RoadVitals

2021 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 Nov 5, 2025
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 Jul 20, 2020
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 2021 Thor Motor Coach Chateau, most frequently naming the engine category. 2 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

  • Engine1100.0%

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
20V419000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Jul 20, 2020
63 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Quantum, Chateau, and Freedom Elite motorhomes built on the 2020 Ford E-Series chassis. The battery cable may not have been properly secured within the chassis rail, which can cause it to contact the exhaust manifold and heat shield.
The risk: Battery cable contact with the exhaust manifold and heat shield can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the battery cable. If needed the cable will be re-routed and properly secured, free of charge. This recall began September 11, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000197.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000197View on NHTSA.gov
20V303000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

May 27, 2020
34 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Quantum, Chateau and Four Winds, and 2020 Vegas and Axis motorhomes built on a Ford E-series chassis. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
The risk: Damage to the fuel pump circuit in the wiring harness could result in an unexpected engine stall. Damage to the ABS wiring can lead to reduction of ABS functionality and a loss of roll stability control (RSC) functionality. These scenarios increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and Ford dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall The recall began June 25, 2020., 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000189.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000189View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Nov 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V795000 (ENGINE) on the 2021 Thor Motor Coach; however, when the dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment for the recall repair, the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased recently. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID
11697635
Incident
Nov 3, 2025
Filed Dec 21, 2024

Driving on I-10 on December 12, 2024, the Solar Panel flew off the roof of my 2021 Thor Chateaux 27R and into the ditch. My wife following the RV in our other vehicle saw it happen. Luckily no one was hit by the panel as it could have been deadly serious. Looking at the roof later, I found two brackets (of a total of 4) still intact but missing bolts while the two brackets on the other side were gone with only two small screw holes in the roof. Months before I found one of the brackets loose at the solar panel and secured it. All the other brackets were tight.

NHTSA ID
11631960
Incident
Dec 12, 2024

Manufacturer communications

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

RC000220SAOwner

SERVICE BRAKES

MBAG has determined that on certain model year 2019-2020 Sprinter vehicles, the retaining washer on the bolt that connects the brake pedal to its bearing block could come loose. If the retaining washer were to come loose, over time it could detach from the bolt, and in the worst case and with ongoing use of the brake pedal, the bolt might separate from the bearing block on one side. If this were to occur, the brake lamp switch could become continuously activated even when the brake pedal is not pressed. If the brake lamps are continuously illuminated, it would not be possible for following traffic to determine the braking intention of the vehicle, which could increase the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2020-2021 Citation, Compass, Daybreak, Delano, Four Winds, Freedom Elite, Gemini, Quantum, Siesta, Synergy, and Tiburon motorhomes.

RC000212SAOwner

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

On your vehicle, it may be possible that the engine cover insulation does not fully extend to the perimeter of the factory engine cover. In addition, vehicles built on a Ford chassis may have higher engine compartment temperatures during certain idle conditions. This may result in elevated temperatures at certain areas of the engine cover surface in the passenger compartment on both driver and passenger sides. Direct and continuous contact with exposed skin at these locations may cause skin irritation and/or a minor burn. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2021/2022 Axis, Chateau, Coleman, Daybreak, Four Winds, Freedom Elite, Magnitude, Majestic, Outlaw, Quantum, and Vegas motorhomes.

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—
2021Viewing220—
2020070—
2019030—
2018550—
2017250—
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.