RoadVitals

2016 Thor Motor Coach Axis

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.
4
Latest Jan 28, 2020
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.
2
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Thor Motor Coach Axis, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 3 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

  • Visibility250.0%
  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Suspension125.0%

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

2 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
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
15V530000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Aug 19, 2015
290 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Axis and Vegas recreational vehicles manufactured March 26, 2015, to July 6, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning control may lock on one setting, preventing the operator from changing the air flow, thereby eliminating the ability to defrost the windshield.
The risk: If the windshield cannot be defrosted, the driver's visibility may be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC has notified owners, and dealers will install a jumper harness to prevent the condition, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000103.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000103View 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

Body & structure
Filed Jan 28, 2020

WE WERE STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO FILL UP..WE HAD STEPPED OUT OF THE MOTORHOME TO BEGIN FILLING...MY HUSBAND DECIDED WE NEEDED TO PULL FORWARD...WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE MOTORHOME...THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. FORTUNATELY, WE, SENIOR CITIZENS, CLIMBED THROUGH AN UNLOCKED WINDOW NEAR THE DRIVERS SEAT AND WITH THE HELP OF A KIND PERSON ON THE OUTSIDE, WE WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF WORKING ON IT. THE ENTRY DOOR LOCKSET FAILED LOCKING US OUR OF OUR MOTORHOME. THE PLUNGER WAS MADE OF POT METAL AND FAILED/BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING THE PIECE IN THE DOOR STRIKER PLATE TO REMAIN STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION...CAUSING THE DOOR TO BE CLOSED IN A LOCKED POSITION. TRIMARK/DEXTER LOCKSET FOR RV #29412 38H THOR AND TRIMARK ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ..TRIMARK HAS MADE A STEEL PLUNGER TO 'FIX' ISSUE BUT MAKES NO EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE THE COST OF REPLACEMENT...THOR IGNORES THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11302531
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Mileage
28,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR MASTER T-20 (NA) TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AXLE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE WHEEL FRACTURED DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING. THE WELDING FAILED TO SECURE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MIDDLE WHEEL TO THE AXLE, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL AND AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE AXLE AND WHEEL WERE NOT REPLACED. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE TO REPORT.

NHTSA ID
10984459
Incident
May 1, 2017
Visibility
Filed May 20, 2016

I HAVE COMPLIED WITH SAFETY RECALL 15V-530, SAFETY ADVISORY RC000103. THE PROBLEM REMAINS, NO CHANGE, I CANNOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT AIR FLOW IS TO THE FLOOR REGARDLESS OF THE AIR FLOW CONTROL SETTING. AS STATED IN THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A DEFECTIVE AIR FLOW CONTROL UNIT WHICH DOES NOT PERMIT AIR FLOW TO THE WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER VENTS. TMC'S "FIX" IS TO PREVENT THE SPIKE WHICH DISABLES THE DEFECTIVE CONTROL UNIT, HOWEVER, THE DEFECTIVE UNIT REMAINS. IN MY CASE, THE UNIT IS ALREADY LOCKED AND I CANNOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD. THE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE CURRENT REMEDY HAS NO IMPACT ON VEHICLES WHOSE DEFECTIVE AIR FLOW UNIT IS ALREADY LOCKED. THE CURRENT REMEDY LEAVES THE DEFECTIVE UNIT IN THE VEHICLE AND IN MY CASE DOES NOT REMEDY THE SITUATION BY WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR.

NHTSA ID
10870097
Incident
May 20, 2016
Mileage
7,040 mi
Visibility
Filed Sep 23, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR AXIS. WHILE TRAVELING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE WINDOWS HAD EXCESSIVE FOG AND THE DEFROSTER FAILED. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V530000 (VISIBILITY). THE CONTACT HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THE PART TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR APPOINTMENT FOR LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE FOR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500.

NHTSA ID
10774168
Incident
Aug 21, 2015
Mileage
1,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

TSB 20-06

VISIBILITY

It has been determined that certain 2016-2018 XS/VS equipped with a Wexco butterfly wiper system may experience a wiper sweep angle that does not fully clear the field of view for the driver.

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 Axis by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025110—
2024010—
2023010—
2022310—
2021110—
2020140—
2019110—
2018230—
2017420—
2016Viewing421—
2015331—
2014020—

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.