RoadVitals

2005 National Rv Tropi-Cal

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.
2
Latest Feb 21, 2008
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.
3
Latest Jan 5, 2006
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 National Rv Tropi-Cal, most frequently naming the brakes category. 3 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

  • Brakes2100.0%

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

3 campaigns 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
06V002000

SEAT BELTS

Jan 5, 2006
588 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH THE PROPER NUMBER OF SEAT BELTS.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT WILL NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE ADDITIONAL SEAT BELTS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NATIONAL RV AT 1-951-943-6007. 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV>HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV</A> . ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BANKRUPTCY AND ITS PROCEEDINGS MAY ALSO BE FOUND AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV>HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV</A> . 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
05V196000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

May 3, 2005
336 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE FUSE THAT ISOLATES THE BATTERIES WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE CORRECT LOCATION, LEAVING THE CABLE UNPROTECTED BETWEEN THE FUSE AND BATTERIES.
The risk: THE FUSE ISOLATOR LOCATION PRESENTS A RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE FUSE ISOLATOR WITHIN 18" OF THE BATTERIES, PROTECTING THE CABLE BETWEEN THE FUSE AND BATTERIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 8, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NATIONAL RV AT 800-999-7260. 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV>HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV</A> . ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BANKRUPTCY AND ITS PROCEEDINGS MAY ALSO BE FOUND AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV>HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV</A> . 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
04V371000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 27, 2004
776 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, DEPENDING ON THE FLOOR PLAN CONFIGURATION AND OPTIONS, THE ACTUAL WEIGHT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES COULD EXCEED THE TIRE CAPACITY FOR THOSE TIRES AT THE CURRENT COLD INFLATION PRESSURE SETTING.
The risk: THE TIRE PRESSURE SPECIFIED ON THE CERTIFICATION LABEL FOR THE REAR TIRES SHOULD BE INCREASED TO 110 PSI. THIS WILL INCREASE THE GROSS LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE TIRES.
The remedy: NATIONAL RV WILL REPLACE THE FEDERAL CERTIFICATION TAG WITH A NEW TAG SPECIFYING A COLD INFLATION PRESSURE OF 110 PSI FOR THE REAR TIRES. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NATIONAL RV AT 1-800-999-7260. 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV>HTTP://WWW.CACB.USCOURTS.GOV</A> . ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE BANKRUPTCY AND ITS PROCEEDINGS MAY ALSO BE FOUND AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV>HTTP://WWW.OMNIMGT.COM/NATIONALRV</A> . 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

Brakes
Filed Feb 21, 2008

A FEW DAYS AGO AN AIR LEAK NOISE WAS CALLED TO MY ATTENTION AND ON EXITING THE COACH IT WAS PRETTY OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING WAS AMISS. I PERFORMED THE PRESCRIBED AIR LEAK TEST AND FOUND THAT WE DID INDEED HAVE A MASSIVE AIR LEAK. MAKING OUR WAY (VERY CAREFULLY!) TO THE FONTANA, CA FTL FACILITY, THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND THAT THE AIR HOSES TO THE TWO REAR AIR BRAKE CHAMBERS HAD BEEN RUBBING TOGETHER AND PRODUCED A HOLE IN ONE HOSE AND VERY NEARLY IN THE OTHER. THIS WAS WITH ONLY 14,000 MILES AND 26 MONTHS ON THE COACH! *TR

NHTSA ID
10218703
Incident
Feb 15, 2008
Mileage
14,130 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES THAT DUTCHMEN THOR PRODUCES A CAMPER, TAB, AND THEY HAVE AN ALCO BRAKE SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE MODIFIED. THEY STATE IT HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED. ACCORDING TO ALCO IN UNITED KINGDOM, THE COMPANY IS SETTING UP THE SYSTEM WRONG ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE TRIES TO GET INFORMATION FROM DUTCHMEN THOR THEY SEND HIM THE MANUAL FOR THE GERMAN BRAKE SYSTEM. ON THE TOE SHAFT, THE DAMPENING UNIT, IT IS SUPPOSE TO SLIDE BACK AND HIT AN OVERRUN LEVER THAT IS HOW IT IS BEING SET UP IN THE US. ON THE MANUAL, THERE IS NO CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TOE SHAFT AND THE OVERRUN LEVER. ON THE UNITS THEY ARE PRODUCING THERE IS 1 5/8 INCH CLEARANCE. THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER CORRESPONDING WITH THE CONSUMER AND THEY ARE NOT OFFERING ANY INFORMATION TO THE DEALERS. THERE IS NO INFORMATION ON HOW MUCH THE CLEARANCE SHOULD BE. THE COMPANY CONTINUES TO REFER HIM TO THE WEBSITE WITH THE GERMAN MANUAL IN IT. CONSUMER NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN HE TRIED TO STOP AND THE TRAILER SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF HIS VEHICLE. THE CAMPER TYPE WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN THE DATABASE, IT IS A 2005 DUTCHMEN THOR TAB.NM

NHTSA ID
10128343
Incident
May 2, 2005

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

National Rv Tropi-Cal by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008100—
2005Viewing230—
2004210—
2003010—
2002010—
2001020—
2000120—
1999310—
1998210—
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.