RoadVitals

1998 Damon Challenger

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 Nov 22, 2004
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 Mar 20, 2007
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.
1
1 currently open
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 1998 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the body & structure, brakes and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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 & structure222.2%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Interior & seats111.1%
  • Exterior lighting111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Transmission111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%

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
07V130000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 20, 2007
25,128 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, 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: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DAMON WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). 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 YOU 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 DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.
DAMON CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
99V202000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Jul 23, 1999
1,767 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A GENERATOR MUFFLER STRAP WAS OMITTED DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS.
The risk: THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CAN VIBRATE LOOSE, POSSIBLY DETACHING FROM THE UNIT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MUFFLER STRAP.
DAMON CORPORATIONManufacturer number 98-068View on NHTSA.gov
98V213000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Sep 4, 1998
101 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A AND C MOTOR HOMES. THE HARDWARE USED TO SECURE THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) TANK WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY.
The risk: IF THE LP TANK IS NOT SECURED, THE TANK COULD FALL TO THE GROUND WHILE THE MOTOR HOME IS BEING DRIVEN.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MOTOR HOMES TO VERIFY THAT THE PROPER HARDWARE IS BEING USED AND THAT ALL NUTS ARE TIGHTENED PROPERLY.
DAMON CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

SQ99013OpenInvestigation

OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER

Opened May 19, 1999

THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM.HISTORICALLY, PROBLEMS THAT WOULD ALLOW VEHICLE COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY CONDUCTING SAFETY RECALLS.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 99V202000

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 22, 2004

BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED . ONE MANIFOLD STUD BROKE OFF AT THE HEAD. WIRING HARNESS STARTED TO MELT DUE TO HOT EXHAUST. THIS IS A 454 CHEV. ENGINE. WE HAD TO INSERT METAL PLATE TO DEFLECT THE EXHAUST UNTIL WE COULD GET IT FIXED. IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW FOR REPAIR ON THE RIGHT EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND REPLACEMENT ON THE LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. WE WILL HAVE THE OLD PARTS WHEN DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10100332
Incident
Aug 24, 2004
Mileage
35,500 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 22, 2004

BOUGHT UNIT USED ,DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. AIR CONDITIONER HAS TO BE PUT ON TO GET THE HEAT OUT OF THE VENTS PRIOR TO USING THE VENTS. NONE OF THE DOOR ARE SWITCHING TO DIRECT THE AIR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10100331
Incident
May 10, 2000
Body & structure
Filed Oct 8, 2002

THE SPRINGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE MOTORHOME COLLASPED. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE SIZE 16 CHASSIS IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO CARRY A 3500 FOOT MOTORHOME. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. MR

NHTSA ID
8020420
Interior & seatsExterior lightingSuspension+1 more
Filed Jun 17, 2002

THE MOTOR HOME WAS LEANING ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND IT CONTINUED TO WORSEN UNTIL THE SPRING COLLAPSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SPRING COLLAPSED DUE TO BEING OVER WEIGHT AND WANTED TO CUT OFF THE RIGHT SPRING TO BALANCE THE RV. *YH

NHTSA ID
566089
Incident
Jul 1, 1998
Body & structure
Filed Jun 3, 2002

SCREWS WERE RUSTING OUT ON LATTER LOCATED ON BACK OF TRAILER. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8010945
Incident
Jun 2, 2002
Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 1998

WHEN DRIVING WITH FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR DRIVER CAN RAISE AND CATCH UNDERNEATH THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER CONTACTED AND ADMITTED TO PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
832496
Incident
Jun 6, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

98064

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:SLIDE-IN CAMPER

PROCEDURES ON INSTALLING A SLIDE ROOM MECHANICAL STOP. *TT

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

Damon Challenger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012010—
2011120—
2010030—
2009050—
2008340—
2007260—
2006360—
2005250—
2004250—
2003740—
2002230—
2001150—
2000340—
1999631—
1998Viewing631—
1997220—
1996100—
1994200—
1993001—
1992001—
1991100—

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.