect. TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 PHAETON MOTORHOMES WITH FLOOR PLANS QBH, QKH, AND QTH THAT ARE BUILT WITH 2010 EPA-CERTIFIED ENGINES ON POWERGLIDE CHASSIS. THE EXHAUST PIPE IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR.

Risk. MELTING OF THE INSULATION CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy. TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ATTACH A HEAT SHIELD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND AN INSULATING SOCK OR BLANKET WILL BE WRAPPED AROUND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2022FL

This vehicle like many thousands has a DEF system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid in addition to Diesel fuel. This POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME, Installed by both Freight Liner and Cummins diesel, when it fails, it orverides all engine speed controls and only allows the vehicle to drive at 5 mph. THIS IS UNSAFE, DARK, HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH LARGE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS, BUS'S, PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS RUNNING AT 70- TO 90 MPH coming up on a 5 MPH vehicle presents a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR HUMAN BEINGS, CHILDREN, AND ALL OTHERS AND IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT IT IS ALLOWED AND IT IS FORCED ONTO ALL DIESEL POWERED MOTOR HOMES AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES. DO WE HAVE ANY REAL SAFETY PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING PAID TO MAKE OUR VEHICLES AND ROADS SAFE, THAT GIVE A DAMN. THIS SPEED CONTROL LIMIT IS A TERRIBLE WAY TO ENFORCE A POLLUTION CONTROLS SYSTEM ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WILL ANYONE HAVE THE BACKBONE TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE, DUMB, SYSTEM, ANYONE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, Nov. 1, 2022 NEAR VERO BEACH, FLORIDA IN MY DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME. I AM MAD AS HELL, AND ALL OF YOU SHOULD FIX THIS INSANE PROBLEM.

Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2013FL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TIFFEN PHAETON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

2 of 2 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2022
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20270100Routine
20260100Routine
20251100Routine
20240100Routine
20230500Routine
20226900Routine
20213700Routine
20202300Routine
20194400Routine
20183500Routine
20171200Routine
20161100Routine
20152310Routine
20143200Routine
20130200Routine
2012 — this page2700Routine
201141210Routine
20103910Routine
20091800Routine
20086900Routine
20071700Routine
20060100Routine
20051500Routine
20041510Routine
20032300Routine
20020300Routine
20011300Routine
20000200Routine

Compare every Phaeton 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: Dec 22, 2017. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.