RoadVitals

1999 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 Feb 8, 2011
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 1999 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the brakes, driver assistance and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 2 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

  • Brakes350.0%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Powertrain (other)116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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
01V091002

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 20, 2001
923 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS N841, N821, N641, AND N621. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK CAUSED BY OPERATION IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE. IF A LEAK OCCURS, THE COOLING PERFORMANCE OF THE REFRIGERATOR WILL DETERIORATE, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING UNIT.
The risk: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NORCOLD WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS. NORCOLD WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101 OR DAMON AT 1-937-497-3080.
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

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

Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DAMON CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE WHEEL SCREWS WERE TIGHTENED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES FOLLOWING REPAIRS AND WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ID
10381118
Incident
Nov 1, 2005
Mileage
25,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 5, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DAMON CHALLENGER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V336000) IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER HOWEVER; IN DECEMBER, THEY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN MARCH OF 2008. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ANTICIPATED DATE OF ARRIVAL FOR THE PART. AS OF THE DECEMBER 5, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE WAIT TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 12/31/07 *BF UPDATED *JB

NHTSA ID
10210931
Incident
Sep 5, 2007
Brakes
Filed May 30, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, BRAKES LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO GET UNDER VEHICLE TO REMOVE A CLEVIS PIN FROM THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE, THE CABLE WAS UNDER PRESSURE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
889417
Incident
May 28, 2001
Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2000

LOST BRAKES AT LOW SPEED TWICE

NHTSA ID
731864
Incident
May 28, 2000
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 4, 2000

FORD CHASSIS FOR MOTOR HOMES ARE FOR 11000 GVWR OR 13000 GVWR, AND CONSUMER SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY STUFF ON VEHICLE. A COMPANY BY THE NAME OF "A WEIGHT WE GO" SAID THAT FRONT AXLE WEIGHED IN AT THE CORRECT WEIGHT, BUT REAR AXLE CAME IN OVER THE WEIGHT LIMIT. CONSUMER FEELS MANUFACTURER USES INSUFFICIENT AXLE SIZE, AND CONSUMER CAN'T PUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THE MOTORHOME, SUCH AS DISHES, ETC. *ML

NHTSA ID
861430
Incident
Sep 4, 1999
Suspension
Filed Oct 13, 1999

ON A FORD CHASSIS; WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR RAILROAD TRACKS, MOTORHOME IS DRAGGING THE REAR GAS TANK WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE A LEAK/FIRE. FORD INDICATES THERE IS TOO MUCH OVERLOAD ON MOTORHOME. FRONT UNIT WAS DESIGNED TO HOLD 7,000 LBS, AND THE REAR END 11,000 LBS. BUT WHEN GAS TANK IS FILLED UP, MOTORHOME FRONT END HOLDS 5,700 LBS, AND THE REAR END 12,800LBS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
850575
Incident
Mar 1, 1999

Manufacturer communications

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

99077

INFORMATION ON ADDING A HAND RAIL TO THE ENTRY DOORWAY ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES. *TT

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—
1999Viewing631—
1998631—
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.