RoadVitals

2008 Dutchmen N Tense

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.
1
Latest May 1, 2009
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.
3
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Dutchmen N Tense, most frequently naming the other / unspecified category. 3 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

  • Other / unspecified1100.0%

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

3 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

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

Jun 25, 2009
2,735 units potentially affected
The defect: DUTCHMEN IS RECALLING 2,735 MY 2005-2010 N'TENSE, VICTORY LANE, WINNER'S CIRCLE, WILD THING, FOUR WINDS, AND DUTCHMEN RECREATIONAL TRAILERS. THESE TRAILERS CONTAIN A FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM WITH A SHUT-OFF SWITCH WHICH IS NOT SPARK PROTECTED AND IS MOUNTED IN THE NOZZLE STORAGE COMPARTMENT OF THE FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM. GASOLINE SPILLED ON THE SWITCH, OR GASOLINE VAPORS WHICH MIGHT BUILD UP IN THE VICINITY OF THE SWITCH DURING DISPENSING FUNCTIONS, MAY CREATE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION IF A SPARK IS GENERATED BY THE SWITCH.
The risk: THE RESULTING FIRE OR EXPLOSION COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS BURNS AND POSSIBLY DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE AN IGNITION PROTECTED SWITCH AND INSULATED TERMINALS TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SWITCH. THE REMEDY WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DUTCHMEN AT 1-866-869-1109.
DUTCHMEN MANUFACTURING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Jun 18, 2008
478 units potentially affected
The defect: DUTCHMEN IS RECALLING 478 MY 2007-2009 N'TENSE, VICTORY LANE, AND WINNER'S CIRCLE TRAVEL TRAILERS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, 'LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.' THESE TRAILERS WERE BUILT WITHOUT REAR REFLEX REFLECTORS.
The risk: LACK OF REFLECTORS COULD LEAD TO REDUCED VISIBILITY OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL SEND REFLECTORS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO CUSTOMERS. CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF INSTALLING THE REFLECTORS OR TAKE THEIR TRAVEL TRAILER TO THE NEAREST DUTCHMEN CERTIFIED DEALER TO HAVE THE INSTALLATION DONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 14, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DUTCHMEN AT 1-866-869-1109.
DUTCHMEN MANUFACTURING, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed May 1, 2009

WE HAVE A 2008 GRAND JUNCTION, WE BOUGHT IN OCT. OF 2007. ONE MONTH AFTER WE BOUGHT IT WE NOTICED A WHEEL WAS NOT RIGHT AND WE HAD IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE SPINDLE NUT WAS PUT ON WRONG. WE HAD THAT FIXED AND THEY CHECKED THE OTHER WHEELS TO SEE IF THEY WERE OK. NOTHING ELSE WAS FOUND. WE WENT ON A TRIP TO PA.,( JULY OF 08) AND ONE OF OUR TIRES STARTING WEARING, SO WHEN WE GOT BACK TO FLORIDA WE HAD OUR DEALER CHECK IT OUT AND THEY FOUND THE BEARINGS WERE BAD. THEY TOLD US THE BEARING WARRANTY IS ONLY FOR 6000 MILES OR 6 MONTHS. WE DID NOT HAVE OUR WARRANTY BOOK TO DISPUTE THIS AND PAID OUR DEALER $134.79 TO FIX THE BEARINGS ONLY. WE STILL HAVE A BAD TIRE, THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN WE DID GET OUR WARRANTY BOOK BACK, WE SAW BEARINGS ARE 12,000 MILES OR 12 MONTHS. I THINK DUTCHMEN SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. THESE TWO WHEELS WERE ON THE SAME AXLE OPPOSITE SIDES. NOW IN JAN. 09, WE WERE COMING BACK FROM ALABAMA AND STOPPED TO GET GAS AND AS WE WERE PULLING OUT, ANOTHER WHEEL ACTUALLY FELL OF AND WENT FLYING ABOUT 30 YDS. INTO THE WOODS. THIS WHEEL DID CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE FIFTH WHEEL. WE HAD TO HAVE THE FIFTH WHEEL PUT ON A TRAILER BED TO GET TOWED TO OUR DEALER AND AS THEY WERE TAKING IT ON THE BACK ROADS BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET IT UNDER THE OVER PASSES ON I-75 IN FLORIDA THE TOW PEOPLE DID A LOT OF DAMAGE GETTING UNDER THE TREES. WE CONTACTED THE AXLE WARRANTY AND THEY REFUSED WARRANTY, BECAUSE THEY SAID SOMEONE ELSE MUST OF TAMPERED WITH IT. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. THIS RIG NOW HAS HAD THREE DIFFERENT WHEELS GO BAD AND I'M NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH WARRANTY. THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. OUR DEALER IS LONGVIEW RV SUPERSTORE IN DOVER FL. WE DON'T NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE PULLING THIS RIG ANY MORE. THE LAST WHEEL WHEN IT CAME OFF COULD OF KILLED US OR SOMEONE ELSE IF WE WERE STILL ON I-75. CAN YOU HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE, I DO HAVE THE PAPER WORK ON ALL THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG WITH THIS RIG. THANK YOU, DEREK AND KIM SUTHERLY *TR

NHTSA ID
10267512
Incident
Dec 30, 2008

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dutchmen N Tense by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2010030
2009140
2008Viewing130
2007030
2006010
2005010

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.