RoadVitals

2003 Dutchmen Aero

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 Aug 18, 2014
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.
2
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Dutchmen Aero, most frequently naming the steering and tires & wheels categories. 2 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

  • Steering150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
17V755000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
1,205,997 units potentially affected
The defect: Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V755-5127.pdf. 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: Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1-574-535-2100, 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. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.
Keystone RV CompanyManufacturer number 17-307View on NHTSA.gov
03V465000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 12, 2003
24,113 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE OVENS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.
The risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.
The remedy: SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR DUTCHMEN AT 574-537-0700.
DUTCHMEN MANUFACTURING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Aug 18, 2014
Crash reported2 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING OUR DUTCH STAR MOTORHOME ON NORTHBOUND HIGHWAY 101 AT 55 MPH IN THE LOS ANGELES CA. AREA AND IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THE 4 LANE FREEWAY, THE COACH SUDDENLY VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND I HAD NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD SCREECHING ROARING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE AS THE COACH INSTANTLY CROSSED ALL OF THE REMAINING 3 LANES OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IMPACTED THE CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER AT FREEWAY SPEED AND AT APPROXIMATELY A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE LANES OF TRAFFIC. THE COACH WAS DEFLECTED AFTER IS SLAMMED INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER AND THEN SLID ANOTHER 300 FEET ALONG THE WALL UNTIL IT CAME TO REST ON THE WALL IN THE CENTER MEDIAN. UPON LATER EXAMINING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE MOTOR HOME ONCE IT WAS TOWED TO THE IMPOUND YARD AND PLACED UP ON BLOCKS, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING CASTING THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TIE ROD HAD BROKEN ALLOWING THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO IMMEDIATELY TURN TO THE FULL LEFT TURN POSITION WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO STEERING CONTROL AS WE VEERED TOWARD THE 4 LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANES THAT WERE TRAVELING AT AROUND 65 TO 70 MPH. MY WIFE AND I WANT TO WARN OTHERS OF A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN OTHER STEERING CASTINGS OF THE SAME DESIGN THAT COULD CAUSE ANOTHER WRECK WITH THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH. THE MOTORHOME WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626059
Incident
Jul 29, 2014
Mileage
66,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 29, 2005

CARLISLE TIRES ON TRAVEL TRAILER, HAD 1 TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE TRAVELING,LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THEM. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED. DAMAGE TO NEW TRAILER AND COSTS OUT OF MY POCKET FOR JUNK TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10130533
Incident
Jul 10, 2005

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dutchmen Aero by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004010—
2003Viewing220—
2002010—
2001210—

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.