2016 Airstream Interstate Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2016 Airstream Interstate, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .