Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full
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Our database holds 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Grand Design Solitude. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Showing 1–18 of 18
The contact owns a 2023 Grand Design 5th Wheel. The contact stated that the propane gas pigtail was on the floor and created an electrical spark and popping noise that traveled up to other cords. The contact stated that the pigtail cord was improperly fitted and should not have been on the floor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unavailable.
This report details a suspected major structural frame failure on my 2023 Grand Design Solitude 391DL. The issues, which are progressive and worsening, indicate a severe loss of structural integrity in the front gooseneck and upper deck area of the fifth wheel. Key observations and symptoms include: Interior Wall Deformation: Interior wall panels in the front bedroom are visibly buckling and warping under stress. Separation of Wall Panels: The rear wall panel inside the main bedroom closet has developed a significant gap and is separating, believed to be a direct result of excessive frame flex. Misalignment of Door Frames: The door frame for the front closet housing the washer and dryer has spread apart to the point where the door can no longer latch or close properly. This demonstrates a clear deformation of the coach's superstructure. Audible Structural Noise: The floor in the front bedroom section produces constant, loud creaking and groaning sounds when walking on it, consistent with a compromised frame and subfloor structure. Safety Concerns: The progressive nature of these failures raises significant safety concerns regarding the vehicle's roadworthiness. The loss of structural integrity in the gooseneck area could lead to a catastrophic failure while the vehicle is in motion, posing a severe risk of detachment, loss of control for the tow vehicle, and danger to other motorists. The integrity of critical components like the roof, slide-outs, and heavy appliances is also compromised. This issue appears to be consistent with a pattern of similar frame-related failures reported by other Grand Design owners, which are the subject of an ongoing class-action lawsuit. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this critical safety defect before it results in a major highway incident.
The contact owns a 2023 Grand Design Solitude RV. The contact stated that while hauling the RV and depressing the brake pedal to stop, the RV pushed up against the rear of the pickup truck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who discovered that the RV brake shoes had crumbled and failed. The contact was advised that the brake shoes and braking system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to the local engineering firm and the braking system was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 9,300.
Frame Flex & Water Intrusion - We first noticed movement back in August 2024. It seemed like the tongue was going to come through our back truck window where I sit to work with our 3 cats. The inside of the Solitude is a mess too with lights coming down from ceiling, doors are all scratch from rubbing while be transported, trim coming off, wall paper being torn apart, had lag bolts coming up through the floor, leakage in master bedroom, floor warping and more. We took it in to have it fixed in November 2024 to only get her back in late march of 2025. They had to weld and reinforce frame but would not admit to frame flex or provide me with an updated weight placard so it's like they don't want evidence on it. They had to replace the whole floor which meant they had to take off slides to get everything out and now she is back up there with severe water intrusions from slides and other things again. Moisture reader is reading in places between 30 to 48% but Grand Design is denying any water intrusion even thought they took slides out. They only respond after an email is sent. This is unacceptable and hope that one day we can get these RV manufacturers to follow same rules as a vehicle. Why are they all in IN - they have the most laxed laws governing recreational vehicles. Our lives are in danger while driving these RV's on US highways which means we are putting others in danger too. Why aren't they held to a higher standard...where is the safety in all of this. I have pictures all everything if needed for documentation. Thank you for your time.
The frame has possibly broken in the hitch area. This is a large 5th wheel trailer.
All brakes were replaced after the first failure. Pulled 3445 miles. RR brake fell apart. Causing loss of braking from that wheel.
RF brake assembly fell apart. Causing loss of braking on that wheel.
After my refrigerator stopped working, I pulled the refrigerator out to investigate and check fuses (a common issue) I observed the wiring connected very poorly, and was melted together. additionally, there was a burn mark 2 inches or more in diameter on the wall where these wires were touching. so there was a fire due to this wiring
My fifthwheel was installed with improper lag bolts, causing frame flex issues. I lost my roof going down the highway last year, pass-through storage compartment doors coming open during transit. Along with that, interior damage became apparent early on after the purchase of the RV, indicating a much greater problem than anticipated. Grand Design sent out an SRT to repair my unit; however, they failed to pull the pylon down off the front of the unit to inspect the frame welds. I may have an impending disaster going down the roadway in the future. All but one lag bolt was being held in under tension. The unit could have become detached from the tow vehicle, and the safety braking mechanism likely wouldn't have engaged. If my roof came completely off, or items would have fallen out of the pass-through compartments, this could have easily caused a major accident leading to fatalities on the highway.
This is a 5th wheel trailer by Grand Design ("GD"). We had significant frame movement due to improper construction and broken welds, resulting in: 1) Screws shearing off at the top of the nose cap, causing the roof to bubble and tear during transit. Roof and screws were replaced under warranty. 2) Entry door was misaligned and required adjustment to close properly (likely due to shifting of frame/body). Strike plate and lock adjusted. 3) Side door to propane tank compartment popped open during transit on the interstate. 4) Rubber strip covering siding/body screws under nose cap flew off during transit on the interstate. Rubber strip replaced. 5) Screws shearing off near hitch, causing siding under nose cap to sag. We were unable to reattach it ourselves with screws as recommended by GD because the frame no longer aligned properly. Front end taken apart and rebuilt, additional metal added by GD under warranty (refused to provide written details or to update weight). 6) Broken weld under front closets in front of nose cap (front bedroom model). GD initially denied welds were broken. Front end taken apart and rebuilt, additional metal added (refused to provide written details or to update weight) by GD under warranty. 7) Frame movement caused rear frame wall to detach and screws to pop out in interior (causing recliners to detach and move during transit). "Dimples" appeared on exterior lower siding ~4" up from rear on both sides. Unclear on specific damage, because GD will not fully explain in writing. GD added one ~4" piece of metal between the siding and rear wall framing on each side (picture attached) and replaced screws, under warranty. 8) Extreme wear on leaf springs, axels, and tires, caused by excessive movement due to broken/poorly engineered frame, requiring replacement. GD replaced parts, partially under warranty. GD stated the unit was not road worthy, but told us to haul it to them. They refused to send pictures of damage or repair other than the one.
Frame Failure. 1/24 purchased new, on first trip(~1200mi) door side front cap vertical 1/2” gap between exterior wall and front cap, saw dust and movement at bedroom storage, bathroom door was catching due to movement, dealer repaired 3/21/24-5/17/24. 2nd trip(~2800mi) front cap shows separation, saw dust, filon warping, dealer reports 1/2” movement of pin box, dropped at dealer 11/25/24 as of 2/5/25 still at dealer. Unknown if 5th wheel will separate from pin box while towing on highway causing an accident. Dealer has confirmed excessive movement of the front of the frame twice, the second time after completing manufacture service bulletin.
-Movement at the kingpin when lowered on tow vehicle along with door side wall and upper cap separations, major concern especially while traveling for us and other traffic -bedroom slide not coming all the way in remaining several inches out from where it’s suppose to this is the most recent issues added to our growing list) this is a major concern for us and other traffic while traveling -both exterior main doors and 2 cargo doors do not shut properly and pop open major concern while traveling (shifting door frames) -grease cap on same wheel has come off 3 times the first before we pulled out of the dealership and the 2nd within a couple hours after leaving the dealership also a big concern being part of the traveling part of this vehicle -water leaks in the upper deck, we don’t know where it’s coming from and found water dripping out from back side of kingpin and other places in the camper
We have excessive Frame Flex. Cargo doors and entry doors open on the road spilling storage contents on road. Axle Equalizer welds breaking. Doors Binding. Vehicle is overweight from factory, over specified weight placard on sticker. This is an on-going problem with Grand Design's larger 5th wheel trailers. They are unsafe on the roads.
We are a fulltime RVer living in this unit for 11 months. We had missing lag bolts that attaches the upper deck to the frame and what bolts were installed were too small. They were 3/8" x 3" in a 1/2" hole that was supposed to be 1/2" x 3.5". We called Grand Design in Indiana and opened a case. They told us to take our unit to the dealership where we bought it and have the frame inspected for flex and the proper lag bolts installed. Grand Design told us if there was any cracks in the steel then it will need further repair in Indiana. When we arrived and during this process; they found other issues. crack in bedroom wall, wrinkled wallpaper, crack in the sill plate and half the screws missing. Did some work on the end cap on the roof. They told us the flex was 1/4" on both sides and that was ok. They called in a welder for the sill plate. Replaced all the lag bolts. After receiving it back none of the doors closed correctly as if the whole unit was now twisted. We decided to trade it in as we don't trust it now. When we took it back for the switch we noticed the end cap had separated and see daylight at the floor. We told the manager because they already put it on the market to sell. This unit is compromised and should not be sold. We saw that our grand design solitude was transferred to another facility that we happen to stop for warranty on our new 5th wheel and saw it. We talked to the manager again and said you can't sell this; it's compromised and they said they already did and were prepping it for the new owners. When we found out that our Grand Design had issues it cost us a lot to get out of it and into another unit so we weren't without a home. This unit is not safe to be on the road. When we hitched up the new 5th wheel of same size we were shocked in the difference. The grand design did not tow smoothly; there is still something wrong with it and afraid someone else owns it now so a dealer can make a buck.
2023 Grand Design Solitude 2930RL, entry door opens when driving, even when fully closed and locked. This happened to me on Friday 9/6/2024. When I towed it again on Wednesday 9/11/2024 I made absolutely sure the entry door was fully closed and locked. I even explained and showed my wife to confirm it was closed and locked based on my experience Friday. When we arrived home 9/11/2024 and checked the door, it was still locked but the door was open. This is a major safety concern as the door could lead to a collision with a vehicle passing by. It can also lead to objects inside the RV falling out, becoming projectiles and obstacles for other motorists to avoid or have hit their vehicle or worst, their windshield. The door is not part of a smart system so there was no warning notification or message. I have not had the dealership try to reproduce this issue yet at this time. This all happened within 5 days.
Our brakes have not worked right since purchasing this unit in June 23, when we took our Solitude for inspection in March 24 the brakes need replaced, they were so bad with less than 3000 miles(1000 from transport, 2000 from us) on it, we did not take this in earlier due to our dealership closing so we were unable to get warranty work done on it. My husband has changed the control number to 5, 6,7,8,9,10 and the trailer never stops moving we did this test 7/19/24 before taking out to grand design. we asked if they could replace the brakes to 8k, was told no. I just found out this issue is a concern and to report it.
we have frame flex issues, the doors to the generator compartment has come open while driving, the safety lights are being pushed out from the body, trim is coming off, our bedroom slide does not close all the way, our living room slide broke and dropped down. Our hitch flex while on the our trucks, and the trim is moving so the movement on the frame is actively happening. We had the unit now for 1 year now but these issues started since we purchased the unit. this is the complete list of issues we can see: 1. Bedroom Slide is not closing tight, major gaps at the bottom compared to the top. 2. Hitch flexes while attached to truck 3.Decals have been pushed and peeling around the trim, due to trim moving. 4. Trim is coming off the out side of trailer on bedroom slide side 5.Under bedroom slide is separating and screws have been coming out (we caught them and put them back in) 6. Light on outside wall (same side as bedroom slide) is popping out from the bottom and peeling the decals our. Looks like something is pushing it out. 7. Generator and propane compartment doors do not shut properly. They have shifted over time since we have had the unit. We had to put an extension on generator compartment door just so we could keep it shut, it had come open while we were traveling. 8. Closet shelfs do stay, they fall out every time we travel. At first it was only the top shelf now the second shelf fell out on our last trip. 9. Slide floor broke and fell. This slide is also missing or broken off screw on the outside. 10. In front wardrobe closet the trim is pulling away from walls, and shelves have gaps against the walls. 11.Missing lag bolt 12. There is popping, grinding and creaking when moving and raising trailer on/ off truck. Grand design is ignoring our concerns about the safelty of this unit and how the frame could have a complete failure at any time.
I have an inclusion (crack?) on the frame web of both main frames just forward of the axle assembly. I have seen this similar inclusion on other RVs that are the same model. There seems to be a major defect with this model. Also I have missing fasteners in the structural wall assembly that also seems to be chronic.
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.
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