RoadVitals

1998 Coachmen Santara

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.
5
Latest Oct 24, 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.
1
Latest Apr 12, 1999
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 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Coachmen Santara, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes240.0%
  • Engine120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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
99V076000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Apr 12, 1999
3,073 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES WITH BASEMENT CONVERTERS AND BASEMENT FREEZERS. A GROMMET MAY BE MISSING ALLOWING THE 110-VOLT WIRE TO RUB AGAINST A METAL EDGE.
The risk: IF A DIRECT SHORT WERE TO OCCUR, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTOR HOMES TO DETERMINE IF THE SUBJECT WIRES ARE PROPERLY PROTECTED. IF THEY ARE NOT, PROPER PROTECTION WILL BE ADDED, AND IF NECESSARY, THE WIRING WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED.
COACHMEN RV COMPANYView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 24, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE FUEL LIFTER PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING. THIS WAS THE 6TH PUMP TO BE REPLACED IN 8 YEARS. THE CONTACT FOUND A NHTSA RECALL # 05V062000, FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM: DIESEL, FUEL LIFT PUMP THAT HAD SIMILAR CONSEQUENCES. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DIRTY FUEL AND FUEL FILTERS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE GASKETS WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN GOING OVER A HILL. UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10171707
Incident
Aug 10, 2006
Mileage
40,441 mi
Filed Sep 14, 2003

1998 COACHMEN SANTARA AWNING MADE BY DOMETIC A&E, MODEL 8500, BLEW OPEN WITH A GUST OF WIND. THE ENSUING VIBRATION CAUSED THE FRONT SUPPORT ARM TO DEPLOY AND DROP DOWN. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER VEHICLE NEXT TO US IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT TO THEM AND OUR MOTORHOME. THIS AWNING, AND OTHER MODELS LIKE IT,NOW HAVE A NEW MECHANISM TO PREVENT THIS DEPLOYMENT, BUT THERE ARE MANY THOUSANDS ON THE ROAD WITH THE OLD MECHANISM AND NO RECALL ISSUED BY THE COMPANY TO REPLACE THEM, AND THESE TENS OF THOUSANDS MOTORHOME OWNERS ARE AT RISK OF AN ACCIDENT. *PH

NHTSA ID
10038884
Incident
Sep 30, 2002
Mileage
20,502 mi
Brakes
Filed May 4, 2001

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT 2 DEALERS FOR 11 MONTHS. DEALER REPLACED PADS/ HOSE ASSEMBLY/ MASTER CYLINDER/ GASKETS/ BRAKE LINES/ BOOSTER ASSEMBLY/ CALIPERS, AND REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAS VEHICLE BACK, BUT STILL HAS PROBLEMS WITH BRAKING. MANUFACTURER DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
887501
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2000

PE00-020; WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT INNER REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION WICH JUST MADE A LOUD NOISE. THEN, STOPPED/FOUND OUT TREAD WAS GONE. FORD, COUCHMAN MOTOR HOME, 1998, FIRESTONE LT225/75R16 M/S. *AK ANOTHER FIRESTONE STEEL TEX TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. *YH

NHTSA ID
870620
Incident
Aug 26, 2000
Brakes
Filed May 25, 1999

BRAKE PEDAL FELL APART CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL RESULTING IN VEHICLE COLLISION WITH SEVERAL OBJECTS. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) MJS.

NHTSA ID
545764
Incident
Apr 2, 1999

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Coachmen Santara by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006010—
2005060—
2004060—
2003120—
2002120—
2001220—
2000220—
1999520—
1998Viewing510—
1997310—
1996210—
1995310—
1994320—
1993220—

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.