RoadVitals

2005 Sundowner Sunlite Lq

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.
3
Latest Jan 3, 2011
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.
2
Latest Sep 22, 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.
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Sundowner Sunlite Lq, most frequently naming the body & structure, other / unspecified and tires & wheels categories. 2 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

  • Body & structure133.3%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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

2 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
08V483000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Sep 22, 2008
4,535 units potentially affected
The defect: SUNDOWNER IS RECALLING 4,535 SUNLITE LIVING QUARTER TRAILERS (MODELS 575 GN, 700 GN, 705 GN, 720 GN, 725 GN, 727 GN, 737, 740, 760, 777 GN, CARGO GN, STOCK GN, PROSTOCK GN, AND STAMPEDESL GN). THESE TRAILERS MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH A FUSE IN LINE WITH THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE TOW VEHICLE.
The risk: IF AN IMPROPERLY WIRED TOW VEHICLE IS CONNECTED TO THE TRAILER WIRING HARNESS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE RESULTING IN PROPER DAMAGE, INJURY TO A CONSUMER AND/OR LIVESTOCK.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE TRAILERS AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE SUSPECTED TRAILERS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IN LINE FUSE IN THE WIRE HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUNDOWNER AT 1-800-654-3879.
SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
08V382000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Aug 5, 2008
2,185 units potentially affected
The defect: SUNDOWNER IS RECALLING 2,185 MY 2003-2006 SUNLITE LQ HORSE TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR 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: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: SUNDOWNER IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). 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 THE OWNER 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 SUNDOWNER AT 1-580-937-4256.
SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Jan 3, 2011

AFTER PULLING THE 53 FOOT SUNDOWNER HORSE TRAILER FOR APPROXIMATELY 12,00 MILES I NOTED BROKEN WELDS AND BROKEN AND MISSING RIVETS IN THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE HITCH. THE UNIT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND LEFT FOR 6 1/2 MONTHS FOR FACTORY REPAIR. I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL STATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY FOR NO MORE REPAIR AND WAS ENCOURAGED TO REMOVE THE TRAILER FROM THE DEALER'S PREMISES. IN APRIL 2010 I RETAINED A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER TO COMPLETE A STRESS ANALYSIS. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT THE UNIT, UPON REPAIR WOULD DEVELOP CONTINUED PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA. HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT IT BE RETURNED TO THE FACTORY TO FACILITATE THE RE-ENGINEERING. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE PROTRACTED LEGAL BATTLE AND COULD FIND NO ENGINEER WHO WOULD TESTIFY IN COURT ON MY BEHALF. MY DECISION WAS TO LET THE BANK FORECLOSED AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE UNIT.IT IS NOW AT AN AUCTION FACILITY IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE AUCTION WILL FINALIZED ON JANUARY 6, 2011. THE URGENCY IS THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED THE FRONT 10 FEET OF THE TRAILER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE UNIT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE VIN NO:[XXX]. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10374016
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
12,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 12, 2009

THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON DOMETIC FULL SIZE FRIDGES; LOCATED IN TRAILERS, BUT WHEN I HAVE CALLED ALL THE DEALERS IN OUR AREA I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME RESPONSE THAT THE DOMETIC COMPANY IS NOT PAYING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICING THE RECALLS SO THEY HAVE ALL STOPPED WITH THE REPAIRS. SO IN THE MEAN TIME I AM HAULING A HORSE TRAILER WITH LIVING QUARTERS WITH AN EXPLOSIVE FRIDGE IN IT; ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM CORRECTED WITHOUT ME HAVING TO SPEND ALL THIS TIME FINDING SOMEONE OF DRIVING HOURS OUT OF MY ALREADY BUSY LIFE TO SAVE A LIFE OF A PERSON OR HORSE??????? *TR

NHTSA ID
10273619
Incident
Jun 12, 2008
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUNDOWNER SUNLITE LQ. TRAIL AMERICA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THREE TIRES FAILED ON THE TRAILER WITHIN THREE MONTHS (AUGUST-OCTOBER). THE BLOWOUTS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. CHUNKS OF THE TIRES AND TREAD BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER ROAD HAZARD. THE FENDER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HORSE TRAILER WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09.*JB

NHTSA ID
10250243
Incident
Oct 1, 2008
Mileage
8,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Sundowner Sunlite Lq by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008110—
2007020—
2006120—
2005Viewing320—
2004220—
2003030—
2002120—
2001120—
2000410—
1999010—
1998010—
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.