RoadVitals

2005 Airstream Classic

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.
6
Latest Apr 28, 2006
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.
3
Latest Jul 22, 2010
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Airstream Classic, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and brakes categories. 3 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

  • Tires & wheels333.3%
  • Body & structure111.1%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Airbags111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Electrical111.1%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
10V344000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jul 22, 2010
737 units potentially affected
The defect: AIRSTREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 CLASSIC TRAVEL TRAILERS MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2005 THROUGH APRIL 2009 AND EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKE CONTROLLER BY ACTIVE TECHNOLOGIES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE BRAKE CONTROLLER CAN FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE BRAKES ON THE TRAILER TO LOCK UP OR TO FAIL COMPLETELY.
The risk: THE LOCKING OF THE BRAKES OR BRAKE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE CONTROLLER AND IF FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE IT WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 937-596-6111.
AIRSTREAM, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
08V367000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 21, 2008
4,450 units potentially affected
The defect: AIRSTREAM IS RECALLING 4,450 MY 2004-2007 SAFARI, INTERNATIONAL, INTERSTATE, LAND YACHT, CLASSIC, MY 2004-2006 SKYDECK, AND MY 2006 PARKWAY TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: AIRSTREAM IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR AIRSTREAM AT 1-937-596-6111.
AIRSTREAM, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V506000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

Oct 25, 2004
929 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING IN THE HUB OF THE AXLE MAY FAIL, LEADING TO UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE AXLE. THIS FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE GREASE IN THE HUB MAY BREAK DOWN UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS INTO A LIQUID THAT INADEQUATELY LUBRICATES THE OUTER BEARING. INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE OUTER BEARING CAN BEGIN A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk: SEPARATION OF ONE OR MORE WHEELS FROM THE TRAILER COULD CAUSE THE TRAILER TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY OR GO OUT OF CONTROL. A LOST WHEEL COULD ALSO STRIKE AN ONCOMING OR FOLLOWING VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OF DEATH TO THOSE INVOLVED.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE UNIT AND REMOVE THE WHEELS, INSPECT THE HUBS, INNER AND OUTER BEARINGS, RACES AND GREASE SEALS. IF NECESSARY, REPLACE PARTS AND REPACK THE WHEEL BEARING WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE AND REINSTALL THE HUB AND WHEELS. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 1-877-596-6505.
AIRSTREAM, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED UPON INSPECTION OF THE TIRES BLISTERS WERE NOTICED ON THE SIDEWALLS OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN ALERTED

NHTSA ID
10156368
Incident
Apr 19, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 11, 2005

I HAVE SOME COMPLAINTS THAT THE DEALER IS INVESTIGATING. MY MAIN COMPLAINT IS THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS LISTED FOR THIS MODEL AND POSSIBLY THIS YEAR ON ANOTHER WEBSITE THAT I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT AFTER RECENTLY BUYING MY VEHICLE. I HAVE POSTED A MESSAGE THERE ABOUT THIS SITE SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT. IT IS: HTTP://FORUMS.CLUBRSX.COM/FORUMDISPLAY.PHP?F=55 ALSO, YOUR SECURE WEBFORM IS BROKEN. YOU CANNOT REPORT AUTOMOBILE COMPLAINTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10132333
Incident
Aug 11, 2005
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 27, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE ARE MECHANICAL DIFFICULTIES WITH THE RV. DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER TO CUT OUT THE CO2 DETECTION. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE UNIT. THERE IS NO GAS OR CO2 DETECTION IN IT. THE SENSORS HAVE BEEN DISCONNECTED BECAUSE THE ALARMS GO OFF, AND THEY WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT THE ALARMS WOULD GO OFF AND THEY COULD NOT SLEEP. HE CONTACTED ALPHA AND THE DEALERSHIP, THEY WILL NOT HELP. THIS STARTED IN APRIL ,AND THEN OCCURRED AGAIN IN JUNE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO, THE PROBLEM BECAME PERSISTENT. IT IS A 2005 ALPHA SEE-YA MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10130370
Incident
Apr 28, 2005
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT DUTCHMEN THOR PRODUCES A CAMPER, TAB, AND THEY HAVE AN ALCO BRAKE SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE MODIFIED. THEY STATE IT HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED. ACCORDING TO ALCO IN UNITED KINGDOM, THE COMPANY IS SETTING UP THE SYSTEM WRONG ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TRIES TO GET INFORMATION FROM DUTCHMEN THOR THEY SEND HIM THE MANUAL FOR THE GERMAN BRAKE SYSTEM. ON THE TOE SHAFT, THE DAMPENING UNIT, IT IS SUPPOSE TO SLIDE BACK AND HIT AN OVERRUN LEVER THAT IS HOW IT IS BEING SET UP IN THE US. ON THE MANUAL, THERE IS NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOE SHAFT AND THE OVERRUN LEVER. ON THE UNITS THEY ARE PRODUCING THERE IS 1 5/8 INCH CLEARANCE. THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER CORRESPONDING WITH THE CONSUMER AND THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY INFORMATION TO THE DEALERS. THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH THE CLEARANCE SHOULD BE. THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO REFER HIM TO THE WEBSITE WITH THE GERMAN MANUAL IN IT. *NM

NHTSA ID
10128348
Incident
May 2, 2005
Powertrain (other)Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 5, 2005

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE TWO RIGHT TIRES BLEW OUT. THERE WAS NO WARNING, NO BULGE OR NOISE FROM THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TYPE OF TIRES. THEN THE OWNER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THERE WAS A STICKER ON FRONT OF TRAILER WHICH STATED THE TRAILER SHOULD HAVE 225 TIRES ON IT AND THE TRAILER WAS SOLD WITH 205 TIRES ON IT. ALSO, DEALER CLAIMED THAT THE STICKER WAS WRONG. THE MANUFACTURER DID RECOGNIZE THE CONCERN AND SENT THE OWNER BACK TO DEALER. OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE TRAILER SINCE THE AXLES WERE BENT, AND WERE DAMAGING THE NEW TIRES. DEALER SAID THE PLY WAS TOO THIN ON THE TIRES. THE OWNER STILL HAD THE OLD TIRES WHICH ONLY HAD 80 MILES ON THEM AT THE TIME OF THE BLOW OUT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10127444
Incident
Jul 5, 2005
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed May 19, 2005

DT: TWO CAR HAULER, MID AMERICA MFG., INC. ROUTE 1 BOX 875 BERTRAND, MO. 63823 CUSTOM BUILT TRAILER WHICH HAD VARIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. POOR WELDING, TIRES, INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING, HAND JACK WAS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE WEIGHT LOAD. NO LICENCE PLATE HOLDER. UNDERSIZED WHEEL WELLS. NO SAFETY REFLECTOR. SUSPENSION NOT EQUIPPED FOR WEIGHT LOAD. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE TRAILER WAS PURCHASED FROM THE INTERNET. IT WAS PAID FOR IT WITHOUT SEEING IT IN PERSON. ALL PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED AFTER PURCHSASE. MANUFACTURER IS NOT COOPERATIVE IN REPAIRING ANY OF THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10121418
Incident
Apr 18, 2005

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.

1STMON04002282

EQUIPMENT; WHEELS

The newsletter talks about inspecting wheel bearings, and the advantages of using Nev-R-Lube Bearings.

1STMON02282021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Power awning maintenance and care tips.

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.

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 Classic by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024010—
2023010—
2022020—
2021020—
2020020—
2019020—
2018010—
2017000—
2016010—
2015010—
2014010—
2009020—
2008020—
2007140—
2006340—
2005Viewing630—
2004740—
2003120—
2002020—
2001010—
1995100—

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.