RoadVitals

2018 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 Apr 26, 2024
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 Jul 30, 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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Thor Motor Coach Ace, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and steering categories. 3 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

  • Electrical116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Steering116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%
  • Transmission116.7%
  • Visibility116.7%

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
18V498000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Jul 30, 2018
167 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Thor Ace 27.2 recreational vehicles. The rubber liquid propane (LP) hose may sag and contact the tire in the wheel well.
The risk: Contact with the tire may cause the LP hose to leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rubber LP hose and replace it as necessary. Dealers will install additional p-clamps or relocate the existing p-clamps to properly secure the hose, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000158.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000158View 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
17V692000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Nov 2, 2017
36 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Ace, Axis, Hurricane, Windsport, and Vegas motorhomes. The wiring for the trailer lights may have been inserted into the wrong locations of the trailer lighting socket causing the trailer lights to not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: If the trailer lights do not function as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Thor has notified owners and dealers will re-wire a new connector, free of charge. The recall began on November 21, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000148.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000148View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Apr 26, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Thor Ace RV. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly veered to the right and the driver was no longer able to properly steer the vehicle. A mobile mechanic was called to the location and diagnosed that the front passenger’s side wheel bearing had failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic stated that the wheel bearing failure was due to insufficient lubrication within the wheel bearing. The front passenger’s side wheel bearing and spindle were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was later taken to the local mechanic who discovered that the front driver’s side wheel bearing was also failing due to insufficient lubrication. The front driver's side wheel bearing was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,500.

NHTSA ID
11585360
Incident
Mar 20, 2024
Mileage
13,500 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 30, 2024

Transmission down shifts excessively on downhill grades

NHTSA ID
11580221
Incident
Feb 9, 2024
Visibility
Filed May 6, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 THOR ACE MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD FLUID SPRAYER DID NOT SPRAY THE FLUID HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAN THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD. THE FAILURE CAUSED A BUILD-UP OF DEBRIS ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF BAKERSFIELD (888-409-0053, LOCATED AT 5500 WIBLE RD, BAKERSFIELD, CA 93313) WHERE THE LINES WERE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE NOT CLOGGED. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO CHANGED THE WIPER BLADES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TECHNICIAN TOOK A PICTURE OF THE POSITION OF THE SPRAYER AND SENT IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT A MODIFICATION MAY BE A SOLUTION, BUT COULD NOT RECOMMEND IT DUE TO LIABILITY CONCERNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID
11205894
Incident
Dec 22, 2018
Mileage
300 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 THOR ACE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE, THE AUXILIARY BATTERY OVERHEATED, AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. UPON OPENING THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED ACID EMERGING FROM THE AUXILIARY BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CAMPING WORLD OF ALBUQUERQUE (14303 CENTRAL AVE NW, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87121 (888) 630-8978) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STABILIZER FOR THE FRONT AND REAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE AUXILIARY BATTERY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER AWAITING REPAIRS, BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE THE STABILIZER PARTS. THE THOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE FORD MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FORD MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT ONCE THOR MADE MODIFICATIONS, THE FORD WARRANTY WAS VOID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,300. *TT *JS

NHTSA ID
11112225
Incident
Apr 27, 2018
Mileage
2,300 mi
Electrical
Filed May 2, 2018

UNDERRATED CIRCUIT BREAKER, 15 AMP VICE 20 AMP, RATING FOR REAR AIR CONDITIONER. FORWARD AIR CONDITIONER, SAME MODEL AND SIZE, HAS CORRECT 20 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER. OVERRATED FUSE D8, 20 AMP VICE 15 AMP, ON CEILING LIGHTS. THIS WAS FOUND WHILE STATIONARY TROUBLESHOOTING A WATER LEAK. I DECIDED TO SEE WHAT SPARE FUSES I MAY NEED AND I NOTED THESE DISCREPANCIES.

NHTSA ID
11091394
Incident
May 2, 2018
Mileage
161 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—
2018Viewing530—
2017341—
2016751—
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.