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2020 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite

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 Oct 2, 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.
7
Latest Nov 17, 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, most frequently naming the electrical and fuel system categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Fuel system150.0%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
20V711000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Nov 17, 2020
1,074 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Chateau, Freedom Elite, Quantum motorhomes built on a Chevrolet chassis. The BIM (Battery Isolation Manager)/BIR (Battery Isolation Relay) is not watertight when exposed to engine compartment heat.
The risk: Water may get into the BIM/BIR and create electrical arcing, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BIM/BIR with a Trombetta solenoid, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2021. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000206.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000206View on NHTSA.gov
20V444000

AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; SEATS

Jul 29, 2020
463 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Quantum, Delano, Tiburon, Chateau and Freedom Elite motorhomes and 2020 Gemini, Chateau Citation, Compass, Siesta, and Synergy motorhomes built on Sprinter Van chassis (platform 970 (VS30), equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
The risk: If the wiring harness is damaged, the side air bag within the seat may deploy inadvertently or not deploy as designed in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The remedy: Thor will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the wire harness routing for both front seats and will repair the wiring and add clips or cable ties as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 13, 2020. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867 Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Thor's number for this recall is RC000200.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000200View on NHTSA.gov
20V423000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Jul 22, 2020
934 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freedom Elite, and 2021 Four Winds motorhomes. A 100amp converter breaker was incorrectly installed at the battery tray when a 70amp breaker is required, possibly resulting in the wiring connected to the breaker overheating.
The risk: Overheated wires can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the converter breaker with one of the correct amperage if needed, free of charge. This recall began September 18, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000199.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000199View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalFuel system
Filed Oct 2, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 THOR MOTOR COACH FREEDOM ELITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RV LOSS MOTIVE POWER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE RV WAS TOWED TO WAXAHACHIE FORD LOCATED AT 1780 W. HWY 287 BYPASS, WAXAHACHIE, TX 75167, (972) 825-4500, AND THE SaTARTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER ANOTHER FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE FUEL RELAY MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND PICK THE VEHICLE UP. WHILE BRINGING THE TO THE CONTACT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE SAME DEALER FOR THE PAST TWO MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,117.

NHTSA ID
11362433
Incident
Oct 2, 2020
Mileage
1,117 mi
Filed Aug 18, 2020
Fire reported

A BICYCLIST ALERTED US AT 0630 THAT OUR RV WAS ON FIRE AS IT SAT PARKED, OFF AND UNPLUGGED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE RV WAS IN FLAMES AND WE EVACUATED OUR HOME SECONDS BEFORE THE RV EXPLODED ABOUT 5 FEET FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW. 7 FIRE TRUCKS RESPONDED. THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID THAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A METAL ROOF, OUR WHOLE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FLAMES BECAUSE OF THE HOT EMBERS ON THE ROOF. OUR HOME, CAR AND LANDSCAPING SUFFERED DAMAGE AS WELL FROM THE FLAMES. AT FIRST, WE WERE JUST HAPPY THAT NO ONE WAS IN IT AND THAT NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT AFTER A FEW DAYS PASSED, I REALIZED THAT THIS EVENT WAS CATASTROPHIC AND WE ARE NOW LEFT WITH DAMAGES FROM A FAULTY PRODUCT AND THE EMOTIONAL TOLL OF ALL THE "WHAT IF" SCENARIOS!*DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11350137
Incident
Aug 13, 2020
Mileage
4,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

RC000220SADealer

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.

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.

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

LTR 120519

EQUIPMENT

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

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 Freedom Elite by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025020—
2024110—
2023010—
2022200—
2021040—
2020Viewing270—
2019040—
2018330—
2017220—
2016020—
2015020—
2014010—
2013010—
2012030—
2011020—
2010010—

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.