RoadVitals

2011 Airstream Interstate

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.
1
Latest Jun 29, 2017
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.
2
Latest Dec 20, 2012
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2011 Airstream Interstate, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 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 & structure1100.0%

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

2 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
12V596000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dec 20, 2012
576 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Interstate motorhomes manufactured August 2007, through December 2012 and equipped with the rear sofa floor plan. The electrical equipment underneath the sofa may come in contact with the seat belt buckle or metal cables from the seat.
The risk: If the metal sofa components come in contact with the electrical components, electrical arcing could occur. Arcing may lead to a vehicle fire.
The remedy: Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will install a cover over the electrical components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by late January 2013. Owners may contact Airstream at 1-877-596-6111.
Airstream, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
11V349000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Jul 8, 2011
281 units potentially affected
The defect: AIRSTREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2012 INTERSTATE TOURING COACHES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 18, 2008, THROUGH JUNE 24, 2011. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRE COULD BE DAMAGED OR SEVERED WHEN THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS ADJUSTED FORWARD, BACKWARD, OR SWIVELED. THIS WIRE ALLOWS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AND THE VEHICLE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) INDICATING IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS OCCUPIED AND THE SEAT BELT IS BUCKLED.
The risk: IF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE WIRE IS DAMAGED OR SEVERED, THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER WILL NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO NOT BE SECURED TO THE SEAT, PREVENTING PROPER OPERATION OF THE SRS WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The remedy: AIRSTREAM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE COACHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 1-937-538-1268.
AIRSTREAM, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Jun 29, 2017
1 injury reported

ON THE 2011 AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE MOTORHOME, A MECHANICAL STEP UNDER THE SLIDING DOOR RETRACTS AUTOMATICALLY WITH A POWERFUL ELECTRIC MOTOR. THE STEP WILL RETRACT IF THE VAN IS STARTED, EVEN IF THE DOOR IS OPEN. I WAS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE AND ENTERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. MY WIFE OPENED THE SLIDING DOOR AND I STARTED THE VAN AT THE EXACT MOMENT SHE PLACED HER FOOT ON THE STEP. IT RETRACTED, PULLING HER OPEN FOOTT INTO THE SMALL STEP OPENING UNTIL THE STEP JAMMED. THE STEP KEPT PULLING ON HER FOOT UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION WITH THE FRONT OF HER HER FOOT AND TOES JAMMED INTO THE OPENING. I HAD TO PUSH HARD DOWN ON THE STEP TO RELEASE HER FOOT SINCE THE OPENING OF THE STEP WAS PRESSED HARD AGAINST THE TOP AND FRONT OF HER FOOT. IF SHE HAD BEEN BAREFOOT OR HAD IT BEEN A CHILD'S FOOT, TOES COULD BE AMPUTATED OR THE FOOT CRUSHED AND PERCENT INJURY COULD OCCUR. SHE SUFFERED PAIN AND BRUISING BUT NO PERMANENT INJURY MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE THICK SOLE ON HER SANDLE HELPED STOP THE STEP FROM RETRACTING. AIRSTREAM LATER ADDED A MAGNETIC SWITCH IN LATER MODELS THAT PREVENTS THE STEP FROM RETRACTING IF THE DOOR IS OPEN BUT HAS NEITHER ISSUED A RECALL OR WARNED CUSTOMERS OF EARLIER MODELS THAT DO NOT HAVE THIS SWITCH OF THIS DEFECT THAT COULD CAUSE PAINFUL AND PERMANENT INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, PARKED IN A PUBLIC SPACE, WHEN THE EVENT OCCURRED.

NHTSA ID
11002419
Incident
Jun 27, 2017
Mileage
52,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.

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.

1STTTN0100528202

EQUIPMENT

This newsletter includes information regarding: - A new TV and Radio Antenna Combo that has the capability to receive both signals, and eliminates the need for a second antenna. - New radios being installed in certain travel trailers, and includes the features of the new radios. - Advises of the use of a new power tounge jack we started installing on certain travel trailers in January 2020. We've included manual crank handle instructions, as well as maintenance tips. - A breakdown of our vendor's parts warranty which include the warranty length and requirements by vendor. - Airtsream technician training and how to sign up.

1STMON034042820

EQUIPMENT

The newsletter discusses the importants of cleaning and mainataining safety devices installed in Airstream products, i.e. checking batteries in smoke alarms, checking dates on fire extinguishers etc. The newsletter also provides a how-to on disinfecting an RV.

1STMON03332820

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This installment talks about preparing their RV for the upcoming camping season. It provide tips on inspecting sealant, as well as which type of wax we recommend, and how often the owner should wax their units.

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 Interstate by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026020—
2025020—
2024040—
2023050—
2022050—
2021060—
2020230—
2019030—
2018110—
2017000—
2016310—
2015020—
2014210—
2013120—
2012020—
2011Viewing120—
2010020—
2009030—
2008020—
2007010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—

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.