RoadVitals

2003 Gulf Stream Independence

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.
3
Latest Dec 13, 2006
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.
7
Latest Mar 20, 2012
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Gulf Stream Independence, most frequently naming the body & structure, other / unspecified and powertrain (other) categories. 7 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

  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Powertrain (other)125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
12V105000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Mar 20, 2012
1,502 units potentially affected
The defect: GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 CLASS “A” AND “C” RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BUILT ON FLOORPLANS 6316, 6317, 6330, 8325 AND 8328, DUE TO A SECTION OF UNSECURED WIRING. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS AFFECTED. THE WIRING WITHIN THE RACEWAY MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED LEADING TO WEAR AND POTENTIAL HEAT DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN THE EXPOSED WIRING AND HEATED REFRIGERATOR COILS.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE 110 VOLT ELECTRICAL WIRING ROUTED TO THE MICROWAVE CABINET, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: GULF STREAM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STREAM AT 1-800-482-6456.
GULF STREAM COACH, INC.Manufacturer number 12WG-0105View on NHTSA.gov
10V584000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 22, 2010
1,328 units potentially affected
The defect: GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
The risk: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.
The remedy: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.
GULF STREAM COACH, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09V382000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 1, 2009
242 units potentially affected
The defect: GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE ALSO SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT NOTICE 09E-027. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STREAM AT 1-800-289-8787 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
GULF STREAM COACH, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 13, 2006

NO WARNING, COMPLETE DRIVESHAFT FAILURE CAUSING $6000 DAMAGE. DRIVE SHAFT CHANGED FROM CHEVROLET 2 PIECE TO 3 PIECE. MANUFACTURE OF MOTORHOME AND COMPANY DOING THE DRIVE SHAFT CHANGES REFUSED TO HELP. ALSO FRAME CUT AND WELDED TO MAKE LONGER, BAD WELD JOB COMING APART. *NM

NHTSA ID
10176005
Incident
Dec 3, 2006
Mileage
42,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 16, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE RUBBER ON THE ROOF TORE APART AND WAS HANGING ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES FAULTY INSTALLATION WAS THE CAUSE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10089131
Incident
Jul 10, 2004
Suspension
Filed Sep 22, 2003

VEHICLE WANDERS TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10040318

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Gulf Stream Independence by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2011010—
2010020—
2009030—
2008040—
2007140—
2006150—
2005050—
2004040—
2003Viewing370—
2002040—
2001040—
2000030—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—

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.