RoadVitals

2005 Sundowner Sunlite

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.
1
Latest Oct 4, 2007
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 27, 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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2005 Sundowner Sunlite, most frequently naming the tires & wheels category. 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

  • Tires & wheels1100.0%

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

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
05V301000

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

Jun 27, 2005
7 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN HORSE/STOCK TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER PREDATOR ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS AND WERE NOT FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A STORAGE BATTERY, THE BREAK-AWAY SYSTEM BATTERY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AMP HOURS TO MAINTAIN BRAKING FOR THE REQUIRED 15 MINUTES IN CASE OF TRAILER BREAK-AWAY WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM.
The risk: IF THE TRAILER WERE TO COME LOOSE FROM THE TOW VEHICLE, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CURRENT BREAK-AWAY BATTERY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN BREAKING ACTION FOR THE REQUIRED 15 MINUTES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH OR INJURY/DAMAGE TO THE OPERATOR AND/OR THE HORSES/STOCK.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BATTERY AND BATTERY BOX AND REWIRE THE TRAILER THROUGH THE STORAGE BATTERY. THEY WILL ALSO APPLY A NOTICE LABEL ON OR BY THE BATTERY LOCATION INFORMING THEM THAT THE BREAK-AWAY SYSTEM IS TIED INTO THE STORAGE BATTERY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUNDOWNER AT 1-800-654-3879, EXTENSION 2149.
SUNDOWNER TRAILERS, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Oct 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUNDOWNER SIERRA (NA). THE VEHICLE HAS TRAIL AMERICA, SIZE LT235/85R16 TIRES (NA). WHILE DRIVING 62 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHE NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. ONE HUNDRED MILES LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THE OTHER TWO TIRES HAD SILVER WIRES HANGING OUT OF THE SIDEWALLS. THE CONTACT HAS THE TIRES IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS A PULL TRAILER, THEREFORE NO ADDITIONAL VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 10/30/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10204838
Incident
Sep 25, 2007