Recall Corner — August 2004

Country Coach Inc. has announced two separate motorhome recalls.

The first is NHTSA recall 04V237000, which affects some 2002 Allure motorhomes built between March 2001 and February 2002 and some 2003 Allure motorhomes built between February 2002 and May 2003. The potential number of coaches involved is 296.

On the affected motorhomes, the striker plate of the storage bay compartment door latch is positioned in close proximity to the release mechanism located on the face of the slide cargo tray frame. Owners may have their finger(s) caught between the slide tray frame and the striker plate when operating the release of the slide cargo tray, resulting in personal injury.
At press time, Country Coach had not yet provided a remedy for this recall. The repair will be performed and any associated parts will be provided at no cost to the owner.

For more information, contact Country Coach at (800) 574-8015. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2004.

The second Country Coach recall is NHTSA recall 04V259000, which affects some 2004 and 2005 Allure and Inspire motorhomes and some 2004 Intrigue motorhomes built between June 2003 and May 2004. The potential number of coaches affected is 527.

On certain motorhomes equipped with a Holland Neway Gen II independent front suspension, the steering gear plate support gussets were removed. This can allow the plate to flex during a static steer condition. The flexing may result in stress cracking in the plate and could potentially cause a loss of vehicle steering control, which could cause a vehicle crash.

Holland Neway is conducting this recall and will perform the repair at no cost to the owner. The repair will include a strengthening of the steering gear plate with U-bolts connecting the cross member to each side of the gear plate at the rear; in addition, a tube support in the front with J-bolts to the gear plate will be installed. The time necessary to make this repair has not been determined.

For more information, contact Holland Neway at (888) 396-6501. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2004.

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Four Winds International has announced NHTSA recall 04V249000, which affects some 2004 Hurricane, Infinity, and Windsport motorhomes manufactured between September 2003 and May 2004. The potential number of coaches affected is 240.

On certain motorhomes built on the Workhorse 20,700-pound and 22,000-pound chassis, the braided fuel supply line could rub against the steel floor structure. This could cause chafing and excessive wear to the fuel line, possibly causing it to rupture. Fuel leakage from the damaged line could lead to a fire, which could cause personal injury or death to the occupants and damage to the motorhome.

A dealer or authorized service center will inspect the fuel line. If there is no damage to the line, the service technician will secure it to the main wiring loom. This repair is expected to take less than 30 minutes to complete. If it is found that the line has been damaged, it will be replaced and secured to the main wiring loom. This repair is expected to take approximately one hour to complete. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about this recall, contact Four Winds at (574) 266-1111. Owner notification was expected to begin in June or July 2004.

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Kwikee Products Company Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 04E043000, which affects some model-year 2000 through 2004 Alfa Leisure See Ya! and See Ya! Gold motorhomes made between January 1, 2000, and May 15, 2004. The potential number of motorhomes involved is 2,442.

Kwikee Level Best straight-acting hydraulic jacks (model 3010) were installed as original equipment on certain Alfa Leisure-brand motorhomes. Without periodic inspection and tightening, it is possible that prolonged vibration and/or unusual jack loading will result in the footpad retaining bolt(s) loosening to the point where the steel footpad may fall off. Using the jack without the footpad could result in personal injury to the operator or others.

An authorized Kwikee service technician will install an improved footpad bolt kit. The repair is expected to take approximately 30 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about this recall, contact Kwikee at (800) 736-9961. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2004.

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Newmar Corporation has announced NHTSA recall 04V244000, which affects some 2004 and 2005 Dutch Star, Kountry Star, Mountain Aire, Northern Star, and Scottsdale motorhomes. The potential number of coaches involved is 1,208.

Certain motorhomes equipped with Amsafe seat belts fail to conform to the load requirement of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209, “Seat Belt Assemblies.” The seat belt buckle may unlatch unexpectedly during a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in injury to the seat's occupant.

An authorized dealer will replace the buckles, which will take approximately 15 minutes. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

Owners should contact Amsafe at (574) 266-8330 or Newmar at (574) 773-7791 for the name of an authorized dealer. Owner notification was expected to begin in June 2004.