RoadVitals

2005 Thor California Tahoe 36WTB

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.
6
Latest Dec 21, 2015
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 Nov 18, 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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Thor California Tahoe 36WTB, most frequently naming the body & structure, suspension 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 & structure228.6%
  • Suspension228.6%
  • Tires & wheels228.6%
  • Electrical114.3%

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
05V531000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Nov 18, 2005
387 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF OVERLOADING THE SLIDEOUT RESETTABLE CIRCUIT BREAKER AND THE SLIDEOUT CONTROL SWITCH.
The risk: THE SLIDEOUT CONTROL SWITCH MAY FAIL UNDER HIGH CURRENT LOADS, AND OVERHEAT POSSIBLY CAUSING A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SLIDEOUT CONTROL SWITCH AND REPLACE THE SLIDEOUT RESETTABLE CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH A SLOW BLOW, CERAMIC CARTRIDGE FUSE AND FUSE HOLDER ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOR AT 888-697-8467.
THOR CALIFORNIA INC.View on NHTSA.gov
05V259000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Jun 2, 2005
764 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS, UNDER EXTREME OR REPEATED EXTREME SIDE-LOADING OF THE AXLES, BENDING OF THE SPRING HANGERS MAY OCCUR.
The risk: SEVERE BENDING OF THE AXLE HANGERS, POSSIBILITY LOSS OF TRAILER CONTROL WHILE TOWING, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR WITH THE REQUIRED PARTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 10, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THOR AT 888-697-8467.
THOR CALIFORNIA INC.Manufacturer number 150030View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Dec 21, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 THOR CALIFORNIA TAHOE 36WTB. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED AND TILTED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAF SPRING WAS BENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V259000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10811397
Incident
Dec 20, 2015
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2008
1 injury reported

COMPLAINT IS FOR A THOR AEROLITE CUB HARD TOP TRAILER NOT A TAHOE 36WTB. I DID NOT FIND THE CUB LISTED IN YOUR DROP DOWN LIST. A FOUR MONTH OLD CHILD ROLLED OUT OF THE POP OUT BED OF THE TRAILER AND FELL APPROXIMATELY FOUR FEET TO THE GROUND BELOW NARROWLY MISSING THE TRAILER TONGUE. THE CHILD SUSTAINED FACIAL AND LEG TRAUMA AS A RESULT OF THE FALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244920
Incident
Sep 19, 2008
Filed Sep 17, 2008
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 THOR TAHOE 30MS (NA). THE TRAILER WAS ATTACHED TO A 2000 DODGE RAM. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRAILER BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER THEN MERGED INTO TRAFFIC AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. BOTH THE TRAILER AND VEHICLE TURNED OVER ONTO THEIR SIDES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OR INJURIES. THE GUARDRAIL SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE TRAILER WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE "BACK OF BALL RATIO". UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF

NHTSA ID
10242665
Incident
Aug 4, 2008
Tires & wheels
Filed Aug 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 THOR TAHOE 36WTB FIFTH WHEEL (NA). THE VEHICLE HAS TOMAX POWER KING ST TIRES, SIZE 23580R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DISINTEGRATED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES AND NOTICED ANOTHER FLAT TIRE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TREAD SEPARATED ON BOTH REAR TIRES. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE TIRES TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS A TRAILER, THEREFORE NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 11/14/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10199816
Incident
Jul 5, 2007
Mileage
8,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Jun 26, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 THOR TAHOE 36WTB. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, BOTH REAR TIRES BLEW OUT FIVE TIMES AND CAUSED FIVE CRASHES. THE CONTACT IS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED. THE TRAILER IS CURRENTLY IN THE REPAIR SHOP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THE BACK ENTRY STAIRS WERE REPLACED. THE WATER TANK UNDER THE TRAILER CAME OFF WHILE THE RV WAS PARKED. UPDATED 08/06/07.*JB

NHTSA ID
10194264
Incident
May 20, 2004
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 26, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE USING THE 5TH WHEEL, THE FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE STRUCTURE. THE BODY OF THE TRAILER WARPED AND CAME APART. THE TRAILER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE GENERATOR; FUSES ARE CONTINUALLY BLOWN AND REPLACED. THE TRAILER SHIFTS 1/4 INCH FORWARD WHEN THE WEIGHT IS RESTING ON THE HITCH. THE CONTACT HAD THE TRAILER INSPECTED BY AN AUTOMOTIVE EXPERT WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN IN A WRITTEN LETTER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD POSSESSION OF THE TRAILER FOR SEVERAL WEEKS FOR REPAIRS, HOWEVER THE ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. UPDATED 3/9/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ID
10148768
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
Mileage
100 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Thor California Tahoe 36WTB by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005Viewing620—
2004210—

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.