2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Powertrain (other)240.0%
- Driver assistance120.0%
- Electrical120.0%
- Fuel system120.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2014 THOR CHATEAU (28Z) MOTOR COACH IN OCT 2013. IT HAS HAD THREE ELECTRICAL/FIRE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS OF THOR COACHES. 1. IN JUNE 2014 THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE REAR BED COMPARTMENT BEGAN SMOKING AT 2AM IN THE MORNING. THE WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE SOLID COPPER WIRE (EXTERNAL POWER) TO THE MULTI-STRAND LINE TO THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND WAS GLOWING RED/SMOKING. THE HEAT FROM THE POOR CONNECTION CAUSED THE TOP OF THE SWITCH BOX TO DEFORM AND CRACK. 2. IN DEC 2014 THE ELECTRICAL WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE POWER TO THE WATER HEATER SIMILARLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED, BUT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE OUTER CASE MELTED. 3. WHEN INSPECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE RV FOR RUST IN JUNE 2016, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WIRE FOR THE PROPANE TANK GAS LEVEL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WIRE WAS DRAPED OVER THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE OUTER PLASTIC COVER WAS FRAYED BY THE DRIVESHAFT AND MELTED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A "BURNING FUSE" LEADING TO THE LP GAS TANK. ANY ONE OF THESE DEFECTS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY DEATH BY FIRE IN THE COACH. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ALL THREE INCIDENTS: #1 & 2 IN RV PARKS, AND #3 WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE AN AUTO PARTS STORE - AFTER/BETWEEN HIGHWAY TRANSITS. I HAVE RETAINED THE PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THESE EVENTS AND ADDITIONAL PICTURES THAN THOSE BELOW - SHOWING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THOR'S MALPRACTICE IN MANUFACTURING. WHAT I REQUEST: 1. NOTIFICATION TO THOR MOTOR COACH OWNERS OF THESE KNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECTS. 2. IMPROVED ELECTRICAL STANDARDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THOR PRODUCTS - WIRE NUTS SHOULD BE TAPED TO PREVENT VIBRATING LOOSE. - UNDER CARRIAGE WIRING IS SUBSTANDARD / HAZARDOUS.
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 THOR CLASS C MOTORHOME WITH A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS ENGINE WHEN AFTER STARTING IT AFTER DINNER ON THE WAY BACK TO OUR RV SITE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND A MESSAGE FLASHED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". THE MAXIMUM SPEED I HAD WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WAS 25 MPH. I BARELY MADE IT 2 MILES TO OUR SITE AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE RV TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY NEARER OUR HOME IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT BLADE CHEVROLET INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE RELAY FEED B CIRCUIT WAS MIS-WIRED AND WAS PULLING POWER FROM THE O2 SENSOR NOT THE MIRROR OR BACKUP CAMERA CIRCUIT. WE WERE ADVISED THE REPAIRS WERE ONLY PARTIALLY UNDER WARRANTY AS WE HAD PURCHASED THE RV IN SEPTEMBER 2013 AND THOR WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. PART OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY CHEVROLET AS THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN HAVE A 100,000 WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL SINCE THE FAULTY RELAY WAS ORIGINAL MIS-WIRED, THIS ISSUE MAY ALSO HAPPEN TO OTHER THOR RV CUSTOMERS AND IT IS DANGEROUS HAVING ALMOST NO POWER ON A HILL OR OTHER CHALLENGING TOPOGRAPHY. I FEEL OUR MODEL RV SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND WE BE REIMBURSED BY THOR FOR THE $449.36 WE PAID TO REPAIR OUR RV. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING OUR 2014 THOR CLASS C MOTORHOME WITH A 2013 CHEVROLET EXPRESS ENGINE WHEN AFTER STARTING IT AFTER DINNER ON THE WAY BACK TO OUR RV SITE, THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND A MESSAGE FLASHED "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". THE MAXIMUM SPEED I HAD WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR WAS 25 MPH. I BARELY MADE IT 2 MILES TO OUR SITE AND ARRANGED TO HAVE THE RV TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY NEARER OUR HOME IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT BLADE CHEVROLET INDICATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE RELAY FEED B CIRCUIT WAS MIS-WIRED AND WAS PULLING POWER FROM THE O2 SENSOR NOT THE MIRROR OR BACKUP CAMERA CIRCUIT. WE WERE ADVISED THE REPAIRS WERE ONLY PARTIALLY UNDER WARRANTY AS WE HAD PURCHASED THE RV IN SEPTEMBER 2013 AND THOR WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE PAYMENT FOR REPAIRS. PART OF THE REPAIRS WERE COVERED BY CHEVROLET AS THE ENGINE AND DRIVE TRAIN HAVE A 100,000 WARRANTY, BUT I FEEL SINCE THE FAULTY RELAY WAS ORIGINAL MIS-WIRED, THIS ISSUE MAY ALSO HAPPEN TO OTHER THOR RV CUSTOMERS AND IT IS DANGEROUS HAVING ALMOST NO POWER ON A HILL OR OTHER CHALLENGING TOPOGRAPHY. I FEEL OUR MODEL RV SHOULD BE REVIEWED FOR SIMILAR ISSUES AND WE BE REIMBURSED BY THOR FOR THE $449.36 WE PAID TO REPAIR OUR RV. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2014 THOR CHATEAU (28Z) MOTOR COACH IN OCT 2013. IT HAS HAD THREE ELECTRICAL/FIRE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS OF THOR COACHES. 1. IN JUNE 2014 THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE REAR BED COMPARTMENT BEGAN SMOKING AT 2AM IN THE MORNING. THE WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE SOLID COPPER WIRE (EXTERNAL POWER) TO THE MULTI-STRAND LINE TO THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND WAS GLOWING RED/SMOKING. THE HEAT FROM THE POOR CONNECTION CAUSED THE TOP OF THE SWITCH BOX TO DEFORM AND CRACK. 2. IN DEC 2014 THE ELECTRICAL WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE POWER TO THE WATER HEATER SIMILARLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED, BUT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE OUTER CASE MELTED. 3. WHEN INSPECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE RV FOR RUST IN JUNE 2016, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WIRE FOR THE PROPANE TANK GAS LEVEL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WIRE WAS DRAPED OVER THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE OUTER PLASTIC COVER WAS FRAYED BY THE DRIVESHAFT AND MELTED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A "BURNING FUSE" LEADING TO THE LP GAS TANK. ANY ONE OF THESE DEFECTS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY DEATH BY FIRE IN THE COACH. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ALL THREE INCIDENTS: #1 & 2 IN RV PARKS, AND #3 WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE AN AUTO PARTS STORE - AFTER/BETWEEN HIGHWAY TRANSITS. I HAVE RETAINED THE PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THESE EVENTS AND ADDITIONAL PICTURES THAN THOSE BELOW - SHOWING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THOR'S MALPRACTICE IN MANUFACTURING. WHAT I REQUEST: 1. NOTIFICATION TO THOR MOTOR COACH OWNERS OF THESE KNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECTS. 2. IMPROVED ELECTRICAL STANDARDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THOR PRODUCTS - WIRE NUTS SHOULD BE TAPED TO PREVENT VIBRATING LOOSE. - UNDER CARRIAGE WIRING IS SUBSTANDARD / HAZARDOUS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I PURCHASED A 2014 THOR CHATEAU (28Z) MOTOR COACH IN OCT 2013. IT HAS HAD THREE ELECTRICAL/FIRE ISSUES THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS OF THOR COACHES. 1. IN JUNE 2014 THE ELECTRICAL TRANSFER SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE REAR BED COMPARTMENT BEGAN SMOKING AT 2AM IN THE MORNING. THE WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE SOLID COPPER WIRE (EXTERNAL POWER) TO THE MULTI-STRAND LINE TO THE FUSE BOX HAD MELTED AND WAS GLOWING RED/SMOKING. THE HEAT FROM THE POOR CONNECTION CAUSED THE TOP OF THE SWITCH BOX TO DEFORM AND CRACK. 2. IN DEC 2014 THE ELECTRICAL WIRE NUT CONNECTING THE POWER TO THE WATER HEATER SIMILARLY OVERHEATED AND MELTED, BUT WAS CAUGHT BEFORE THE OUTER CASE MELTED. 3. WHEN INSPECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE RV FOR RUST IN JUNE 2016, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SENSOR WIRE FOR THE PROPANE TANK GAS LEVEL WAS NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE WIRE WAS DRAPED OVER THE DRIVE SHAFT AND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE OUTER PLASTIC COVER WAS FRAYED BY THE DRIVESHAFT AND MELTED BY THE EXHAUST PIPE. THIS COULD HAVE CREATED A "BURNING FUSE" LEADING TO THE LP GAS TANK. ANY ONE OF THESE DEFECTS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY DEATH BY FIRE IN THE COACH. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY FOR ALL THREE INCIDENTS: #1 & 2 IN RV PARKS, AND #3 WHILE PARKED OUTSIDE AN AUTO PARTS STORE - AFTER/BETWEEN HIGHWAY TRANSITS. I HAVE RETAINED THE PHYSICAL ARTIFACTS FROM THESE EVENTS AND ADDITIONAL PICTURES THAN THOSE BELOW - SHOWING THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THOR'S MALPRACTICE IN MANUFACTURING. WHAT I REQUEST: 1. NOTIFICATION TO THOR MOTOR COACH OWNERS OF THESE KNOWN ELECTRICAL WIRING DEFECTS. 2. IMPROVED ELECTRICAL STANDARDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF THOR PRODUCTS - WIRE NUTS SHOULD BE TAPED TO PREVENT VIBRATING LOOSE. - UNDER CARRIAGE WIRING IS SUBSTANDARD / HAZARDOUS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .