RoadVitals

2003 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.
7
Latest Jan 22, 2010
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.
4
Latest Jun 16, 2009
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have 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

  • Visibility240.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Brakes120.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
09V225000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Jun 16, 2009
2,415 units potentially affected
The defect: DAMON IS RECALLING 2,415 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG.
The risk: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
DAMON CORPORATIONView 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
06V132000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Apr 24, 2006
1,705 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.
The risk: AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DAMON IS WORKING WITH WORKHORSE TO CONTACT THE OWNERS AND REMEDY THIS CAMPAIGN . WORKHORSE WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.
DAMON CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER, WORKHORSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V225000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016, COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER. BEFORE ANY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS AT NO COST; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK-UP. THE REPAIRS COST WAS OVER $800 AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER DESPITE THE FACT THAT HER SPECIFIC RV WAS A PART OF THE RECALL. THE WORKHORSE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE INSPECTION TO THE VEHICLE NOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ANY PARTS SINCE THE PARTS ARE SUBJECT TO WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT THAT SHE NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER SINCE HE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO GIVE HER ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT SHE WAS BEING CHARGED FOR COMPONENTS AND INSPECTIONS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS NOT HONORED. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, A FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND AN INSPECTION, ALL OF WHICH WERE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 33,000.

NHTSA ID
10301932
Incident
Jan 20, 2010
Mileage
33,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 11, 2005

STALLING WHEN IT RAINS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AIR FILTER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT TIRE KICKS UP WATER IN THE AIR FILTER HOUSING SOAKING THE AIR FILTER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILTER IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. CARRYING EXTRA AIR FILTERS IS STARTING TO GET EXPENSIVE. RIGHT NOW I USE DUCK TAPE TO SEAL THE FILTER BOX. *NM

NHTSA ID
10136118
Incident
Aug 18, 2005
Mileage
19,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Mar 29, 2004

SUN VISORS CAN NOT BE REACHED WHILE SITTING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ADJUST. AT TIMES THIS IS REAL DANGERIOUS SINCE MOST OF THE HIGHWAYS DO NOT HAVE PLACES WIDE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THIS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REAL BAD WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE WEST.*AK

NHTSA ID
10064067
Incident
Jun 6, 2003
Mileage
1,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Feb 5, 2004

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUN VISORS ON THE MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER HAD TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AND STAND UP TO REACH THE SUNVISOR. ONCE THE VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN IT WAS TOO SHORT TO BLOCK THE GLARE OF THE SUN AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE WHILE DRIVING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10057570
Body & structure
Filed Jun 17, 2003

INSIDE COMPARTMENT DOORS DON'T HAVE SUPPORT, THIS IS SAFETY A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT WELL DESIGNED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024235
Incident
Jun 17, 2003
Filed Jun 17, 2003

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SUNVISORS CAN BE REACHED FROM THE SEAT, ARE USELESS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10024233
Incident
Jun 17, 2003
Filed May 31, 2003

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING SHACKEL RUBBED AGAINST THE MOTORHOMES PROPANE TANK. DEALER PAID FOR ADJUSTMENT TO PROPANE TANK HOLDING STRAP. *TT

NHTSA ID
10020821
Incident
May 29, 2003

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—
2003Viewing740—
2002230—
2001150—
2000340—
1999631—
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.