RoadVitals

1997 Sportsmen 3003P

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 Apr 22, 2003
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.
0
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 1997 Sportsmen 3003P, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, other / unspecified and suspension categories. 6 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

  • Tires & wheels250.0%
  • Other / unspecified125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%

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

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 22, 2003

I HAVE 5 ELECTRA IRONMAN TRAILER TIRES MADE BY HERCULES TIRES ON MY 35FT RV. I HAVE SUFFERED 3 CATASTROPHIC BLOWOUTS - ONE ON EACH OF THE LONG TRIPS I HAVE TAKEN. EACH FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN THE SAME MANNER - THE SOUND OF A CANNON FOLLOWED BY INSTANT FLAT. THE RESULT BEING A 8 INCH HOLE BLOWN CLEAN THROUGH THE STEEL BELTS AND TREAD OF THE TIRE. I CALLED HERCULES TIRES TODAY, AND THEY REFERRED ME TO THEIR CANADIAN DIVISION, THE FORMER MAKE OF THEIR TIRES. THEY REFUSED TO COVER ANY PORTION OF THE THREE FAILURES I'VE HAD TO DATE, AND THE TWO REMAINING TIRES, ONE OF WHICH LOOKS LIKE THE TREAD IS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. I ALSO,STILL HAVE THE CARCASS FROM THE THIRD BLOWOUT FOR INSPECTION. THEY COMMENT WAS - THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED, WITH NO CONCERN FOR SAFETY, THE POTENTIAL OF A DEFECT IN THE TIRES OR ANYTHING ELSE. AS I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE STILL UTILIZING THESE TIRES, I CRINGE AT THE THOUGHT OF A LOADED RV, PULLED BY AN UNDERRATED VEHICLE, HAVING THESE TYPES OF UNCONTROLLED BLOWOUTS. I HAVE HAD THREE SUCH OCCURRENCES - MAY OF 2001, MARCH OF 2002, AND DECEMBER OF 2002. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10016349
Incident
Dec 14, 2002
Other / unspecifiedSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Oct 2, 2001

FRONT RIGHT CORNER WHERE MANUFACTURER'S ID STICKER STICKER LOCATED SHOWED GROSS WEIGHT 7000LBS ON CAMPER. WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH HEARD A NOISE AND STOPPED TO SEE, SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED WRONG TIRES ON TRAILER FOR THAT WEIGHT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT STICKER,AND MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NEW STICKER WAS WRONG FOR GROSS WEIGHT. ALSO, STATED THAT TITLE INDICATED GROSS WEIGHT WAS 10000 LBS.*AK

NHTSA ID
897193
Incident
Jul 24, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

1STMON037102820

EQUIPMENT

This newsletter provides detailed instructions regarding winterization of Airstream travel trailers and motorhomes.

1STMON035042820

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:SEWAGE/BLACK:STORAGE TANK

This newsletter talks about the importance of cleaning and maintaining waste water tanks, and provides detailed instruction of how to do so. It provides suggestions as to which products to use to clean the tanks.

1STMON034042820

EQUIPMENT

The newsletter discusses the importants of cleaning and mainataining safety devices installed in Airstream products, i.e. checking batteries in smoke alarms, checking dates on fire extinguishers etc. The newsletter also provides a how-to on disinfecting an RV.

1STMON03332820

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This installment talks about preparing their RV for the upcoming camping season. It provide tips on inspecting sealant, as well as which type of wax we recommend, and how often the owner should wax their units.

1STMON0322282020

VISIBILITY

This newsletter discusses how to prepare your RV for the upcoming camping season. Points discussed are airing out the unit. Examining and lubricating window, door, and vent seals. Examining, removing and resealing any areas with gaps, or cracks in the old sealant. Other items recommended to inspect and maintain as needed are: Brakes, awnings, tires, batteries, LP systems, break away cable, and 7-way cord connections. Inspect and lubricate tongue, and stabilizer jacks etc...

1STMON0319282019

EQUIPMENT

The communication explains the steps necessary to properly winterize and store your RV in colder climates.

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.