Recall Corner — September 2005

Country Coach Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V253000, which affects some 2006 Country Coach Prevost conversions. The potential number of coaches involved is 17.

On certain motorhome shells supplied by Prevost Car Inc., it has been determined that a large quantity of anti-seize compound was used in the mounting of three radius rod supports. The bolts securing the radius rod supports can loosen and could completely detach. A loose attachment should be detected at regular inspections. This condition can create some unusual noise and the vehicle’s stability will deteriorate gradually. If a rod becomes completely detached, it will create a large amount of noise and the vehicle’s stability will be reduced, which could result in a crash.

A Prevost Service Center will reinstall the radius rod support using a Loctite product on the bolts. The repair is expected to take approximately four hours. 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 Prevost Car Inc. at (418) 831-5432. Owner notification was expected to begin in June 2005.

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Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V278000, which affects some 2005 and 2006 Jamboree and Tioga type C motorhomes built between March 9, 2004, and May 20, 2005, on Chevrolet chassis. The recall involves include 22B, 23E, and 24D floor plans. The potential number of coaches involved is 476.

Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Part 567, “Certification.”

Incorrect federal certification and cargo carrying capacity tags were applied. The tags included incorrect rear gross axle weight rating (GAWR), gross combined weight rating (GCWR), unloaded vehicle weight rating (UVW), cargo carrying capacity (CCC), and hitch tongue weight rating (23E model only). Overloading can damage the vehicle, adversely affecting vehicle performance, including handling and braking; cause tire failure; and could result in a crash.

Fleetwood will mail correct federal certification and cargo carrying capacity labels and instructions for applying the correct labels over the existing ones. If an owner desires, a dealer can install the labels for him or her.

For more information about this recall, contact Fleetwood at (800) 509-3418. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2005.

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Four Winds International has announced two separate recalls.

The first is NHTSA recall 05V272000, which affects some 2005 and 2006 Four Winds Chateau, Chateau Citation, Chateau Sport, Dutchmen, Dutchmen Dorado, Dutchmen Express, Four Winds, Four Winds 5000, Four Winds Siesta, and Fun Mover motorhomes built from December 2004 through March 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 238.

Certain motorhomes built on Ford E-450 chassis fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, “Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.” The cold tire inflation pressure is incorrectly listed on the label for the rear tires. At the incorrectly stated pressure, the rear tires are unable to support the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) for the rear axle.

Owners will be mailed supplementary tire labels from Ford Motor Company containing the correct rear tire inflation information that should be affixed over the top of the incorrect labels.

The second Four Winds recall is NHTSA recall 05V306000, which affects some 2006 Four Winds Majestic motorhomes built on Ford chassis from March 28, 2005, through April 25, 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 25.

On certain motorhomes built on Ford chassis cab vehicles equipped with 5.4-liter or 6.8-liter gasoline engines, a fuel jumper line to the main fuel bundle may have an incorrect end form. The incorrect end form may cause the fuel line to separate at the connection to the main fuel bundle. If the fuel line separates, a driver may notice a gasoline odor and/or fuel on the ground, loss of power, and the engine will eventually stall. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Four Winds is working with Ford to notify owners and have the repair performed on their vehicles. Ford dealers will install an external retention clip at the fuel jumper line to the main fuel bundle connection. The repair is expected to take approximately one hour. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need your vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about these recalls, contact Four Winds at (574) 266-1111 or Ford at (800) 392-3673. Owner notification by Ford Motor Company was expected to begin in July 2005 for both recalls.

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Spartan Chassis Inc. has announced two NHTSA recalls. The first recall, 05V273000, affects some 2005 and 2006 Mountain Master motorhome chassis manufactured from May 1, 2004, to May 24, 2005. The potential number of chassis involved is 609.

On certain motorhome chassis, the wiring harness and battery cables were routed incorrectly and banded to the transmission lifting ear. Sharp casting edges of the transmission lifting ear may cut into the cables or wire harness. Smoke, which may not be visible to the driver, and an electrical short may occur, which could result in a fire.

Dealers will reroute the harness and cables away from the transmission lifting ear, avoiding the casted part, which was the source of the chafing. The repair is expected to take approximately one hour. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

The second recall, 05V283000, affects some 2004 and 2005 K2 and K3 motorhome chassis manufactured between October 20, 2003, and September 2, 2004. The potential number of chassis involved is 86.

On certain motorhome chassis, the I-shaft is the mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the steering gear. At the non-welded side of the I-shaft there is a universal joint. It is possible that the fork/shaft connection could be lost. Should this occur, the motorhome's steering would be lost and a crash could occur without warning.

Dealers will inspect and repair the I-shaft. The repair is expected to take approximately one hour. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about these recalls, contact Spartan at (517) 543-6400. Owner notification had not been scheduled at press time.

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Western Recreational Vehicles Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V250000, which affects some 2005 and 2006 Alpine and Avalanche motorhomes manufactured between February 16, 2004, and April 1, 2005. The potential number of units involved is 89.

On certain motorhomes equipped with Vansco VMM 2820 modules, the module may experience a failure of all operational function. A module failure will result in the loss of engine operation. Should this occur while the coach is being driven, the coach would have to be coasted to a stop without power assist for the steering. The sudden loss of power-assisted steering could result in the loss of control, which could cause a crash.

Dealers will replace the faulty modules with revised modules. The repair should take approximately 1½ hours. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need your vehicle for a longer time period.

For more information about this recall, contact Western RV at (509) 853-2940. Owner notification began in June 2005.

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Winnebago Industries Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 05V265000, which affects some 2006 Itasca Navion and Winnebago View motorhomes manufactured from March 14, 2005, through May 9, 2005. The potential number of coaches involved is 89.

On certain motorhomes equipped with the optional rear suspension air bags, the upper air bag mount can move and contact the tire. This can cause tire damage and vehicle instability, which could result in a crash.

Dealers will install a rear suspension air bag upper mount reinforcement kit. The repair is expected to take approximately two hours. 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 Winnebago Industries at (641) 585-6939. Owner notification was expected to begin in June 2005.

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