RoadVitals

2002 Safari Coach Sahara

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 Jul 7, 2014
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 Feb 14, 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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Safari Coach Sahara, most frequently naming the brakes, heating & air conditioning and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Brakes240.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning120.0%
  • Electrical120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%

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

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

Feb 14, 2005
2,827 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, THE SPACER PLATE UNDER THE TRAILING ARMS HAD A TRANSVERSE WELD WHICH CREATES A HEAT RISER AND CAUSE THE TRAILING ARMS TO CRACK.
The risk: THIS COULD CREATE ROUGH DRIVING CONDITIONS AND DAMAGE TO REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORHOME AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REPLACE THE TRAILING ARMS FOR CRACKS AND REPLACING THE TRAILING ARMS AND U-BOLTS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE MOTORHOMES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORPORATIONManufacturer number R04062View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Oct 22, 2002
8,581 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BEARINGS, RACES, SPINDLES, KNUCKLES, SEALS, HUBS, ROTORS, PATCH BOLTS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FOR CORROSION AND REPLACE OR REBUILD THE CALIPERS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.
MONACO COACH CORP.Manufacturer number R02175View on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Apr 9, 2002
232 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES, THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.
The risk: IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE PEDALS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 9, 2002. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-344-6332 OR WILLIAMS CONTROL AT 1-503-684-8600.
MONACO COACH CORP.Manufacturer number R02198View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+1 more
Filed Jul 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAFARI COACH SAHARA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V278000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY REPAIR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE TWO ABS SENSORS AND FOUR CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 9/11/14*CN UPDATED 1/15/15 *JS

NHTSA ID
10608528
Incident
Jul 10, 2004
Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2012

MY 2002 SAFARI SAHARA HAS ALREADY HAD THE BOSCH FRONT CALIPERS REPLACED IN 2004 OR 2005 BECAUSE OF STICKING AND CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE ROTORS WHICH COULD RESULT IN WHEEL FIRES. WHILE TRYING TO EVACUATE FROM NEW ORLEANS ON 9-3-12, THE FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AGAIN WHICH MEANT THAT I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY MOTORHOME AWAY FROM THE PATH HURRICANE ISAAC. BOTH FRONT ROTORS GOT SO HOT THAT THE ABS SENSORS QUIT WORKING. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED MONACO BECAUSE I WILL MOST LIKELY GET ANOTHER RUN-AROUND LIKE LAST TIME THEY FIXED THE BRAKES. THE 1ST TIME THEY OVERHEATED WAS AFTER ONE OF THEIR AUTHORIZED MECHANICS TOOK BOTH CALIPERS APART AND PUT THEM BACK TOGETHER AGAIN STATING THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THEM. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 5 MILES, BOTH FRONT WHEELS OVERHEATED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS RECALLS HAVE ON VEHICLES, BUT AFTER NOT DRIVING MY MOTOR HOME FOR ABOUT 1 YEAR, I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE BRAKES OVERHEATING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475029
Incident
Sep 3, 2012
Mileage
17,800 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

131

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

DURING THE FACTORY INSPECTION PROCESS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SOME UNITS COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THEIR LP LINES TOO CLOSE TO THE SLIDE-OUT HARDWARE. AS A PRECAUTION, MONACO COACH IS RECOMMENDING THE LOWERING OF THE LP TANKS TO REDUCE THE CHANGE OF THE SLIDE-OUT HARDWARE RUBBING ON THE LP LINE. *TT

124

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

JB RADIATOR INNER COOLER FAILURE ON ALUMINUM RADIATORS. *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

Safari Coach Sahara by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005010
2004330
2003120
2002Viewing230
2001030
2000361
1999051
1998030
1997120

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.