RoadVitals

2008 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.
3
Latest Apr 5, 2021
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 Nov 10, 2015
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Damon Challenger, most frequently naming the body & structure, other / unspecified and visibility categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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 & structure250.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

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
15V745000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 10, 2015
12,656 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.
The risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000111View on NHTSA.gov
11V058000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Jan 25, 2011
371 units potentially affected
The defect: THOR MOTOR COACH IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 DAMON CHALLENGER, MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 CHALLENGER PLATINUM, MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 DAYBREAK, MODEL YEAR 2010 DAYBREAK CLASSIC, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DAYBREAK SPORT, MODEL YEAR 2007-2009, OUTLAW AND MODEL YEAR 2011 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE, RECREATIONAL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 2007, THROUGH AUGUST 2008. THE FUEL-FILL CAP ASSEMBLIES USED TO SEAL THE UNUSED SIDE OF THE DUAL-FILL GASOLINE FUEL TANK WERE PRODUCED WITH A HOSE MATERIAL THAT DID NOT MEET DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. DURING NORMAL USAGE THE HOSE MATERIAL MAY DETERIORATE WHICH MAY RESULT IN FUEL LEAKS.
The risk: A FUEL LEAK INCREASES THE RISK OF A FIRE WHICH MAY RESULT IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.
The remedy: NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE'S DEFECT REPORT 10V-348. NAVISTAR/WORKHORSE WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FUEL-FILL CAP ASSEMBLIES WITH ONES ASSEMBLED WITH HOSE MATERIAL THAT MEETS DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NAVISTAR AT 1-260-461-1890.
THOR MOTOR COACHView on NHTSA.gov
10V407000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK ASSEMBLY

Sep 9, 2010
271 units potentially affected
The defect: DAMON IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 CHALLENGER, MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 INTRUDER MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE REAR SUSPENSION LEAF SPRING AND THE VEHICLE LIQUID PROPANE FUEL TANK. AS THE SUSPENSION TRAVELS IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE LEAF SPRING SHACKLE BOLT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE TANK. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD PUNCTURE THE TANK AND RESULT IN A FIRE OR EXPLOSION.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DAMON WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PROPER CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE SHACKLE BOLT AND THE TANK EXISTS. IF IT IS FOUND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE, THE TANK WILL BE RELOCATED TO PROVIDE THE PROPER CLEARANCE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAMON WARRANTY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 877-855-2867.
THOR MOTOR COACHManufacturer number RC000018View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Apr 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DAMON CHALLENGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V745000 (EQUIPMENT) SEVERAL YEARS AGO HOWEVER, HE DID NOT CONTACT A DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED. THE CONTACT STATED RECENTLY THE RETRACTABLE STEPS FAILED TO COMPLETELY RETRACT. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO BEND THE HANDRAILS IN ORDER FOR THE STEPS TO RETRACT. THE LOCAL DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

NHTSA ID
11406438
Incident
Apr 16, 2020
Mileage
19,000 mi
Visibility
Filed May 6, 2016

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GLASS DURING A RAINSTORM. VERY DANGEROUS. THE MOTOR IS RUNNING SO HAS POWER BUT THE LINK TO THE ARMS IS STALLED OUT WITH DRIVE ARM JAMMED AGAINST THE MOUNTING BOLT. 28" ARMS ARE TOO LONG SO HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH 24" BLADES AS USED IN 2007. DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WITH LINKAGE. THIS IS THE SECOND ASSEMBLY TO FAIL WITHIN 3 YEARS ON THE SAME MOTORHOME.

NHTSA ID
10863529
Incident
May 5, 2016
Mileage
35,260 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DAMON CHALLENGER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE TV, WHICH WAS POSITIONED ON THE CEILING ABOVE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEAT BEGAN TO SLIDE FORWARD. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE MOUNTING SCREWS WERE OUT OF PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND HE REPLACED THE MOUNTING SCREWS. AFTER DRIVING ANOTHER 200 MILES THE FAILURE RECURRED AND HE ADDED A LARGER SET OF SCREWS TO MOUNT THE TV IN PLACE. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE STEPS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY DETERIORATED. HE PERFORMED A REPAIR ON THE STEPS HIMSELF AS WELL. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE EXAMINED FOR STEP FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,200. UPDATED 02/10/11 *BF UPDATED 04/20/11

NHTSA ID
10362494
Incident
Oct 11, 2010
Mileage
14,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

LTR 110317

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This letter stated that there was one (1) Service Notification issued for the month of October, 2017.

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—
2008Viewing340—
2007260—
2006360—
2005250—
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.