RoadVitals

2015 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.
5
Latest Jan 14, 2025
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 Nov 22, 2017
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.
1
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Thor Motor Coach Ace, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and interior & seats categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Body & structure240.0%
  • Electrical240.0%
  • Interior & seats120.0%

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

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

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

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Sep 7, 2017
1,105 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Ace, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, Windsport, Palazzo, Tuscany, and Tuscany XTE motorhomes. The windshield wipers may fail due to the system being incorrectly installed or secured.
The risk: If the windshield wipers cannot be used, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiper system to verify it is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the system as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 27, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000146. Note: Although some of the vehicles included in this recall have previously been remedied under recalls 17V-096 or 17V-162, the vehicles may need additional repairs under this campaign.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000146View on NHTSA.gov

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Mar 13, 2017
8,617 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2015 ACE, Hurricane, Challenger, Daybreak, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes. These vehicles have windshield wiper systems that may have been improperly installed and secured, possibly causing the wipers to fail during use.
The risk: Failure of the windshield wipers may impair the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wiper arm securing nuts, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867.
Thor Motor CoachView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE20021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures

Opened Nov 23, 2020
Closed Dec 13, 2024

On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Jan 14, 2025
Fire reported

We have been experiencing multiple issues with the electrical system in our RV. There was a serious safety event to took place, where the wiring box under the bed created smoke and we could smell plastic burning. When investigated by my husband, he found that the box under the bed that housed all the wires for the RV had burn marks on the inside of the box and the wires and wire caps had melted. Then we started having issues with the generator not working, and were unable to use the generator. We had to pull the generator and taken it too a generator repair shop and found that the wires inside the generator were melted and were told it was unrepairable. The dealer that we purchased the RV from, will not help us. But this has to be a big issue with this model because we had met someone from a camp ground that had the same RV and they had to same electrical issues.

NHTSA ID
11635895
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 29, 2018

AFTER SMELLING A BURNT SMELL, I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND BURNT AND MELTED WIRE NUTS WITHIN THE POWER TRANSFER SWITCH. NUMEROUS SAME ISSUES ARE REPORTED ON THE THOR RV BLOG SITE. IT APPEARS THAT THEH WIRE NUTS COMMONLY USED IN HOUSEHOLD CONSTRUCTION COME LOOSE WHEN USED IN A MOVING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11114432
Incident
Jul 20, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed May 31, 2018

CSPC: RV DOOR LATCH BROKE. WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. LATCH FRACTURED AND COULD NOT BE ACTUATED BY THE HANDLES. *DT *JS *TT

NHTSA ID
11099648
Incident
May 25, 2018
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 26, 2018

DOOR LATCH FAILED. WAS NOT ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. LATCH BROKE SO THAT LEVERS DID NOT ACTUATE THE LATCH.

NHTSA ID
11098056
Incident
May 25, 2018
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 THOR MOTOR COACH ACE. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE MAIN ENTRANCE DOOR, THE LATCHED FAILED TO OPEN AND FRACTURED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE PLIERS TO GET THE LOCK TO TURN, BUT FAILED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DOOR KNOB WAS MADE OF CAST ZINC. HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SCREW, BUT THE DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11021492
Incident
Sep 3, 2017
Mileage
15,000 mi

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
2015Viewing541
2014341
2013340
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.