RoadVitals

2002 Holiday Rambler Vacationer

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.
13
Latest Apr 25, 2019
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.
6
Latest Jun 5, 2008
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.
1
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 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and body & structure categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Brakes861.5%
  • Other / unspecified215.4%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Fuel system17.7%
  • Exterior lighting17.7%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
08V257000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jun 5, 2008
8,587 units potentially affected
The defect: MONACO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.
The risk: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.
The remedy: MONACO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 29, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONManufacturer number R08017View on NHTSA.gov
07V010000

TRAILER HITCHES

Jan 16, 2007
2,086 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR H0MES BUILT WITH GASOLINE ENGINES, THE FRAME EXTENSION LOWER FLANGE MAY CRACK ALLOWING THE HITCH TO BEND AND POSSIBLY SEPARATE FROM THE MOTOR HOME.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE TOWED VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD AN ADDITION OF TWO PIECES OF ANGLE STEEL TO THE FRAME EXTENSION AND HITCH MOUNTING POINT IN ORDER TO REINFORCE THE FRAME EXTENSION FLANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 877-466-6226. NOTE: THE ENDING MANUFACTURING DATE FOR INDIANA BUILT MOTOR HOMES IS MARCH 8, 2002 WHILE THE OREGON BUILT MOTOR HOMES WERE BUILT THROUGH NOVEMBER 2002. THE FEDERAL ID LABEL LOCATED ON THE WALL NEXT TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT SPECIFIES IN WHICH STATE THE MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONManufacturer number R02206View on NHTSA.gov
03V068000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP

Mar 5, 2003
5,361 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.
The risk: IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO COACH AT 1-877-477-6226.
MONACO COACH CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE06047ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TOW HITCH/FRAME FAILURE

Opened Oct 24, 2006
Closed Jan 22, 2007

ODI OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING A CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY AND DETERMINING THE EXISTENCE OF TWO FAILURES.ADDITIONAL REPORTS WERENOTED ON THE INTERNET.THE REPORTS CLAIM THAT THE FRAME EXTENSION LOWER FLANGE IS CRACKING AND ALLOWING THE HITCH TO BEND DOWN TOWARDS THE GROUND.MONACO HAD PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED A SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THIS MATTER.ODI SENT AN INFORMATION REQUEST TO MONACO AND HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH MONACO OFFICIALS.AS A RESULT,MONACO COACH INC SUBMITTED A 573 AND IS RECALLING THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. MONACO WILL REINFORCE THE FRAME EXTENSION FLANGE WITH TWO PIECES OF ANGLE IRON. THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI BELIEVES THAT MONACO'S ACTIONADDRESSES THE PROBLEM.ODI HAS EXCUSED MONACO FROM ANSWERING THE INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER. ODI IS UNAWARE OF THE NUMBER OF FAILURES, IF ANY REPORTED TO MONACO, SINCE THE INFORMATION REQUEST WAS UNANSWERED.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERSLed to recall 07V010000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Brakes
Filed Apr 25, 2019

BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED TO RETRACT CAUSING THE PADS TO DRAG ON THE ROTORS CAUSING EXTREME HEAT. THE ROTORS GOT SO HOT THE ANTI LOCK SENSOR MELTED CAUSING ANTI LOCK SYSTEM FAILURE INDICATOR LIGHT TO COME ON. THE ROTORS ARE NOTICEABLY OVERHEATED AND VERY SPLOTCHY THEY SHOULD BE POLISHED NOT SPLOTCHY.

NHTSA ID
11203747
Incident
Jan 1, 2017
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 10, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE CAUSING HIS ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS TO WEAR EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER;HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V278000 ( SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC FOUNDATION COMPONENTS). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

NHTSA ID
10381473
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
36,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 7, 2010

2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER M/H WITH A VORTEC 8.1 LITER GM ENGINE THIS VEHICLE GVRW IS 22,000 LBS. THIS VEHICLE WILL STALL AT FREEWAY SPEEDS OF 55-70 MPH AND ACT AS IF IT IS GETTING NO FUEL, WHEN THAT HAPPENS THERE IS NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. MANY REPORTS ON THE INTERNET CONCERNING THE SAME PROBLEM STATE THE PROBLEM IS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSER THAT TELLS THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM WHEN TO SEND FUEL TO THE CILINDERS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ONE DAY WHILE EXITING AN INTERSTATE OFF RAMP IN A WINDING CURVE. IMAGINE TRYING TO ROUND A CURVE AT 20 MPH IN A 22,000 LB VEHICLE WITH NOT POWER STEARING OR POWER BRAKES, AND A BIG DROP OFF, IS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CURVE. IT TOOK ALL THE STRENGH I HAVE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE TRACKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I' AM A 5'10 210 POUND MAN. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. FROM THE NUMBER OF LIKE REPORTS ON THE INTERNET IT IS CLEAR THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THIS ENGINE IN THE PICK-UPS, IF THIS RESULTS IN AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I CAN CORRECT IT, I WILL BE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO SUE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10354194
Incident
Aug 26, 2010
Mileage
36,400 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 MONACO HOLIDAY VACATIONER RV, EQUIPPED WITH A WORKHORSE W22. THE CONTACT STATED HE RECEIVED THREE DIFFERENT UNKNOWN RECALL NOTICES INDICATING A DIFFERENT TIME FRAME FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER REMEDY FROM WORKHORSE. EACH TIME THE NOTICES WERE RECEIVED, THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO MAKE REPAIRS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. HE WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE PARTS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THE COMING MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ID
10347765
Incident
Aug 31, 2008
Mileage
36,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 10, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONER RV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 03V068000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: SWITCHES: BRAKE WARNING). PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL LETTER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A REMEDY FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE VIN, CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10329713
Incident
Jun 11, 2008
Brakes
Filed Mar 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONER RV. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE ROTORS WERE CRACKED AND THE CALIPERS WERE STICKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TWICE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PREVIOUS REPAIRS MADE BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FROM THE MANUFACTURER. HE CONTINUED TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, WAS ADVISED THAT THE DATABASE INDICATED THAT THE RECALLS WERE CLOSED ON HIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V278000: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: FOUNDATION COMPONENTS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10321710
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 23, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONER ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 55 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS, BUT WILL NO LONGER BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS LISTED FOR THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 842 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,796.

NHTSA ID
10256116
Incident
Aug 2, 2002
Mileage
842 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2008

I OWN A 02 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONEER MOTORHOME WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR BRAKE REPLACEMENT ISSUES AND BROUGHT THE RV IN FOR THE RECALL TO A DEALER IN LOUISIANA. THEY KEPT THE RV APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS, SAID IT WAS FIXED AND I WENT AND PICKED IT UP. ON THE WAY HOME THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON I CALLED THEM AND SINCE I WAS ABOUT 80 MILES FORM THE PLACE PROCEEDED HOME WHICH WAS ABOUT 30 MORE MILES, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A MACHINE TO TURN THE LIGHT OFF. I THEN TRIED TO FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD TO THIS TO NO AVAIL AND IT IS STILL ON SOMEONE TOLD ME I HAD TO BUY A NEW WIRE FOR THE WHEEL. WE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE SEVERAL TRIPS AND EVERYTIME WE TRY THE FRONT CALIPERS GET SO HOT THEY LOCK UP AND WE HAVE TO STOP AND STAY SOMEPLACE FOR OVERNIGHT AND THEN THEY ARE OK FOR A WHILE. WE WENT TO BRANSON, MISSOURI AND ALMOST HAD A FIRE ON BOARD DUE TO BRAKE HEATUP. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS AND CANNOT FIND ANYONE WHO WILL WORK ON MY RV AND FIX THE PROBLEM. I WROTE A LETTER TO MONOCO HOLIDAY RAMBLER AND GOT LITTLE RESPONSE. I LEFT LAST WEEK TO FLEE THE COMING HURRICANE GUSTAV AND DIDN'T GET OUT OF TOWN WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND WE HAD TO COME BACK HOME AND RIDE OUT THE STORM IN OUR HOUSE. I AM SO FRUSTRATED ABOUT THIS, I HAVE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WOULD LIKE TO FIND A SHOP TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT. I FEEL IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE THE MOTORHOME WILL CATCH FIRE EVENTUALLY. I LEAVE THE MOTORHOME ON THE JACKSTANDS AND ROTATE THE WHEELS EVERY WEEK WHICH I FEEL WOULD HELP BUT IT DOESN'T. THE DEALER I BROUGHT IT TO FOR THE RECALL HAS WENT OUT OF BUSINESS SINCE THE REPAIR AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE RV FROM HAS A PLACE TO WORK ON THEIRS BUT ITS 250 MILES AWAY AND I JUST DON'T TRUST THE RV TO MAKE THE TRIP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10241015
Incident
Aug 31, 2008
Mileage
500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

138

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

GENERATOR EXHAUST PIPE REPLACEMENT. SERVICE PROCEDURES AND PARTS PURCHASE ORDER FORM. *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 Vacationer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025110—
2024020—
2023060—
2022050—
2021260—
2020050—
2019020—
2018140—
2017160—
2016130—
2015410—
2014010—
2013010—
2012010—
2011210—
2007110—
2006120—
2005120—
2004830—
2003551—
2002Viewing136147.6
2001051—
2000140—
1999620—
1998120—
1997500—
1994100—

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.