2020 Grand Design Solitude

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received twenty-three complaints alleging excessive frame flex on model year 2017-2023 Grand Design fifth wheel recreational trailers, models Momentum and Solitude. Twenty-two of the complaints allege that excessive frame flex resulted in a cargo or entry door opening while in transit, some with objects lost on roadways, while six complaints also state that slideouts extended out partially. ODI has been in contact with both Grand Design and Lippert, the frame manufacturer. Grand Design believes that some frame flex, generally considered to be vertical movement in the upper deck area of the fifth wheel, is normal. However, Grand Design has developed a technical service bulletin (TSB), to evaluate concerns of excessive frame flex, defined as vertical movement greater than 3/8 inch. Per Grand Design, the frame flex is only occurring in the upper deck area of the fifth wheel and is resulting in cosmetic defects such as moving sidewalls, damage to cabinets, binding doors, etc. However, Lippert believes that the effects of frame flex may also extend back to the front axle of the trailer.While Lippert provides frames for multiple trailer manufacturers, the majority of complaints are for these Grand Design products. Cargo and entry doors that open and slideouts that extend while in transit increase the risk of injury or a crash. ODI is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to evaluate the severity of the potential problem and to determine whether an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety exists. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Recreational Solitude RV. The contact stated that there was extensive frame flex in the RV. The contact stated that the slide-outs rolled out while turning. The contact stated that there was an issue with the kingpin that related to the flex frame. The doors were out of alignment and there were screws popping up out of the floor. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The RV was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with cracks in the frame. The RV was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the RV was inspected, and no cracks were found. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11753457

Incident

May 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Grand Design Solitude. The contact stated that while completing routine maintenance on the RV, the contact noticed that there were three cracks on the passenger’s side frame, and there was a crack on the weld. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and denied the claim made by the owner. The frame manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000

NHTSA ID

11701651

Incident

Nov 4, 2025

Mileage

10,000 mi

This is an ongoing problem. I have had multiple frame related issues with this 5th wheel RV. The bedroom closet wall separated causing items to fall into the opening, A crack developed that eventually reached 9 " in length in the sidewall by the bedroom slide. Most of the frame gussets supporting the rear and sides of the RV BENT and or the welds cracked. The floor sloped down at the edges due to improper support, Multiple times the propane doors opened while towing, Screws keep unscrewing from around the front of the RV. small cracks in the frame. The main bracket that holds the slide wall to the RV cracked and needed emergency welding while on the road, if it broke completely off the slide would come out while towing! After numerous attempts at getting Grand Design to fix this unit, I had to spend thousands of dollars to prove it was road worthy to tow it from Arizona to Indiana to their service center. They finally agreed to repair it. After 3 weeks we got it back with everything fixed or so we thought, less then 500 miles later the crack in the sidewall came back. After reaching out to Grand Design again they agreed to repair it again, 3 weeks later it was repair. Now the Wall the they repaired is moving, obviously something broke again. From the looks of it they didn't fix the problem just covered it up. The supports under the floor are bent and I had to put a 2x4 to support the floor, never fixed. We are full time in this RV and it gets towed all over the country. I have tried to reach out to Grand Design again for repairs but have been rebuffed in my attempt. This RV has been nothing but a disaster, having replaced a bent axle, numerous leaf springs and brakes. This RV was sold stating it was for Full Time living, we will attest that is not the case as they are not built well enough to sustain towing on the roadways of the U.S.A and Canada.

NHTSA ID

11653640

Incident

Apr 11, 2022

While we are driving, the front and back door of our rv open while in transit. This happens even when the RV doors are both locked and deadbolted. They both open up and we have had to add a bar to keep the door from opening all the way on the rear, which places us and others in danger while driving. We have pulled over and the door whipped open and hit a road sign, it could as easily hit construction worker. I have reported it to Grand Design, and at that time, it was not repaired. I was at the headquarters at the time. I had already purchased the aftermarket door bar to keep it from flying open, but they both still come unlatched. A dealer has not verified this , and GD does not take it out driving so they would not have verified it either, although they were informed of the issue while I was there for frame reinforcement due to other issues (front landing gear failed due to side to side frame flex) It has not been inspected further to my knowledge. The wall between the main living quarters and the bunkhouse and rear bathroom has movement in transit as well, which is directly by the rear door. There is sawdust still after five years after a move day in the rear bathroom. This leads me to believe there is a lack of structure holding this middle section of the rv together, allowing the shifting while in transit. The doors have opened in transit from the date of purchase, new from a Wyoming Grand Design dealer and has never been properly addressed when brought up. I will say at the time, I was having other major issues fixed, so it was not on the top of my list since I had already bought the door bar to keep it from flying all the way open while driving so I did not push it with GD HQ.

NHTSA ID

11639589

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

I beam frame, frame failure, compartment doors popping open, walls moving, lag screws incorrect. RV is available for inspection. compartment door popping open and tings falling out, walls coming loose and RV breaking apart king pin breaking at front of RV and coming loose from two vehicle. It has been reported to dealer service center The problem has been inspected by the MFG Dealer the problem started cracking of floors, loose lag screws, bent I beam, walls moving.

NHTSA ID

11636181

Incident

Jun 7, 2024

Excessive Upper Deck Frame Flex. Unit is currently at Busted Knuckle Mobile RV Repair Auto, RV & Trailer in Henderson NV and has confirmed the unit is out of spec for Frame Flex. Grand Design has authorized minimal repair. See attached document for issues/symptoms.

NHTSA ID

11632839

Incident

May 9, 2024

The main entry door is coming unlatched while driving down the highway. This condition has only worsened with time. With the latches in the locked condition, after stopping the main latch on the door has unfastened (not unlocked). The only part keeping the door closed is the deadbolt and the entry handrail. If this door was to fully open, the entry steps would then deploy and hit the highway which could result in the steps being torn away from the RV and placed into the path of any vehicle(s) that may be traveling beside/behind me. I believe that this is caused by what is becoming to be known as "Frame Flex" caused by the use of below standard manufacturing and the use of below standard materials. On the inside of the RV, there are signs that the walls have started to shift making items such as trim/cabinetry to fall or start to separate. There are also signs that there is metal to metal rubbing (chaffing) along the bottom of the walls leaving metal dust along the floor. I have tried to explain to the dealership and manufacture to no avail.

NHTSA ID

11628148

Incident

Jul 10, 2023

Latched and locked baggage storage doors pop open while in transit exposing content to falling out. Both passenger and driver sides have exhibited this behavior. It did it on the first trip after purchase, and was addressed by dealer but continued to occur. Was again checked by manufacturer two years later, latches adjusted, continued to occur. I ended up using packing tape on the doors to help secure. Unit was returned to manufacturer (Grand Design) facility in June of 2024 (originally reported to them June 2023) for frame / wall flexing was addressed. These did were adjusted again and the popping open has not occurred again after about 3k miles. I'm convinced the issue was related to this flexure, not the doors or latches themselves. Other issues that may be of concern to you as well. - roof membrane separation at front cap - relative movement between walls and interior furnishings - cracks in frame behind rear axle spring mount (repaired on site by Lippert remote repair technician 9/2023)

NHTSA ID

11626604

Incident

Nov 1, 2020

Grand Design is addressing concerns of excessive frame flex or wall securement in the front upper deck area of a limited number of fifth-wheel units. This condition could potentially occur over time due to a combination of manufacturing variations, an overload condition, or hitch modifications. Wall securement or excessive frame flex does not compromise vehicle safety or structural integrity of the coach as verified by third-party experts. This service campaign covers 2020-2023 Grand Design Solitude and Momentum fifth wheel products that are 18,000lbs GVWR and over.

Lippert Components and Grand Design RV are launching a Customer Satisfaction Campaign to address frame web cracks appearing above the spring hangers on some Solitude 310GK & Reflection 303RLS models. The units affected were produced between June 2013 and May 2021.

Lippert Components and Grand Design RV are launching a Customer Satisfaction Campaign to address frame web cracks appearing above the spring hangers on some Solitude 310GK & Reflection 303RLS models. The units affected were produced between June 2013 and May 2021.

Lippert Components and Grand Design RV are launching a Customer Satisfaction Campaign to address frame web cracks appearing above the spring hangers on some Solitude 310GK & Reflection 303RLS models. The units affected were produced between June 2013 and May 2021.

Broken Interior Step treads. Steps may break at the riser due to the amount of overhang.

The rear upper deck on Solitude ST390RK models produced prior to June 6, 2022 may not be properly supported. As a result, the rear upper deck floor may sag slightly at the sidewalls. Remedy: The remedy includes the use of additional fasteners (961113 - Screw 14x1 Hex Waster Type a Zinc, 960736- #625 Tri-fold LG FLG Alum .39-.354 Grip Rivet) and support bracing. (512064 - 1x2 Stuffed AL Tube, 512065 - 2x3 Stuffed AL Tube)