RoadVitals

2005 Holiday Rambler Scepter

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 Mar 3, 2017
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.
4
Latest May 13, 2005
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 2005 Holiday Rambler Scepter, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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 & structure133.3%
  • Engine133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
05V223000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

May 13, 2005
1,606 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SYSTEMS' AQUA-HOT AND HYDRO-HOT WATER HEATERS, WHICH USE WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, THE BURNER TUBES DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.
The risk: THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF THE EXHAUST TUBE EXITING FROM THE HEATER CAN INCREASE AND COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS (BURNER TUBES) WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
04V598000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

Dec 23, 2004
86 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE WATER HEATER EXHAUST ON THE CURVE SIDE WALL UNDER THE BACK SIDE OF THE KITCHEN SLIDEOUT ROOM BOX TERMINATES UNDER THE SLIDE BOX WHEN IN THE EXTENDED POSITION. THIS DESIGN COULD CREATE A RISK OF MIGRATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE MOTOR HOME.
The risk: EXPOSURE OF THE OCCUPANTS TO CARBON MONOXIDE COULD RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER HEATER WITH A 16 GALLON ATWOOD UNIT THAT HAS A DIFFERENT EXHAUST TERMINATION. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 25, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONManufacturer number R04047View on NHTSA.gov
04V476000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

Oct 1, 2004
44 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED WITH OPTIONAL AQUA HOT HYDRONIC HEATERS, THE EXHAUST TERMINATION FOR THE HEATER WAS LOCATED UNDER THE BEDROOM SLIDE OUT, WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED BEYOND THE PERIPHERY OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk: THIS MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR FUMES TO ENTER THE COACH AND POSSIBLY ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE FUMES TO VENT INTO THE MOTOR HOME, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PASSENGERS.
The remedy: FOR THE 2003 MOTOR HOMES, DEALERS WILL USE THE EXISTING PIPE FROM THE AQUA HOT HYDRONIC HEATER, AND REPAIR IT SO THAT THE END TERMINATION WILL BE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME. FOR THE 2004 AND 2005 MOTOR HOMES, DEALERS WILL ADD AN EXHAUST PIPE TO THE EXISTING EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM THE AQUA HOT HYDRONIC HEATER. THE ADDITIONAL PIPE WILL BE INSTALLED SO THAT THE END TERMINATION WILL ALSO BE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONManufacturer number R04049View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2017

REGARDING CAMPAIGN C0713-MY MOTORHOME HAD A CATASTROPHIC BLOWUP JUST AS I WAS ACCELERATING FROM 45 TO 55 MPH JUST LEAVING SECORRO NEW MEXICO. IT WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION THAT SHUDDERED THROUGH THE MOTORHOME. THERE WAS NEVER ANY ALARMS NOTIFYING ME OF AN IMPENDING PROBLEM. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE COACH OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHIN 14 SECONDS ACCORDING TO THE ECM. THE COACH FILLED WITH SMOKE AND A HORRIBLE EXHAUST. TO BE UPFRONT THIS ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER IS 46405076 AND IT IS OUTSIDE OF THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE BY 6 MONTHS CALLED OUT IN THE RECALL. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE JOHN WOLFE FROM CUMMINS AND HE STATED THAT THIS INCIDENT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS WRIST PIN FAILURE THAT IS SPELLED OUT IN THE RECALL. I TOLD HIM THAT THE S/N WAS OUT OF THE RANGE AND HE TOLD ME THAT WHEN THEY ASSIGN A SERIAL NUMBER RANGE IT IS SOMEWHAT OF A GUESS, WE DON'T KNOW THE EXACT RANGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A CUMMINS DEALER (ROCKY MOUNTAIN CUMMINS) PER MR. WOLFE TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS SIMILAR AND PROBABLY A WRIST PIN FAILURE BUT IT IS ONE OFF AND NOW I HAVE A LETTER FROM THEIR ATTORNEY STATING THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT IT DOES NOT APPLY TO C0713. I DISAGREE COMPLETELY.THIS WAS A VERY HORRIBLE EVENT ANDI AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHEN I WAS RUNNING THROUGH ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO AN HOUR OR SO PRIOR. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE SERIOUS EVENT ENDANGERING INNOCENT LIVES. I LEFT A TRAIL OF OIL QUITE A WAYS DOWN THE ROAD WHERE I WAS PLUS OIL POURING OUT OF THE PAN, BUT WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED ON THESE ENGINES, SOMEONE COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS. I WANT TO REPAIR OUR MOTORHOME BUT AM AFRAID TO AS THEY ARE GOING TO THROW THE MOTOR AWAY AND IT WON'T BE VERIFIED. THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. I DON'T TRUST THEM.

NHTSA ID
10958513
Incident
Dec 14, 2016
Mileage
23,052 mi
Suspension
Filed Feb 1, 2010

HELLO, I HAVE A 2005 HOLIDAY RAMBLER NEPTUNE MOTORHOME. IT WAS ORIGINALLY RECALLED FOR A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRAILING ARMS. MONACO PUT ON NEW TRAILING ARMS IN JULY 2005. SINCE THEN THE UNDER ENGINEERED TRAILING ARMS HAVE BEEN CRACKING AND CAUSING SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUES. MONACO WAS BOUGHT AT AUCTION AND IS NO LONGER LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS (WHICH SEEMS CRIMINAL). THERE ARE SOME 9,000 UNITS WITH THIS SAFETY ISSUE ON THE AMERICAN HIGHWAYS. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT PRESSURE BE PUT TO THE NEW OWNERS OF MONACO. NAVISTAR, TO ADDRESS THIS SAFETY CONCERN. OWNERS WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM ARE FACED WITH THE BURDEN OF MAKING THIS REPAIR THEMSELVES TO THE TUNE OF AROUND $3200. I AM GETTING MINE REPLACED BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS THE ETHICAL THING TO DO. IN MY OPINION, THERE IS AN ETHICAL AND MORAL OBLIGATION ON THE PART OF NAVISTAR, THE NEW OWNERS OF MONACO, TO MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT TO CONTACT ALL THE OWNERS OF THESE MOTORHOMES AND ALERT THEM TO THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE NHTSA CAN DO? *TR

NHTSA ID
10303575
Incident
Jan 28, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Dec 29, 2005

2005 SCEPTER, WINDSHIELDS ARE INTENDED TO KEEP OCCUPANTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD ALSO SUPPORTS THE ROOF THEREBY PRESERVING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND KEEPING IT FROM COLLAPSING AND CRUSHING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. SEEN FROM THIS PERSPECTIVE OF PERSONAL SAFETY, ANY DAMAGED WINDSHIELD THEY REPLACE SHOULD BE REPLACED PROPERLY AND SAFELY. NOW THE STRUCTURE HAS BEEN MODIFIED TWICE ALREADY AND THE GLASS REPLACED FIVE TIMES .NOW IN NEED OF ANOTHER WINDSHIELD AND MORE STRUCTURAL MODIFICATIONS! WE AS CONSUMERS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE SAFE SEEING THAT THIS CAN NOT BE RECTIFIED WE ARE NOT GOING TO COMPROMISE OUR SAFETY ANY LONGER.. AND SHOULD WE? I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MONACO CORP. SEEING THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 100 OR MORE RVS WITH ONE-PIECE WINDSHIELDS CONCERNS ME ..OUR RESEARCH ON WINDSHIELDS SHOULD BE A CONCERN. NOT JUST A LITTLE SANDING OR CHIPPING AWAY OF THE FRAME AND SLAPPING ANOTHER WINDSHIELD IN . I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH MANIPULATING THE STRUCTURE . THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ENTIRE SRS IS BEING COMPROMISED. THIS IS NOT FIX FOR ME .THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY ON GOING PROBLEMS THIS COACH HAS . *JB

NHTSA ID
10146360
Incident
Aug 2, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

153

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

KEYLESS ENTRY KEYPAD WILL LOSE POWER AFTER THE FIRST ONE OR TWO KEYSTROKES NOT ALLOWING THE DOORS TO UNLOCK WHEN THE DRIVER'S LAMP LIGHT IS ON, RESULTING IN A POTENTIAL LOCK-OUT SITUATION. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Holiday Rambler Scepter by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017020—
2016000—
2011020—
2010040—
2009010—
2008010—
2007141—
2006041—
2005Viewing340—
2004140—
2003010—
2002010—
2001220—
2000010—

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.