RoadVitals

2005 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 Mar 14, 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.
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the body & structure and brakes categories. 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Brakes150.0%

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
06V451000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Nov 28, 2006
1,517 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
The remedy: CHEVROLET AND WORKHORSE ARE HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225 AND 06V289). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773, OR DAMON AT 1-574-264-5517.
DAMON CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DAMON CHALLENGER RV WITH A WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER REPAIRS WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. A LOCAL MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE PREVIOUS TECHNICIAN HAD NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED THE BRAKE LINE DOWN TO THE CALIBER. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HE WOULD COVER PARTIAL EXPENSES OF THE REPAIR COSTS DUE TO HIS ERROR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,523 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,563.

NHTSA ID
10390069
Incident
Mar 4, 2011
Mileage
14,523 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 19, 2006
2 injuries reported

I ATTEMPTED TO DO A NARRATIVE HERE BEFORE, BUT IT WAS TO LONG FOR YOUR WEB SITE TO ACCEPT. I HAVE THE NARRATIVE TYPED UP AND WILL CONTINUE HERE AND SEE AT THE END HOW I CAN GET THE NARRATIVE TO YOU BUY OTHER MEANS. *NM WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A ENGINE COOLANT LEAK. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE SMELL OF THE COOLANT MADE THE CONSUMERS SICK. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED FROM LABORED BREATHING, COUGHING AND THEIR EYES WERE STINGING AND TEARING. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BUT THE BUZZER DID NOT GO OFF NOR DID THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE, AS THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATED IT SHOULD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY. THE TECH DISCOVERED THAT ALL THE COOLANT HAD LEAKED OUT AND THAT RODENTS HAD GOTTEN INTO THE FRAME RAILS, WHERE THE HEATER HOSES AND A LOT OF ELECTRICAL WIRING WAS. THE RODENT HAD EATEN THROUGH THE HEATER HOSES AND HAD MADE AN NEST. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT EH MOTORHOME INDUSTRY NEEDS TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO RODENT PROOF ALL MOTORHOMES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171307
Incident
Oct 1, 2006
Mileage
1,984 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—
2005Viewing250—
2004250—
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.