RoadVitals

2003 National Rv Dolphin

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.
9
Latest Jun 15, 2009
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.
1
Latest Jun 4, 2007
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 National Rv Dolphin, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has 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

  • Brakes541.7%
  • Electrical216.7%
  • Driver assistance18.3%
  • Body & structure18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Transmission18.3%
  • Visibility18.3%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

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
07V230000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jun 4, 2007
21,326 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: NATIONAL RV WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST OWNERS IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR NATIONAL RV AT 1-800-999-7260, EXT. 4335. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA), AN AGENCY OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT NATIONAL RV, INC. AND ITS HOLDING COMPANY, NATIONAL RV HOLDINGS, INC., HAVE FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. NHTSA HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT OWNERS WHO WISH TO PURSUE CLAIMS RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL REPAIR WORK ON THEIR NATIONAL RV VEHICLES MAY FILE A PROOF OF CLAIM WITH THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT FOR THE CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA, RIVERSIDE DIVISION. THE CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED TO THIS MATTER IS 07-17941. THE PROOF OF CLAIM FORM AND INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT THE COURT'S WEBSITE WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BANKRUPTCY AND ITS PROCEEDINGS MAY ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV. NATIONAL RV'S PHONE NUMBER IS (951) 943-6007. INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY RECALLS ON NATIONAL RV'S PRODUCTS MAY BE FOUND AT WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV. THE NHTSA WISHES TO ADVISE OWNERS OF RECALLED PRODUCTS THAT, IN THE INTERESTS OF THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THE MOTORING PUBLIC, ALL SAFETY RECALL WORK SHOULD BE PERFORMED ON MOTOR VEHICLES AND ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT.
NATIONAL RV, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NATIONAL DOLPHIN RV. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE FRONT BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. THE REAR BRAKES WERE ALSO REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKES, BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL REPAIR SINCE THE REPAIRS WERE PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10273909
Incident
Jul 12, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2008

MILEAGE: 23640 BRAKES ON MY RV (WORKHORSE W22 2003 CHASIS) LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND DASH ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AND REAR WHEEL SENSORS. MILEAGE: 23765 DATE:11-7-07 - BRAKES AGAIN LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED ABS CONTROL MODULE, WHEEL SENSORS, FRONT HUB SEALS, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FLUSH BRAKE SYSTEM, ADD NEW FLUID, & BLEED SYSTEM. MILEAGE:31990 DATE:10-15-08 - FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, OVERHEATED, ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACE FRONT ROTORS, CALIPERS, HUB SEALS, PADS, WHEEL SENSORS, FLUSH, REPLACE FLUID, AND BLEED BRAKE SYSTEM. MILEAGE:33052 DATE: 10-30-08 - FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, OVERHEATING, ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. FRONT BRAKES CHECKED & HAD NO DAMAGE. REPLACED WHEEL SENSOR, CLEARED CODE, CHECKED SYSTEM,ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249044
Incident
Aug 14, 2007
Mileage
23,640 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKE WAS NOT RELEASING. BOTH FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKES BECAUSE THE CALIPERS OVERHEATED AND BECAME STUCK. THE BRAKES WERE LESS THAN 20% WORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

NHTSA ID
10200997
Incident
Jul 1, 2005
Mileage
15,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE ON THE 2003 DOLPHIN LX MOTOR HOME STARTED LEAKING GAS ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT HAS THE FUEL TANK AND THE REPAIR INVOICES. THE CONTACT ALSO HAD THE FUEL TANK WITH THE CRACKS IN IT. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07.*JB

NHTSA ID
10180831
Incident
Jan 15, 2007
Mileage
37,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 20, 2004

THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT DUE TO THE ANGLE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, SUN LIGHT REFLECTED ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAUSED A GLARE IN THE EXTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS RESULTED IN POOR OR NO VISIBILITY. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10071963
Incident
Jun 17, 2003
Mileage
2,364 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceVisibility
Filed Jan 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10053377
Incident
Jan 5, 2004
Electrical
Filed Sep 23, 2003

THE PCM/TCM FUSE BLEW WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUSE 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK INCIDENT WAS TRACED TO A CHAFFED WIRE ON A METAL CLAMP WITHIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PH *JB

NHTSA ID
10034248
Incident
Mar 3, 2003
Mileage
587 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 15, 2003
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY CONSUMER. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10022320
Incident
Apr 23, 2003
Mileage
3,070 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

National Rv Dolphin by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007320—
2006320—
2005500—
2003Viewing910—
2002220—
2001320—
2000410—
1999210—
1998410—
1997110—
1996300—
1986010—
1985020—
1984010—
1983010—
1982010—
1981010—
1980010—
1979010—
1978010—

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.