RoadVitals

2004 Thor California Wanderer Vortex

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 Aug 31, 2005
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 May 25, 2004
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 2004 Thor California Wanderer Vortex, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 3 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 & structure1100.0%

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
04V243000

STRUCTURE

May 25, 2004
83 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN 'TOY BOX' TRAVEL TRAILERS, IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY OCCUR WHEN THE BACK OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER IS LOADED WITH CARGO.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY CAUSE HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRAVEL TRAILER, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POTENTIAL SWAYING OF THE TRAILER WHILE BEING TOWED ON THE ROAD, WHICH COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND THE TOW VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD THE NECESSARY WEIGHT AT THE TRAILER'S A-FRAME, CHANGE THE TRAILERS A-FRAME TO A THICKER STEEL, AND CHANGE THE TRAILER'S COUPLER AND SAFETY CHAINS TO A HIGHER WEIGHT RATING. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR CALIFORNIA AT 1-888-697-8467.
THOR CALIFORNIA INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V242000

STRUCTURE

May 25, 2004
48 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS, IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY OCCUR WHEN THE BACK OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER IS LOADED WITH CARGO.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY CAUSE HANDLING PROBLEMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POTENTIAL SWAYING OF THE TRAILER WHILE BEING TOWED ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN AN CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND THE TOW VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD THE NECESSARY WEIGHT AT THE TRAILER'S A-FRAME. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR CALIFORNIA AT 1-888-697-8467. THIS RECALL WAS SUPERSEDED BY 06V-466.
THOR CALIFORNIA INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V241000

STRUCTURE

May 25, 2004
224 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS, IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY OCCUR WHEN THE BACK OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER IS LOADED WITH CARGO.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE IMPROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION MAY CAUSE HANDLING PROBLEMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, POTENTIAL SWAYING OF THE TRAILER WHILE BEING TOWED ON THE ROAD. THIS COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN AN CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAVEL TRAILER AND THE TOW VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD REINFORCING STEEL TO THE A-FRAME, INSTALL A NEW COUPLER WITH HIGHER WEIGHT CAPACITY, AND HIGHER CAPACITY SAFETY CHAINS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR CALIFORNIA AT 1-888-697-8467.
THOR CALIFORNIA INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Aug 31, 2005

DT: THE OWNER RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN# 04V241000 IN NOVEMBER OF 2004 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR REPAIRS. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WITHIN A WEEK. THIS WAS THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE PURCHASED THE RV FROM. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL. THEY WOULD NOT RETURN HIS PHONE CALLS. THEY DIDN'T SHOW MUCH INTEREST IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP,AND THEY CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO REPAIR IT. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THEY ONLY DO SERVICE OF VEHICLES AS A COURTESY. THE OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN JUNE OF 2005. THOR OF CALIFORNIA WAS NOT COOPERATING WITH THE RECALL. ON AUGUST 9,2005 THE OWNER TALKED WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THOR, WHO INSTRUCTED HIM TO GET THE INFORMATION OF A WELDER IN HIS AREA THAT COULD PERFORM THE RECALL REMEDY. THE OWNER GAVE THE CONTACT INFORMATION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE, AND HAS NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THOR. THE OWNER COULD HAVE THE RV TOWED UNTIL HE GOT IT REPAIRED. *AK (11/08/05) THE WELDS THAT HELD THE HITCH COUPLER TO THE FRAME ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH. *SC

NHTSA ID
10134936
Incident
Nov 13, 2004