Recall Corner — September 2007

Atwood Mobile Products has announced NHTSA recall 07E030000, which affects certain RV cooking ranges, cooktops, and service kits manufactured between December 3, 2006, and April 6, 2007, with model numbers beginning with R-A and C-A and ending with 33. The potential number of ranges, cooktops, and service kits involved is 1,591.

On certain Atwood sealed burner ranges and slide-in cooktops, the burner tubes leading from the gas manifold to the burner heads have a depression or “kink” in the exterior bend that restricts proper airflow and gas mixture. This condition could result in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Dealers will replace the tubes on these ranges. 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. Owners of ranges or cooktops included in this recall are advised not to use the appliance until it is checked and, if necessary, repaired.

For more information about this recall, contact Atwood at (800) 348-7418 and ask for Burnie Tube. Owner notification began in May 2007.

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Country Coach Inc. has announced two separate recalls.

The first is NHTSA recall 07V225000, which affects some 2005 to 2007 Allure motorhomes manufactured between May 2004 and May 2007. The potential number of coaches involved is 458.

Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, And Associated Equipment.” These motorhomes were equipped with more than three amber identification lamps located at the top and front of the vehicle. Also, the side marker lights in the combination headlight and taillight assemblies do not meet the minimum photometric value at 45 degrees as specified in the standard. The five identification lights could possibly cause confusion to oncoming motorists who are used to observing three identification lights. The inadequacy of the front and rear side marker lights could affect visibility of the motorhome during the hours of darkness, which could potentially result in a crash.

Dealers will remove the two extra identification lamps and install four side marker lights, one at each corner. The repair is expected to take approximately three hours. However, because of service scheduling times, the service center may need the vehicle for a longer time period.

The second is NHTSA recall 07V241000, which affects some 2004 to 2007 Inspire motorhomes manufactured between March 2003 and May 2007. The potential number of coaches involved is 1,051.

Certain motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, And Associated Equipment.” The side marker lights in the combination headlight and taillight assemblies do not meet the minimum photometric value at 45 degrees as specified in the standard. The inadequacy of the front and rear side marker lights could affect visibility of the motorhome during the hours of darkness, which could potentially result in a crash.

Dealers will replace the marker lights on the side as close as reasonable to the front and rear corners and wired into the park light system. The repair is expected to take approximately 90 minutes. 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 Country Coach at (800) 547-8015. Owner notification for both recalls began in June 2007.

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Cummins Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 07E033000, which affects some recreation vehicle engines built between October 17, 2005, and April 18, 2006, with engine serial numbers ranging from 46543077 to 46603939. The potential number of engines involved is 2,159.

On certain ISL Cummins CM 850 diesel engines produced for motorhome chassis, the connecting rod contains a machining defect in the wrist pin bushing of the rod that could cause seizure of the piston pin. If allowed to progress, this could lead to engine failure with the possibility of the rod rupturing the block cavity. Oil and debris on the roadway from the rupture could result in a vehicle crash.

Cummins will notify owners of vehicles that contain these engines about this defect. An authorized Cummins service center will recalibrate the engine control module with enhanced "Engine Protection System" software and install a new valve cover with a crankcase pressure sensor. The enhanced engine protection logic will provide a signal to the dash with a red light, which if a failure is imminent will indicate to the driver to stop the engine as soon as it can safely be done. The repair is expected to take approximately four hours 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 either your vehicle's manufacturer or the Cummins customer assistance center at (800) 343-7357. The recall was expected to begin in July 2007.

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Fleetwood Enterprises has announced NHTSA recall 07V294000, which affects certain Jamboree and Tioga type C motorhomes manufactured between March 30, 2007, and May 29, 2007. The potential number of units involved is 260.

On the affected vehicles, the spare wheel, when installed on the front axle, may contact the front brake caliper mounting brackets, and the driver may experience a grinding or scraping noise in the front with the spare wheel installed. This could cause premature wheel failure, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and/or an accident.

Dealers will inspect and install the correct spare wheel. The total length of time for this repair will depend on the dealer's work schedule.

For more information about this recall, contact Fleetwood at (800) 509-3418. Owner notification was expected to begin in July 2007.

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Four Winds International Inc. has announced NHTSA recall 07V305000, which affects certain 2007 Magellan and Windsport motorhomes manufactured between July 2006 and May 2007. The potential number of units involved is 72.

On certain motorhomes, the flexible LP-gas line supplying propane to the appliances in the galley slideout may be improperly routed and/or supported. Continued operation of the LPG system may result in a gas leak that could cause a fire or an explosion, leading to serious injury or death.

Owners are instructed not to use the LPG system until they can take their motorhomes to an authorized dealer for repair. Technicians will inspect and reconfigure the LPG system piping to eliminate the potential for binding or kinking. 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 Four Winds at (574) 266-1111 or (866) 919-4444. Owner notification has not yet been scheduled.

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