RoadVitals

2012 Drv Elite Suite

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 13, 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.
1
Latest Nov 22, 2017
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Drv Elite Suite, most frequently naming the other / unspecified and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Other / unspecified150.0%
  • Suspension150.0%

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

1 campaign 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
17V753000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
7,896 units potentially affected
The defect: DRV Suites (DRV) is recalling certain 2007-2018 Elite Suites, 2014-2018 Full House, 2003-2018 Mobile Suites, 2010-2018 Mobile Suite Estates, 2006-2012 Select Suite, 2013-2016 Tradition, and 2017 Travel Suites recreational vehicles, equipped with certain Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: DRV will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact DRV customer service at 1-574-457-6472, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
DRV SuitesView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Jan 13, 2016

A SHACKLE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE LEAF SPRING TO THE FRAME OF THE TRAILER BROKE. THIS CAUSED THE AXLE TO MOVE FORWARD. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED AT VERY LOW SPEED (I WAS TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT). WHEN THE AXLE MOVED FORWARD THE TIRE BEGAN TO RUB AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE TRAILER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE SIDE PANELS OF THE TRAILER. A TIRE BLOW OUT COULD HAVE ALSO CAUSED THE TRAILER TO BECOME UNSTABLE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT IF I HAD LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND TRAILER. THE TRAILER IS A FIFTH WHEEL TYPE TRAVEL TRAILER. THERE WAS NO REASON WHY THIS BOLT BROKE. THE TRAILER IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD AND HAD BEEN USED VERY LITTLE. I HAVE HAD THE SHACKLE BOLT REPLACED AT A RV DEALER. THEY TOLD ME THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IS VERY VERY RARE. THE MECHANIC THAT REPLACED THE SHACKLE BOLT HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A RV TRAVEL TRAILER. SOON AFTER I DECIDED TO HAVE ALL 14 SHACKLE BOLTS REPLACED TO ENSURE THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT RE-APPEAR. THE COMPANY THAT REPLACED THE BOLTS ALSO HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM ON A TRAVEL TRAILER. ANOTHER RV DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. I EVEN WENT SO FAR TO GO TO A RV FORUM WEBSITE TO ELICIT COMMENTS FROM OTHER RV OWNERS ON THIS MATTER. A NUMBER OF COMMENTS SAID THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO REPLACE ALL THE SHACKLE BOLTS. FINALLY I CONTACTED THE TRAILER MANUFACTURER - DRV. THEY ASKED FOR A PICTURE OF THE BROKEN BOLT WHICH I SENT TO THEM. I ALSO SENT THEM THE BROKEN BOLT AND A FEW SAMPLES OF THE SHACKLE BOLTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED. WHEN I ASKED IF THEY INTENDED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS DRV REPLIED THEY WOULD BE TAKING NO ACTION ON THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10819989
Incident
Dec 20, 2015
Mileage
10,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 15, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DRV ELITE SUITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, HE WAS MADE AWARE BY ANOTHER DRIVER THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V246000 (EQUIPMENT) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10484760
Incident
Mar 23, 2012

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Drv Elite Suite by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2021010—
2020010—
2019010—
2018020—
2017110—
2016010—
2015210—
2014120—
2013110—
2012Viewing210—
2011031—
2010021—
2009010—
2008021—
2007310—

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.