RoadVitals

2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger

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 Sep 7, 2021
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.
6
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.
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 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger, most frequently naming the visibility category. 6 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

  • Visibility7100.0%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Sep 7, 2021

Windshield wipers get stuck in the up position. Going highway speed in heavy rain. Lost visibility. Spoke with Larry Long with NHTSA. He advised that I make this report and that there are active recalls for this problem.

NHTSA ID
11431991
Incident
Aug 2, 2021
Visibility
Filed May 24, 2021

Windshield wipers stopped working during a rainstorm. The passenger side was stuck below the windshield and caused the driver side to also stop operating.

NHTSA ID
11418339
Incident
May 10, 2021
Visibility
Filed Mar 16, 2021

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK WHILE TRAVELING IN RAIN CONDITIONS. THE PASSENGER WIPER TRAVELS INTO THE DRIVER SIDE WIPERS MECHANISM AND PREVENTS THEM FROM WORKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER BEING "FIXED" BY THOR UNDER A RECALL. NEVER HAVE THEY REPLACED THE SYSTEM, ONLY WASHERS AND TIGHTENED BOLTS. TRAVELING IN THE RAIN AT NIGHT AND THEN AGAIN IN DAYLIGHT BOTH ON THE HIGHWAY, AT 55-70 MPH. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT NO COST.

NHTSA ID
11403296
Incident
Mar 15, 2021
Mileage
26,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Nov 5, 2020

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING RAINSTORM. THEY WERE STUCK, THE DRIVER SIDE WAS PAST THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE LEFT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD BUT LOWER THAN THE WINDSHIELD ITSELF. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO COST.

NHTSA ID
11373203
Incident
Oct 31, 2020
Mileage
18,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR CHALLENGER RV. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE WAS LOOSE AND BECAME LOCKED WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER. THE FAILURE OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VIEW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAMPING WORLD OF TAMPA (4811 MCINTOSH RD, DOVER, FL 33527, (888) 851-2832), BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11234767
Incident
Aug 1, 2018
Mileage
16,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Oct 20, 2018

THE WIPER BLADES MALFUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING WITH THE WIPERS ON, THE RIGHT WIPER GETS STUCK UNDER THE LEFT WIPER AND BOTH BECOME INOPERABLE. WE HAVE BEEN CAUGHT IN HEAVY RAINS SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I WENT FROM 26 INCH WIPER BLADES TO 21 INCH BLADES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I HAVE REMOVED THE RIGHT SIDE WIPER, AND USE THE LEFT WIPER SPARINGLY. IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I AM DRIVING 65 MPH AND WHEN I HAVE SEEN STATIONARY. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY ONLY SOLUTION IS I HAVE BEEN USING RAINX. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIPER ASSEMBLY AND THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH THIS PRESENT PROBLEM. THERE WILL BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT REMEDIED.

NHTSA ID
11141597
Incident
Oct 3, 2018
Mileage
16,782 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 12, 2017

WIPERS FLOP TO ONE SIDE AND GET STUCK. TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL AND STILL NOT FIXED. HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE NEW.

NHTSA ID
11004725
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
8,548 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 Challenger by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023101—
2022201—
2021301—
2020110—
2019120—
2018030—
2017551—
2016Viewing760—
2015551—
2014661—
2013250—
2012020—
2011020—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004010—
2003010—

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.