RoadVitals

2020 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.
2
Latest Feb 13, 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.
4
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Airstream Base Camp, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 13 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 & structure133.3%
  • Electrical133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
19V753000

TRAILER HITCHES

Oct 21, 2019
1,888 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Sport, Nest, Flying Cloud, International Serenity, International Signature, Classic, Globetrotter and Tommy Bahama trailers and 2020 Basecamp, Bambi and Caravel trailers. Due to improper welding, the Demco ball coupler installed on the travel trailers may not provide enough clamping force on the tow ball, potentially causing the coupler to separate from the tow ball.
The risk: If the coupler separates from the tow ball, the trailer can detach from the tow vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Airstream will notify owners, and will send a temporary use adaptor that can be slipped over the ball portion of the coupler to allow owners to tow their trailers. For the final remedy, dealers will add a shim plate to the backside of the ball coupler clamp to put it in position to apply the required clamping force on the tow ball, free of charge. The recall began November 13, 2019. 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

ElectricalSuspension
Filed Feb 13, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Air Stream Base Camp. The contact stated that while hauling the trailer, the trailer was shaking abnormally. The contact stated that the three-foot cord loosened and melted the plug and cord. The contact stated that as a result of the failure, the hot water heater and furnace combo experienced an electrical short. The cord lost voltage and melted a hole in the receptacle. There were no warning lights illuminated. An independent mechanic noticed the plug attached to the receptacle was damaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where the furnace and hot water heater combo was replaced. The manufacturer was notified by email, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11507073
Incident
Jan 14, 2023
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2021

The Air Stream Basecamp rock guard shield Southco fasteners have repeatedly failed and dropped out while traveling. We had a full replacement of all the Southco fasteners for the three rock guard shields installed on our 2020 Air Stream basecamp X trailer while we were traveling July 2020. Replacement service was handled under warranty by an Air Stream service department. While on a May 2021 trip, we again had a Southco fastener drop out of a rock shield. We only notice the fasteners are missing when we stop for gas, not while in transit. We are working with with the local Air Stream service department to replace the current missing fastener, again under warranty. It would be extremely dangerous if both of the Southco rock guard fasteners fall out of a shield while driving down the road with the trailer. Nothing would stop the shield from swinging open, breaking off due to wind pressure, and hitting other vehicles, causing serious injury and expensive repair.

NHTSA ID
11418019
Incident
May 3, 2021

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.

TSB188

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES; STRUCTURE

certain scenarios on model year 2020-2022 Airstream Basecamp 16' & 20' the solar rocak guards 1/4 turn fastener is not locking properly into the rubber receptacle. The fastener should fit tight and not be loosely attached.

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.

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—
2020Viewing240—
2019040—
2018040—
2017350—
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.