Tiffin Phaeton 2008
Model Phaeton made in 2008 by Tiffin got 10 consumer complains there are 6 recalls as well as 11 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to engine and engine cooling, structure and unknown or other. Technical service bulletines regarding equipment, equipment adaptive. There were some recalls concerningelectrical system, equipment and service brakes, hydraulic.
Model 2008
Recalls
| Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | ||||||||||||||||
| 07V363000 | SPARTAN CHASSIS, INC. | from 06/11/2007 to 07/03/2007 | V (Vehicle) | 1672 | 01/16/2008 | MFR | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 08/15/2007 | 08/16/2007 | |||||||
| Defect Summary | On certain motor home chassis, there may be a loose connection between the bus bar and a grid pad due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. electrical power may be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems (engine, transmission, starting, cooling) causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, starting and engine cooling systems, operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal, the anti-lock brake system, auxiliary brake system, the heater elements in the air dryer, and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | The dvec bussmann box will be replaced. the recall began on january 16, 2008. owners may contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Spartan recall no. 07025.customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE | ||||||||||||||||
| 10V585000 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | V (Vehicle) | 2717 | MFR | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 11/22/2010 | 11/22/2010 | |||||||||
| Defect Summary | Tiffin is recalling certain recreational vehicles equipped with 1200-series norcold refrigerators. the population of refrigerators being addressed contains either a sensing algorithm or thermal switch to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected in order to prevent a potential fire. the response times of the sensor algorithm and thermal switch devices to stop power are not sufficient. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | The sensing algorithm or thermal switch installed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected due to a possible hydrogen gas leak may not shut off in sufficient time to prevent a fire. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Tiffin is working with norcold to identify and notify any affected owners. owners will be instructed to contact norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. please see norcold's defect report 10e-049 for additional information. the recall is expected to begin during december 2010. owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or tiffin at 1-256-356-8661. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - PEDALS AND LINKAGES | ||||||||||||||||
| 11V452000 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | V (Vehicle) | 1960 | MFR | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 08/25/2011 | 09/02/2011 | |||||||||
| Defect Summary | Tiffin motorhomes is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 phaeton, my 2008-2010 bus, and my 2010 allegro motorhomes equipped with kongsberg automotive adjustable brake pedals. the adjustable brake pedal arm may loosen allowing the arm to rotate around its shaft and swing in front of the accelerator pedal, reducing braking function. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | A loose brake pedal increases the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Damiler trucks (dtna) is performing recall repairs and notification to owners. the owners were initially notified by dtna trucks on december 22, 2009, and a follow up notice was mailed to owners on july 20, 2011. owners may contact dtna warranty claims department at 1-800-547-0712 or tiffin motorhomes at 1-256-356-8661 for more information. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
| STEERING | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V393000 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | V (Vehicle) | 271 | ODI | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 08/01/2008 | 08/11/2008 | |||||||||
| Defect Summary | Tiffin is recalling 271 my 2007-2008 phaeton class a motor homes equipped with freightliner chassis. the aac front axle steering arm bolts with a latch lever pivot bolt assembly may have been over- tightened. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Over-tightened steering arm bolts may fatigue and fracture increasing the risk of a crash. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Tiffin is working with freightliner to have the steering arm tie rod fasteners inspected and replaced. the steering arm will be inspected for clearance to the king pin boss. freightliner is handling the remedy for this campaign. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Customers may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| SUSPENSION | ||||||||||||||||
| 08V269000 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA | V (Vehicle) | 2506 | 09/12/2008 | MFR | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 06/17/2008 | 06/18/2008 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Daimler trucks is recalling 2,506 my 2008 xc motor home chassis and thomas built hdx school and transit buses equipped with saf-holland adl series rear suspensions. in some instances the transverse beam was not properly welded which could result in a failure of the weld. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | If the weld fails, vehicle stability while cornering could be affected resulting in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a crash. in addition, the transverse beam could drop to the ground causing sparks that could cause a fire hazard. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Daimler trucks is working with saf-holland to have a visual inspection of the adl transverse beam performed. if a weld defect is identified, saf-holland will provide a service replacement kit that contains a new transverse beam, all necessary installation hardware, beam replacement, and instructions free of charge (please see 08e031). the recall recall began on september 12, 2008 (thomas built buses) and october 8, 2008. owners may contact saf-holland at 1-231-773-3271 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Daimler trucks recall no. fl-530.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov. | |||||||||||||||
| TRAILER HITCHES | ||||||||||||||||
| 09V069000 | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | V (Vehicle) | 1408 | 01/21/2009 | MFR | TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. | 02/27/2009 | 02/27/2009 | ||||||||
| Defect Summary | Tiffin is recalling 1,408 my 2006-2009 allegro bus, my 2007-2009 phaeton and my 2005-2009 zephyr vehicles built on spartan chassis and equipped with putman hitches. certain trailer hitches may fracture which could result in the loss of the trailer. | |||||||||||||||
| Consequence Summary | Suspect hitches may develop fractures and subsequent separation may occur, resulting in a vehicle crash, property damage or pedestrian harm. | |||||||||||||||
| Corrective Summary | Tiffin is working with spartan and spartan is handling the remedy for this campaign (please see 08v-567). the trailer hitch will be replaced free of charge. owners may contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400 or tiffin at 256-356-8661. | |||||||||||||||
| Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . | |||||||||||||||
Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EQUIPMENT | |||||
| SB-25 | 08/08/2008 | 10026765 | Tiffin motorhomes: flush floor living room slide system provided by lippert components. units with residential refrigerator option may experience decreased motor efficiency over time due to an issue involving the size of roller installed i | 12/15/2008 | |
| SB-18 | 11/29/2007 | 10026735 | Tiffin motorhomes: spartan chassis: the location where the mud flap on certain phaetons could cause problems. there is the potential for a hole to rub in the trans oil cooler. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/10/2008 | |
| SB-21 | 03/18/2008 | 10026734 | Tiffin motorhomes: switch box grounding lug. the tap screw is not tight enough. this could cause problems at the load center causing a loss of ground. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/09/2008 | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE | |||||
| SB-18 | 11/29/2007 | 10026735 | Tiffin motorhomes: spartan chassis: the location where the mud flap on certain phaetons could cause problems. there is the potential for a hole to rub in the trans oil cooler. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/10/2008 | |
| SB-21 | 03/18/2008 | 10026734 | Tiffin motorhomes: switch box grounding lug. the tap screw is not tight enough. this could cause problems at the load center causing a loss of ground. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/09/2008 | |
| EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) | |||||
| SB-23 | 06/06/2008 | 10026732 | Tiffin motorhomes: a wire is not hooked up and needs to be. the navigational system will work until its program for a destination and get the path to the destination. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/09/2008 | |
| EQUIPMENT - OTHER - OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | |||||
| SB-25 | 08/08/2008 | 10026765 | Tiffin motorhomes: flush floor living room slide system provided by lippert components. units with residential refrigerator option may experience decreased motor efficiency over time due to an issue involving the size of roller installed i | 12/15/2008 | |
| SB-21 | 03/18/2008 | 10026734 | Tiffin motorhomes: switch box grounding lug. the tap screw is not tight enough. this could cause problems at the load center causing a loss of ground. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/09/2008 | |
| EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE | |||||
| SB-25 | 08/08/2008 | 10026765 | Tiffin motorhomes: flush floor living room slide system provided by lippert components. units with residential refrigerator option may experience decreased motor efficiency over time due to an issue involving the size of roller installed i | 12/15/2008 | |
| SB-21 | 03/18/2008 | 10026734 | Tiffin motorhomes: switch box grounding lug. the tap screw is not tight enough. this could cause problems at the load center causing a loss of ground. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/09/2008 | |
| EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE - LPG WATER HEATER | |||||
| SB-20 | 03/29/2008 | 10026736 | Tiffin motorhomes: there is a potential problem with the water heater by pass in your unit. there is a possibility it was incorrectly plumbed. csc letter was received. *pe | 12/10/2008 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM | |||
| 06/25/2008 | 5500 | 1 | |
| We took delivery on a tiffin phaeton 2008 motorhome (vin last digits 8cz81559)nov. 9, 2007. we first drove it on the road nov. 23, 2007 and within 30 miles had overheating, low coolant, engine shutdown problems. freightliner said to keep driving as long as it would go. we had multiple incidents with the same problem and kept getting the same answers. on june 25, 2008, we coasted to the side of a busy four lane 50 miles south of kansas city and had to be towed to cummins since freightliner had 6 tech's off to school. when diagnosing the problem, cummins said freightliner had a field safety campaign 388a-f issue and the problem described had occurred. the horton fan, fan hub, belts, wiring, cac, etc. had all been torn off with the shear of the fan bolt and wobble and final breakage. it took 6 days to get parts and fix. we left july 1st and made it as far as denver when on july 4th, it occurred again. denver freightliner said it was the same problem and all new parts had to be ordered and replaced. it took 7 days this time. we had no notice to the recall and had to lose time and money twice within two weeks. *tr | |||
| STRUCTURE - BODY | |||
| 12/01/2011 | |||
| We have found cracks and/or fractures on the roof of our 2008 tiffin phaeton qsh motor home. these cracks are mostly along the curved edge of the fiberglass roof. this defect seems to be caused by poor quality materials and poor design by tiffin motor homes leading to cracks due to flexing of the vehicle structural frame during travel. this vehicle defect has been widely reported to tiffin by many owners of their products beginning in 2007 (and perhaps before) through 2011 models based on information from dealers and other motor home owners. these cracks lead to moisture seeping through to interior walls and could create an environmental issue due to mold within the inside of the vehicle behind the interior walls. tiffin motor homes has not notified any vehicle owners of this defect; therefore, causing many of these vehicles to be sold by current owners to other consumers that are not aware of the defect and potential mold issues. it has been reported that tiffin is repairing this defect that invovles most all of their diesel pusher models, but only if the owner brings the rv to their red bay, al, service facility, with service appointments several months out at this time. this puts undue hardship and expense on most owners and will, most likely, lead to a low rate of repair of this defect on many vehicles. tiffin motor homes should be required to acknowledge and report this structural defect to all current owners of models impacted and provide qualified service facilities nationwide to repair this defect, including certified mold remediation. tiffin should also be required to report how this major structural defect has been corrected, if it has actually been corrected, by engineering and design changes in current model year vehicles. | |||
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||
| 12/01/2011 | 13500 | ||
| The wet bay floor holding the fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks has rotted underneath the motorcoach due to the poor design/engineering by tiffin motor homes, as well as very poor quality materials used. there is very little structural support for the tanks underneath the vehicle. all of the tanks and wet bay area have to be removed in order to evaluate the full extent of the rotting and mold in this area. the interior floor of the motor home has also begun to drop likely due to this rotting. tiffin motor homes is fully aware of this major defect in vehicles dating back to 2006 or before on most diesel pusher models involving hundreds to several thousand vehicles. based on reports from other tiffin owners there has been minimal or no engineering or material changes made to subsequent model years. the company is replacing or repairing this major defect, but only if the motor home is brought to their red bay, al, service facility and service appointments are currently 12 to 18 months out. this requires an almost 2000 mile drive for us to have a major safety defect repaired. but we must get to the repair facility without our tanks falling off the motor home onto the roadway causing a very serious safety problem for us and other drivers as well as a potential environmental issue because these tanks are holding tanks for sewage and have been treated with chemicals. other owners have reported having to weld additional support beams under their rv themselves in order to drive and get it in for repair. a rotting undercarriage of an rv is dangerous on highways and tiffin should be required to repair this problem immediately, at qualitifed service facilities throughout the country, at their cost. there should be a full investigation into why tiffin has knowingly failed to correct this defect for years creating safety issues and expense for owners. | |||