RoadVitals

2017 Airstream Base Camp

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
3
Latest May 28, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 15, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Airstream Base Camp, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and visibility categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 17 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure250.0%
  • Electrical125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V932000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Dec 15, 2022
1,992 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Basecamp 16, and 2021-2022 Basecamp 20 travel trailers. The adhesive bond between the glass and metal frame of the entry door window can fail, causing the glass to separate from the frame.
The risk: A window glass that detaches from the trailer can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy: Dealers will test the windows and replace, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2023. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411. This recall is an expansion of recall number 20V-349.
Airstream, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
21V195000

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 19, 2021
1,509 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Basecamp travel trailers. The mounting bolts that secure the air conditioner to the roof may loosen or break, allowing the air conditioner to separate from the trailer.
The risk: A separated air conditioner can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The remedy: Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning mounting bolts are secure and replace if necessary, as well as install additional foam support blocks, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2021. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111 ext. 7401 or 7411.
Airstream, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
20V349000

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

Jun 12, 2020
732 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Basecamp travel trailers. The adhesive bond between the glass and the metal frame of the entry door window may fail, allowing the glass to separate while the trailer is moving.
The risk: If the window glass detaches while the vehicle is moving it could become a projectile, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The remedy: Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the windows for proper adhesive bond strength, replacing the windows as necessary and installing updated adhesive strips to all windows, free of charge. This recall began August 3, 2020. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 1-877-596-6505 or 1-937-596-6111, extension 7401 or 7411.
Airstream, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed May 28, 2023

The positive wire attaching to the outside of the battery box shorted against the mounting bolt, creating burn marks on the wire, the nut, the bolt and the insulator. This was discovered during an upgrade. It was hidden from sight by the side of the battery box and appears to have come from the factory this way. It appears that the wire spun during installation, creating a short.

NHTSA ID
11524213
Incident
May 28, 2023
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Mar 11, 2022

The passenger side window that is part of the door started to come off. I was able to catch it coming loose in time to prevent it from coming completely loose. A Google search reveals that this is not an uncommon occurrence with the airstream basecamp models. There are several reports online from previous owners. We were lucky that the window didn’t come off during transit! I’ve called airstream dealer in Seattle several times but customer service won’t return my calls.

NHTSA ID
11456354
Incident
Mar 8, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2017

SIDE DOOR GLAZING BLEW OFF TRAILER ON I-75 FLORIDA. VEHICLE AND TRAILER SPEED AT 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. THE VIN HAS NO INFO. NO NONE REASON FOR FAILURE. *DT *TP

NHTSA ID
11042958
Incident
Oct 21, 2017
Mileage
300 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

1STMON042052822

STRUCTURE

This newsletter provides information concerning filiform corrosion and the steps taken to neutralize it.

1STMON041042822

EQUIPMENT; TIRES

This article discussed tire care and maintenance. It explains the meaning of nomenclature on the tire sidewall (i.e. the 4 digit date code, load range, and max load information.

1STMON037102820

EQUIPMENT

This newsletter provides detailed instructions regarding winterization of Airstream travel trailers and motorhomes.

1STMON03692820

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This issue of the newsletter provides information about the optional lithium battery package Airstream is offering on the 2021 my travel trailers. There is also information of what is needed to upgrade a travel trailer that was manufactured prior to the 2021 model year.

1STTTN01192820

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This issue of the newsletter provides information about the optional lithium battery package Airstream is offering on the 2021 my travel trailers. There is also information of what is needed to upgrade a travel trailer that was manufactured prior to the 2021 model year.

1STMON035042820

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:SEWAGE/BLACK:STORAGE TANK

This newsletter talks about the importance of cleaning and maintaining waste water tanks, and provides detailed instruction of how to do so. It provides suggestions as to which products to use to clean the tanks.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Airstream Base Camp by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023050—
2022150—
2021460—
2020240—
2019040—
2018040—
2017Viewing350—
2009000—
2008610—
2007010—
2006010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.