2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger

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.

My 2017 THOR Challenger was part of NHTSA recall 21V-845. I made repairs to my coach in 2017 and 2018 totaling $4600. I have sent THOR all pictures and receipts from those repairs. I started the process in March 2022. Last week they informed me it is not a Thor recall, and I would have to deal with the company that manufactured the doors for them. I have included recent correspondence with them. I can, if you request, send all my receipt and pictures for the repairs that i had done. I wish to file a formal complaint for the disregard of NHTSA recall 21V-845. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The dealer stated NHTSA 21V-845 was not a Thor recall and the consumer had 15 doors replaced at the owners expense totaling over $4600.

NHTSA ID

11483059

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 Thor Challenger Motorhome. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, an abnormally loud banging sound was heard and another vehicle honked the contact, alerting him to look in the rearview mirror. The contact noticed styrofoam flying from the motorhome and the external compartment door flapping open. The contact pulled over and examined the RV and became aware that one of the external compartment door skin had separated from the glue. The contact used masking tape to tape the separated door compartment and four other door compartments that were starting to separate as well. The vehicle was not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V845000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 19,100.

NHTSA ID

11440444

Incident

Nov 10, 2021

Mileage

19,100 mi

THE PLUNGER ON THE TRIMARK DOOR HANDLE/LOCK MECHANISM BROKE INTERNALLY, LOCKING US OUTSIDE OF OUR MOTOR HOME. THE MOTOR HOME WAS PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11118508

Incident

Jul 28, 2018

Mileage

6,000 mi

ON 04/16/2018AT APPROXIMATELY 1:15 WHILE TRAVELING WEST ON I-40 MIDWAY BETWEEN MILE MARKER238AND236I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE COACH. I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED IN THE LEFT HAND MIRROR, AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT DOOR, OPEN, FLAPPING IN THE BREEZE. I WAS APPROCHING EXIT236, SO I EXITED AND LOCATED A HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT JUST OFF THE EXIT. I PULLED INTO THE HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT AND UPON CHECKING THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT DOOR, FOUND THAT THE DOOR WAS SECURED. WHAT I SAW WAS IN FACT, THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT DOOR SKIN. I OBSERVED THAT THE DOOR SKIN HAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, NO MECHANICAL FASTENERS WE'RE LOCATED ON THE SKIN ,OR ON DOOR FRAME. I OBTAINED STAINLESS STEEL SELF DRILLING SHEET METAL SCREWS, FOLDED THE SKIN BACK INTO POSITION, AND SECURED IN PLACE WITH THE SCREWS, AND CONTINUED TO OUR DESTINATION WITHOUT FUTHER INCIDENT. CHECKED, AND FOUND NO OTHER DOORS AFFECTED. UPON RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP, APPROX 1 WEEK LATER, I CHECKED ALL DOORS, AND FOUND THE WATER TANK COMPARTMENT DOOR SKIN TO BE LOOSE, ALONG THE TOP OF THE LEADING EGDE. THIS DOOR WAS REMOVED, AND REATTACHED BY THE DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED THOR MOTORCOACH, ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT MISHAWAKA SHEET METAL, MANUFACTURERS OF THE DOORS IN QUESTION. I EMAILED MISHAWAKA SHEET METAL ON 05/02/17 AND RECEIVED A EMAIL FROM THEM ON 05/16/17 STATING THEY WERE AWARE OF PROBLEMS WITH SOME DOORS, AFTER BEING ASSEMBLED USING A BAD BATCH OF GLUE, WHICH CAUSES PROBLEMS AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THOR MOTORCOACH WITH THIS INFORMATION, WHICH APPARENTLY, THEY WERE AWARE OF, AS THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THERE ARE AT LEAST 8 OTHER OWNERS WITH COACHES EFFECTED. SHOULD THESE PANELS DETACH, IT COULD BE DEADLY !

NHTSA ID

11097125

Incident

Apr 16, 2018

Mileage

5,136 mi

WE HAVE OWNED OUR VEHICLE FOR 14 MONTHS WITH UNDER 7000 MILES DRIVEN AND USED APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES FOR TRIPS. WHILE WE WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE, THE TRIMARK ENTRY DOOR LATCH BROKE LEAVING 3 PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE AND ME OUTSIDE. I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH A WINDOW USING A LADDER WITH TOOLS TO DISASSEMBLE THE LOCK AND PRY OUT THE BROKEN PLUNGER PART. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE THAT REPRESENTS THE PART OF THE LATCH THAT BROKE. CURRENTLY, A DEADBOLT IS KEEPING THE DOOR CLOSE AND AM ALSO USING A VELCRO STRAP TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHILE TRAVELING. SINCE IT HAS BEEN 14 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW, I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, AFTER DOING RESEARCH THE REPLACEMENT PART BEING OFFERED IS THE EXACT SAME MECHANISM THAT OTHERS HAVE INDICATED HAS THE SAME ISSUE AFTER THEY HAVE REPLACED, SOME MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE CALLED THOR MOTORCOACH AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED TO BUY A NEW DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. TRIMARK IS OFFERING A NEWER REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER 37575-01-K WITH A REDESIGNED STEEL PLUNGER AND CHARGING $201. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE BY TRAPPING PEOPLE EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11040852

Incident

Oct 16, 2017

Mileage

6,700 mi

This letter stated that there were no Service Bulletins or Technical Service Bulletins issued for the month of November, 2019.

This letter stated that there was one (1) Service Notification issued for the month of October, 2017.