RoadVitals

2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau

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.
2
Latest Sep 11, 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.
5
Latest Oct 8, 2019
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Other / unspecified150.0%

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

5 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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 8, 2019
101 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014 Tuscany 36M, 40E, 2015 Citation 24SL, Siesta 24SL, Axis 25.1 and Vegas 25.1, 2016 Four Winds 31E, 31W, 35SF, Chateau 31E, 31W, Synergy SD24, Citation 24SL, 24SS and Siesta 24SL, 24SS, 2017 Four Winds 31E, 31W, Chateau 31E, 35SD, Citation 24SS and Siesta 24SS, 2018 Citation 24SS and Siesta 24SS, 2019 Quantum CR24, Four Winds 24BL, Citation 24MB and Siesta 24MB and 2020 Quantum CR24, Citation 24MB, Siesta 24MB, Chateau 24BL and Synergy 24MB vehicles. The Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC) label has the incorrect carrying capacity listed, which can allow the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other Than Passenger Cars."
The risk: An inadvertently overloaded motorhome due to an incorrect carrying capacity can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will issue new OCCC labels with correct seating positions and weight calculations, free of charge. The recall began November 21, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000176.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000176View on NHTSA.gov

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

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 9, 2017
507 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."
The risk: If the water capacity information is incorrect and it causes the vehicle to be over loaded, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000147View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 11, 2020

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS, THE VEHICLE HAD AN ON-THE-HIGHWAY DOUBLE LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE REAR-TIRE BLOWOUT. THE MUDFLAP LOCATED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TIRES (OSTENSIBLY TO PROTECT THE PROPANE TANK) WAS WORN FROM FRICTION -- CAUSED FROM BEING PRESSED AGAINST THE ROTATING TIRES. THE OME TIRES IN THE FIRST INCIDENT WERE MANUFACTURED BY MICHELIN. THE REPLACEMENT TIRES IN THE SECOND INCIDENT WERE FROM GOODYEAR.

NHTSA ID
11354390
Incident
Sep 9, 2020
Mileage
27,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR CHATEAU. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HAD TO BRAKE ABRUPTLY AND THE CABINETS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTENTS OF THE CABINETS FLEW OUT TOWARDS THE CONTACT AND DAMAGED THE RADIO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE RV GENERAL STORE (3333 NORTH MERIDIAN AVE, NEW CASTLE, OK 73065) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, NOTHING COULD BE DONE REGARDING THE CABINETS. THE RADIO WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NHTSA ID
11022656
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
2,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

RC000218SADealer

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

us. On certain model year 2012– 2018 5-ton Sprinter vehicles that were upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles (“RVs”), one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially could lead to a disablement of the Electronic Stability Control (“ESP”) control unit functions. If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2013-2020 Chateau Citation & Four Winds Siesta, 2017-2019 Compass, 2017-2020 Four Winds, Gemini, Quantum, Chateau, & Synergy, and 2018-2020 Freedom Elite motorhomes

RC000218SAOwner

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On certain model year 2012– 2018 5-ton Sprinter vehicles that were upfitted into campers or recreational vehicles (“RVs”), one or more of the rear-wheel speed sensors may experience an electrical failure, which potentially could lead to a disablement of the Electronic Stability Control (“ESP”) control unit functions. If ESP control unit functions are disabled, vehicle driving stability may be impacted under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2013-2020 Chateau Citation & Four Winds Siesta, 2017-2019 Compass, 2017-2020 Four Winds, Gemini, Quantum, Chateau, & Synergy, and 2018-2020 Freedom Elite motorhomes

RC000210SADealer

STEERING

It has been determined that on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, the hydraulic power steering return line hoses might detach at their connection points under certain operating conditions, which could cause hydraulic fluid to leak, resulting in the loss of power steering assist. If the hydraulic power steering hose detaches, the driver will still have manual steering functionality, but increased steering effort will be needed, particularly at low speeds. Sudden loss of power steering assist as well as the loss of hydraulic steering fluid to the road surface may increase the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: 2017-2020 Chateau, Chateau Citation, Four Winds, Gemini, Quantum, Siesta, & Synergy; 2018-2019 Compass; 2018-2020 Freedom Elite; 2021 Sanctuary & Tranquility

RC000210SAOwner

STEERING

Model/Model Year to Add: 2017 Chateau 2017-2018 Chateau Citation 2017 Four Winds 2017-2019 Gemini 2017-2019 Quantum 2017-2019 Four Winds Siesta 2017-2019 Synergy 2018 Compass 2018 Freedom Elite 2021 Sanctuary 2021Tranquility PLEASE NOTE- Due to being unaware that chassis recall notifications we provide to TMC Owners and Dealers would need to be submitted at time of release, this communication is a historical filing.

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 Chateau by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026020
2025020
2024110
2023020
2022020
2021220
2020070
2019030
2018550
2017Viewing250
2016140
2015230
2014220
2013120
2012030
2011030
2010020
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.