RoadVitals

2004 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.
2
Latest Jan 11, 2016
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.
5
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the visibility category. 5 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

  • Visibility2100.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
08V534000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Oct 9, 2008
4,677 units potentially affected
The defect: DAMON IS RECALLING 4,677 MY 2004-2006 CHALLENGER, DAYBREAK, INTRUDER, MY 2004-2005 ESCAPER, ULTRASPORT, AND MY 2005 ASTORIA AND ASTORIA WALDORF MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR 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 08E032). 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 THE OWNER 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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Jan 11, 2016

THE DAMON MOTORHOME HAS A TWO PIECE WINDSHIELD THAT HAS AN INHERENT PROBLEM AS THE UNIT GET OLDER THE WINDSHIELD WILL UNEXPECTEDLY POP OUT OF THE RUBBER SEAL. IT SEEMS AS IF THE FLEXING OF THE FRONT CAP CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD TO POP OUT OF THE RUBBER SEAL AT THE TOP IN SOME CASES TO 1 INCH, 6-8 INCHES IN LENGTH. THIS CREATES A PROBLEM WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AND IT POPS OUT. IT ALLOWS WATER TO COME IN AND MAKE YOU WONDER IF THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD WILL FALL OUT OR WORSE BLOW IN ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER. THE MANUFACTURER, THOR WILL NOT HONOR THE PROBLEM AND BLOW IT OFF. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL MODELS WITH TWO PIECE WINDSHIELDS.

NHTSA ID
10819380
Incident
Sep 12, 2014
Mileage
31,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 28, 2015

WINDSHIELD POPPING OUT OF RUBBER GASKET WE BOUGHT THE 2004 DAMON MOTORHOME NEW AND HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH WATER LEAKING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD RUBBER GASKET. IN THE LAST YEAR WE HAVE HAD THE WINDSHIELD POP OUT OF THE RUBBER GASKET CAUSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF WATER TO COME IN DURING RAIN STORMS. WE SEALED THE WINDSHIELD THE BEST WE COULD TO KEEP OUT THE RAIN BUT THE GLASS WAS COMING OUT FURTHER AND FURTHER. WE TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY REMOVED THE WINDSHIELDS AND CLEANED THE RUBBER GASKET. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS USE THE WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT AGAIN ON THE TOP. THE DEALER THEN DECIDED THE COACH NEEDED A NEW RUBBER GASKET. THE DEALER THEN WENT REPLACED THE GASKET AND RE-INSTALLED THE WINDSHIELDS. AFTER A WEEK OF USE THE TOP OF THE GLASS WAS POPPED OUT OF THE NEW RUBBER GASKET. THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO KNOW. THE DAMON COMPANY NOW THOR MOTOR COACH, PO BOX 1486 ELKHART, INDIANA 46515 SHOULD BE MAKING A RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT IS HAPPENING ON MANY OF THE OLDER DAMON MODELS FROM 2002 - 2009

NHTSA ID
10778009
Incident
Sep 16, 2015
Mileage
30,000 mi

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—
2004Viewing250—
2003740—
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.