RoadVitals

2016 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.
3
Latest Jan 19, 2026
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.
1
Latest Jun 2, 2015
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 2016 Airstream Interstate, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Electrical240.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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

1 campaign 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
15V336000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Jun 2, 2015
232 units potentially affected
The defect: Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Airstream Interstate NCV3 B motorhomes manufactured August 1, 2014, to May 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, if the screen door is in the closed position and the vehicle's curbside sliding door is closed, the motorhome occupants may not be able to move the screen door in order to open the sliding door to exit the vehicle.
The risk: If occupants are unable to open the sliding door and exit the vehicle in the event of an emergency, they would be at an increased risk of injury.
The remedy: Airstream will notify owners, and dealers will attach a stop on the screen door to keep the sliding door from shutting if the screen door is closed, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2015. Owners may contact Airstream customer service at 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

ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Jan 19, 2026

This complaint concerns a 2016 Airstream Interstate motorhome that has experienced multiple safety-critical failures involving the electrical system, engine starting system, fuel/propulsion system, and electrically controlled exterior components. While driving at highway speed, the exterior power awning deployed without warning or user input. The awning repeatedly extended and retracted uncontrollably, and the control switches were ineffective. I was forced to pull over on the freeway shoulder, cut electrical power to stop the motion, manually retract the awning, and secure it to prevent detachment. This created an immediate risk of collision and danger to surrounding motorists. Additional failures include complete engine non-start, generator failure, and a severe propane odor originating from the exterior propane system. The propane odor was strong enough to trigger the interior propane alarm, indicating a potential fire or explosion risk. The vehicle is now completely inoperable. The engine will not start and the ignition key will not turn. The vehicle cannot be driven and would require towing for inspection. These failures occurred progressively under normal use and were not caused by collision, misuse, or modification. This vehicle is a 2016 Airstream Interstate built on a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis; the VIN corresponds to the Mercedes chassis model year.

NHTSA ID
11711949
Incident
Dec 31, 1969
Suspension
Filed Jul 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE 2500. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO TOW A 2016 AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRAILER VEERED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT APPLICABLE. UPDATED 09/23/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE SUSPENSION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRAILER HAS AN ILLEGAL AMOUNT OF TONGUE WEIGHT. *JS

NHTSA ID
10882068
Incident
Feb 25, 2016
Electrical
Filed Sep 4, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 AIRSTREAM INTERSTATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FUSE WAS BLOWN SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH SHORTED THE VARIOUS INTERIOR LIGHTING, THE GAUGES, MONITORS, AND FUNCTIONS INTERNALLY WITHIN THE RV. EACH TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED, THE LP MONITOR FLASHED AND THE FAILURE WAS PROGRESSING RANDOMLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUSE WAS NOT SEPARATELY WIRED AS INDICATED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.

NHTSA ID
10761717
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Mileage
400 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—
2016Viewing310—
2015020—
2014210—
2013120—
2012020—
2011120—
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.