2017 Grand Design Momentum Owner Complaints

Based on internet craze of and symptoms of Frame Flex | Frame Failure on Grand Design Momentum 5th wheels I had my unit measured for Fram Flex by Grand Design at the GD East Coast Rally. According to their measurements at that time I was 1/16 inch away from needing to be concerned regarding frame flex. After the fact in reading Lippert Components Incorporated (LCI) measuring instructions Grand Design did NOT measure my unit per LCI's instructions. After much thought and continued symptoms of frame flex we decided to incur personal expenses and took our unit to Affinity RV group of Goshen Indiana to have an independent frame inspection completed. Affinity RV measured our unit following Lippert measuring instructions and confirmed Frame Flex. They are adding gussets and other assorted items to correct this Grand Design manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ID

11630779

Incident

Nov 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact stated that the exterior storage doors failed to close properly. The contact stated that the generator doors almost detached, and the front rubber trim hold was detaching. The RV was towed to the dealer, where several repairs were performed; however, the frame continued to fracture. The dealer advised the contact to park the RV. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11608008

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

This is a 43 foot fifth wheel RV. The frame near the front of the RV is showing signs of "frame-flex," or frame cracking. The attached pictures illustrate where the walls are shifting and creating wear marks; this is consistent with other RV owners experiences the same problem. This issue could contribute in further frame cracking that may result in significant property damage or even death. I plan to report this issue today to the manufacturer, Grand Design.

NHTSA ID

11591491

Incident

May 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V038000 (Equipment). The local dealer was contacted but declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue but provided no additional assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO DEALER IN THE STATE ABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL AS A SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED.

NHTSA ID

11464073

Incident

Jan 28, 2022

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM RV EQUIPPED WITH FTS TIRES, TIRE LINE: WESTLAKE, TIRE SIZE: ST235/80/R16 N/A, DOT NUMBER: JUMR2CT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT. AFTER EACH FAILURE, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS 3,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE FOR THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,200.

NHTSA ID

11355172

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

3,000 mi

THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS INC ON THIS RV AND MANY OTHER RV'S HAVE AN ISSUE KNOWN BY THE MAUFACTURER RELATED TO AXLE GREASE LEAKING PAST THE INNER LIP SEAL. THE EXCESS LEAKING GREASE CONTAMINATES THE BRAKE PAD AND DRUM CONTACT SURFACES RESULTING IN SEVERLY DIMINISHED BRAKING ABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IN EMERGENCY STOPPING SITUATIONS.

NHTSA ID

11204463

Incident

Apr 27, 2019

Mileage

6,000 mi

LEAF SPRINGS BROKEN, CUTTING WIRE TO ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES. TWO LEAF SPRING FAILURES, ONE AT 11 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASE, SECOND FAILURE AT 13 MONTHS. BOTH FAILURES WHILE MOVING.

NHTSA ID

11115609

Incident

Apr 5, 2018

Mileage

11,000 mi

I PURCHASED A NEW GRAND DESIGN MOMENTUM 350M AT HOLIDAY WORLD KATY, TEXAS. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER & CHECKING HOOK-UP TO TRUCK, LIGHTS & BRAKES IN THE PARKING LOT, I TOWED THE 350M ABOUT 50 MILES ACROSS HOUSTON. I WAS QUITE CONCERNED WITH THE POOR BRAKING QUALITY OF THE CAMPING TRAILER, EVEN AFTER INCREASING THE TRUCK BRAKE CONTROLLER GAIN TO 9.5 (OF POSSIBLE 10). I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BRAKES NEEDED MORE 'BREAK-IN TIME' SO A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER I SLOWLY TOWED THE CAMPING TRAILER 400 MILES TO MY HOME IN S. TEXAS. I BECAME VERY CONCERNED WITH THE BRAKING QUALITY OF THE 350M AND CONSIDERED IT A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. ONCE HOME, I WOULD NOT TOW THE UNIT ANY FURTHER WITHOUT MAKING SERIOUS IMPROVEMENT TO THE TRAILERS BRAKING CAPABILITY. AFTER JOINING GRAND DESIGN OWNER FORUMS WE REALIZED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAD BRAKING ISSUES. I HAD A CERTIFIED MECHANIC PULL WHEELS & HUBS. LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS, ALL 4 ELECTRIC/MAGNETIC BRAKES (DRUMS, MAGNETS, SHOES & ALL INSIDE THE DRUMS) WERE COATED WITH A HEAVY FILM OF GREASE. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE 350M & LIPPERT'S SELF ADJUSTING, ELECTRIC, MAGNETIC BRAKE SYSTEM WAS EXHIBITING VERY POOR QUALITY, UNSAFE BRAKING CAPABILITY. LIPPERT (LCI) SEMI-ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN JANUARY 2017 BUT WOULD NOT ADMIT ANY FAULT ON THEIR BEHALF. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THEIR BRAKE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS ATTENTION FROM THE NHTSA BEFORE THERE IS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE SHOWING SOME OF THE GREASE CONTAMINATION UPON REMOVING THE WHEEL HUB FROM THE AXLE. THESE BRAKES DEPEND ON THE MAGNETIC FORCE AGAINST THE ROTATING HUB TO 'APPLY BRAKE SHOE PRESSURE TO THE DRUM'. UNDERSTANDABLE WHY THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH A GREASE FILM ON THE MAGNET, ALL INSIDE THE DRUM AREA & ALSO ON BRAKE SHOES. SHAMEFUL WHY A LARGE COMPANY LIKE LIPPERT WILL NOT "OWN UP" TO & CORRECT THE PROBLEM ! CAN THE NHTSA HELP ?

NHTSA ID

11000307

Incident

May 12, 2017

Mileage

75 mi

LEAKING GREASE SEALS ON 5 OF 6 WHEELS; 6TH GREASE SEAL SHOWED SIGNS OF FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10992601

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

2,000 mi

THE WIRING FOR THE ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES ARE NOT IN ANY PROTECTIVE COVER AND ARE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE SUSPENSION, FREE TO MOVE AND CHAFE. WHEN ANY OF THE 12 VOLT POWER WIRES RUBS THROUGH AND THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED IT WILL CREATE A DEAD SHORT, BLOWING THE FUSE IN THE TOW VEHICLE AND LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH A 15,500 POUND TRAILER WITH NO BRAKES TO AID IN STOPPING. THE ATTACHED PICTURES ARE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE.

NHTSA ID

10971735

Incident

Apr 3, 2017

THE CURB SIDE ELECTRIC DRUM BRAKES ON BOTH AXLES OF OUR TANDEM AXLE FIFTH WHEEL RV ARE GREASED AND HAVE FAILED. THE ROOT CAUSE SEEMS TO BE THE FAILURE OF THE DOUBLE LIP INNER GREASE SEAL. IT ALLOWS GREASE INTO THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY WHERE IT IS FLUNG ABOUT SATURATING THE SHOES AND SPLATTERING ON FRICTION SURFACES. THE ATTACHED PICTURES SHOW THE SHOES AND ELECTROMAGNETS ARE COVERED IN GREASE AS IS THE WHEEL HUB, ARMATURE AND MISCELLANEOUS BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE RESULT WAS NEAR TOTAL LOSS OF TRAILER BRAKING ON THAT SIDE OF THE RV PLACING OUR LIVES AND THAT OF OTHERS IN DANGER IN BOTH HIGHWAY AND URBAN DRIVING. BOTH ELECTROMAGNETS ON THE CURB SIDE FELL OUT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE ASSEMBLIES WHEN THE HUBS WERE PULLED SUGGESTING THE RETAINERS HAD EITHER BEEN LEFT OFF OR HAD FALLEN OUT AT SOME POINT. NO RETAINERS WERE RECOVERED. IN GENERAL DRIVING AND BRAKING SCENARIOS IN THE CITY AND ON HIGHWAYS, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT LACK OF ASSISTIVE BRAKING FROM THE RV TRAILER. IN REMOVING THE FACTORY BRAKE HUBS RECENTLY, WE DISCOVERED GREASE ALL OVER TWO OF THE FOUR BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. THIS FAILURE IS COMMON ACROSS THE RV INDUSTRY ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S FORUMS. A POLL ON THE GRAND DESIGN OWNER'S FORUM LISTS 136 OWNERS AT THE TIME OF THIS WRITING THAT HAVE HAVE HAD SOME OR ALL OF THEIR FACTORY BRAKES FAIL DUE TO INNER GREASE SEAL FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.GRANDDESIGNOWNERS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/8531-POLL-HOW-MANY-OF-YOU-HAVE-HAD-YOUR-GREASE-SEALS-FAIL?P=104366#POST104366 SINCE THIS FAILURE IS HIDDEN FROM VIEW, WE CANNOT BE PRECISE AS TO WHEN THE FAILURES OCCURRED. OUR SEALS FAILED SOMETIME BETWEEN DELIVERY FROM THE FACTORY TO THE DEALER IN EARLY MAY 2016 TO MARCH 19TH OF 2017 WHEN WE PUT OUR RV IN STORAGE. WE HAVE DRIVEN IT ABOUT 5000 MILES OVER THAT TIME. THE FAILED BRAKE HUBS WERE PULLED BETWEEN MARCH 25 AND MARCH 26TH.

NHTSA ID

10969127

Incident

Mar 19, 2017

Mileage

5,000 mi

A KNOWN PROBLEM ON MANY GRAND DESIGN UNITS, TOLD BY BOTH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER THAT PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED, AND THAT UPON DELIVERY, THE BRAKES ON MY NEW UNIT, DELIVERED ON 09/23/16, WERE CHECKED OUT, AND GREASE FREE. UPON ARRIVING AT MY HOME, ONE WEEK LATER, BRAKES ARE COVERED WITH GREASE AND MY RV SERVICE REPAIR CENTER SAID THE UNIT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVEN AS IT IS UNSAFE. I AWAIT GRAND DESIGN'S RESPONSE, PHOTOS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, BUT AFTER REVIEWING ALL THE GREASED BRAKE COMPLAINTS ON THE GRAND DESIGN OWNERS FORUM, I DECIDED THIS PROBLEM IS LIFE THREATENING TO ALL OWNERS, NEW AND OLD, OF GRAND DESIGN RV'S, AND ALL SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA ID

10914048

Incident

Oct 4, 2016

Mileage

1,300 mi