RoadVitals

2013 Thor Motor Coach Ace

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 Jul 31, 2013
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.
4
Latest Oct 9, 2018
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

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Thor Motor Coach Ace, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Brakes250.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Fuel system125.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
18V705000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Oct 9, 2018
2,854 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2013 Thor Ace, Daybreak, Challenger, Windsport, Hurricane, Outlaw, Tuscany, and Palazzo motorhomes. The windshield wiper system may have been incorrectly installed, causing the wipers to fail during use, reducing driver visibility.
The risk: A reduction of driver visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will verify that the windshield wiper system is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the wiper system as needed, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000161.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000161View on NHTSA.gov
17V758000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
110,400 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Thor Motor CoachView on NHTSA.gov
16V571000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Aug 2, 2016
5,633 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2012-2017 Ace, 2013 Citation, 2012-2013 Siesta and 2017 Four Winds and Road Bear Rental motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with shower curtains that may not adequately resist catching fire in the presence of an ignition source. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."
The risk: A flammable shower curtain may further fuel a fire, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shower curtains with curtains made with fire retardant, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020. Thor's number for this recall is RC000121.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000121View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2013
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING ON 8E FREEWAY AT 55 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE INTERIOR OF THE MOTORHOME FILLING WITH BLACK SMOKE AND THE SMOKE DETECTOR STARTED GOING OFF. BLACK SMOKE WAS POURING OFF THE BACK OF THE MOTORHOME AS WELL. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND GOT MY WIFE TWO GRANDKIDS AND TWO DOGS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON EXITING I FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ON FIRE AS WELL AS FIRE DRIPPING FROM THE EXHAUST TO THE GROUND. AFTER GETTING THE FIRE OUT, I DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE LEVELING SYSTEM HAD A HYDRAULIC LINE FAILURE AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS SPRAYING FLUID FROM THE FAILED LINE ON THE EXHAUST PIPE CAUSING THE FIRE. THE LEVELING SYSTEM IS USED FOR LEVELING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IT SHOULD NOT COME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. I ALSO FOUND OUT THE FIRE DESTROYED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE AND THE MOTORHOME LOST ALL THE BRAKES ON THE FREEWAY ON THE WAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP.

NHTSA ID
10533567
Incident
Jul 16, 2013
Mileage
3,318 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2013
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING A 2013 THOR ACE MOTOR HOME AT 60 MPH I HEARD BEEPING NOISE IN THE DRIVERS AREA. WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE SOURCE I DISCOVERED THE MOTOR HOME WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT. THE LEVELING SYSTEM HAD TURNED ON THE HYDRAULIC PUMP AND ONE OF THE RETURN LINES WAS LEAKING. THE RESULTING HIGH PRESSURE HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS SPRAYING ON THE EXHAUST AND IGNITING. THE LEVELING SYSTEM IS USED FOR LEVELING THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. APPARENTLY THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED SO THAT IF IT DETECTS ONE OF THE JACKS LOWERING WHILE DRIVING IT APPLIES HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE SYSTEM TO KEEP THE JACK UP, THE PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN IS THAT IF YOU HAVE A HYDRAULIC LEAK ON THE RETURN SIDE OF A JACK, THE SYSTEM SENDS HYDRAULIC FLUID TO A LEAKING LINE AND IN MY CASE IT STARTED A FIRE UNDER THE MOTOR HOME CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME INCLUDING CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO LEAK AND LOSING THE BRAKES TO THE MOTOR HOME AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532936
Incident
Jul 16, 2013
Mileage
3,800 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 27, 2013

I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT RUNNING GAS LINES INTO AND THEN OUT OF AN OIL COOLER THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FRONT OF THE RADIATOR AT THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE. ANY FRONT END COLLISION COULD CAUSE THESE NEW LINES AND OR THE OIL COOLER TO BREAK CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. I AM ATTACHING TWO PICTURES IN THE FIRST YOU CAN SEE THE OIL COOLER ATTACHED TO THE RADIATOR THROUGH THE FRONT GRILL OF THE VEHICLE, THE SECOND SHOWS A CLOSER VIEW OF THE OIL COOLER. THERE IS A THREAD WHICH HAS MORE PICTURES AND SOME OF THE OWNER'S REMARKS AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THEIR VEHICLES ON THE IRV2.COM FORUM. THIS IS A LINK TO THAT THREAD: HTTP://WWW.IRV2.COM/FORUMS/F121/ACE-GENERATOR-STOPS-RUNNING-CODE-36-A-125555.HTML AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. UPDATED 7/31/13 *CN

NHTSA ID
10522371
Incident
Jun 26, 2013

Manufacturer communications

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

LTR 120519

EQUIPMENT

This letter stated that there were no Service Bulletins or Technical Service Bulletins issued for the month of November, 2019.

LTR 110317

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This letter stated that there was one (1) Service Notification issued for the month of October, 2017.

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Thor Motor Coach Ace by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023100—
2022310—
2021310—
2020010—
2019200—
2018530—
2017341—
2016751—
2015541—
2014341—
2013Viewing340—
2012130—
2011120—

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.