RoadVitals

2016 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.
7
Latest Feb 17, 2019
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.
5
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Thor Motor Coach Ace, most frequently naming the interior & seats and body & structure categories. 5 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

  • Interior & seats266.7%
  • Body & structure133.3%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
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
17V555000

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
17V162000

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

Filed Feb 17, 2019

THE SLIDE MOTOR NEEDED REPLACING. IT WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND THE SAME MOTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. SHORTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. OUT OF WARRANTY I WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT WATER FROM THE ROOF WAS ABLE TO LEAK INTO THE MOTOR HOUSING AND WAS CAUSING THE MOTORS TO SHORT OUT. THE MOTORS REQUIRED REPLACING ARE LIPPERT HIGH TORQUE 500:1 MOTOR; IN-WALL SLIDE-OUT #287298

NHTSA ID
11180696
Incident
Feb 1, 2018
Mileage
13,000 mi
Filed Feb 17, 2019

THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM BROKE. THE METAL BROKE RESULTING IN THE LOCK BECOMING UNUSABLE. DOOR NEEDED A FULL REPLACEMENT LOCK. NEW TRIMARK RV ENTRY DOOR LOCK 60-650 WAS REPLACED TO FIX THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11180695
Incident
Nov 20, 2017
Mileage
10,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Sep 29, 2018

ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 I FOUND MYSELF TRAPPED INSIDE MY 2016 THOR ACE 30.1 MOTORHOME. THE DOOR LEVER THE DOOR, WHICH WAS NOT LOCKED, WOULD NOT OPEN. IT WAS OBVIOUS FROM THE WAY THE DOOR LEVEL PULLED THAT IT WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE LATCH. FORTUNATELY AT 73 YEARS OF AGE I AM STILL AGILE ENOUGH TO CLIMB OUT THE REAR ESCAPE WINDOW, SOMETHING THAT MY WIFE DUE TO SOME PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS COULD NEVER HAVE DONE. UPON TAKING THE MOTORHOME TO CAMPING WORLD THEIR TECHNICIAN HAD TO LITERALLY DRILL OUT THE MATERIAL AROUND THE DOOR LEVER TO GET TO THE LATCH SO IT COULD BE RETRACTED AND A NEW DOOR LATCH UNIT INSTALLED. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF THE 'POT METAL' IN THE MECHANISM. BASED ON A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH I DISCOVERED NUMEROUS CASES OF OWNERS COMPLAINING OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. THE MOTORHOME, AT THIS TIME ONLY HAD 5,500 MILES THUS THE PROBLEM OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT RELATED TO AGE OR EXTENSIVE USE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO THE POOR QUALITY OF THIS COMPONENT. BASED ON THE TECHNICIANS COMMENT AND MY INTERNET SEARCH I AM SURE THOR KNOWS ABOUT THE SITUATION. SINCE THE REPLACEMENT DOOR LATCH MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL WE EXPERIENCE A HIGH LEVEL OF DISCOMFORT AS WE TRAVEL IN OUR THOR MOTORHOME. HOPEFULLY THIS SUB QUALITY COMPONENT DOES NOT FAIL AGAIN IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION RESULTING IN A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. SINCERELY, [XXX] AND [XXX] [XXX] HUNTLEY, IL [XXX] [XXX] *DT UPDATED 10/10/18*JB UPDATE 10/18/18 *DT PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

NHTSA ID
11132271
Incident
Sep 22, 2018
Mileage
5,500 mi
Filed Sep 18, 2018

THE EXTERIOR DOOR LOCK MADE BY TRI-MARK BROKE TRAPPING ME AND MY FAMILY INSIDE. THE RV WAS PARKED AT THE TIME. THE DOOR LOCK HAD TO BE DISASSEMBLED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. HAD THEIR BEEN A FIRE OR SOME OTHER EMERGENCY THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF LIFE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE FOR MANY OF THEIR LOCKS.

NHTSA ID
11130238
Incident
Sep 14, 2018
Mileage
8,700 mi
Filed Jul 9, 2018

DOOR LOCK MECHANISM BROKE WHILE VEHICLE STATIONARY CAMPING. FAMILY OF 5 LOCKED OUT, DOG LOCKED IN 101 DEGREE WEATHER, HAD TO BREAK WINDOW AND BREAK DOOR MECHANISM TO GET DOG OUT. KNOWN RECURRENT PROBLEM. WE COULD HAVE AS EASILY BEEN LOCKED IN. COULD NOT OPEN FROM EITHER SIDE. TRIMARK IS LOCK BRAND NAME. METAL PART INSIDE SNAPPED IN TWO.

NHTSA ID
11110381
Incident
Jul 2, 2018
Mileage
3,600 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Apr 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR ACE (MODEL 29.4) RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR ENTRY DOOR WAS UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DOOR LATCH BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT LEFT A VOICEMAIL WITH THE THOR MANUFACTURER AT 1-877-855-2867, ALERTING THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,391.

NHTSA ID
11088692
Incident
Apr 16, 2018
Mileage
14,391 mi
Filed Nov 14, 2016

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 IN NC DOING ABOUT 65 MPH IN A VERY HEAVY RAIN STORM AT NIGHT. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY TO THE WIPER MOTOR CAME OFF AND THE WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY SEPERATED FROM THE WIPER MOTOR CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO STOPPED WORKING. VISIBILITY WHEN TO ZERO. LUCKILY THERE WAS AN EXIT TO GET OFF I-95. ONCE I TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM I RE-ATTACHED THE WIPER ARM ASSEMBLY TO THE WIPER MOTOR AND I THEN REPLACED THE NUT WITH A REPLACEMENT NUT. THE AVERAGE PERSON DOES NOT HAVE AN ASSORTMENT REPLACEMENTS NUT AND WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK IF NOT IN A ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
10925704
Incident
Nov 9, 2016
Mileage
6,500 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—
2016Viewing751—
2015541—
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.