2020 Thor Motor Coach Miramar

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation, PE24023, on August 14, 2024, to investigate allegations of Thor Motor Coach motorhome frame or trailer hitch structure cracking and separating. The hitch was manufactured by Lippert and installed by Thor as standard original equipment. ODI received eight Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) describing the hitch structure cracking. If not caught in time, a cracked hitch can fully fracture and separate from the vehicle. ODI sent information requests to Thor and Lippert on September 6, 2024 and September 27, 2024, respectively. Thor's full response was received October 31, 2024, and Lippert's full response was received December 6, 2024. ODI reviewed the responses and learned of improvements introduced to increase the overall strength of the system. The manufacturers reported 32 total incidents, and ODI is aware of 37 non-duplicative subject vehicle incidents in total, including four crash incidents where the towed vehicle separated and struck a roadside feature. The overall failure rate for all subject vehicles is low, and ODI isnot aware of any failures on vehicles produced in the last 30 months. Although a defect has not been identified, the manufacturers understand the seriousness of a potential hitch receiver structure failure. As a result, Thor, supported by Lippert, is conducting a customer satisfaction campaign that instructs consumers to inspect their hitch structure and informs what to look for and what to do if issues are found. If consumers areuncomfortable performing this inspection, Thor dealers can inspect the trailer hitch for them. The inspection and repair will be done at no expense to the consumer. ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) with this manufacturer action. 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.

While driving on the highway at 60 MPH in a thunderstorm, the passenger windshield wiper collided with the driver's windshield wiper and became entangled with each other. I completely lost all wiper function and could no longer see the road. This was a life-threatening situation, with traffic all around us, and luckily, I was able to pull off the highway after about a quarter of a mile until the rain subsided. My wife and two grandchildren were in the RV at the time and this could have been a disaster. I called Thor this morning and they are tight-lipped about this problem happening to others, but I see in online Thor forums that even after an earlier recall, it is still happening to more recent models like mine. In my case, the splines on the passenger wiper arm are totally stripped, as are the spices on the wiper arm pivot shaft. The driver's wiper was OK after taking it off and re-aligning it, but may not hold since those splines were also partially stripped. Thor needs to take responsibility for putting in such an unreliable wiper system which is manufactured by Wexco Industries. I'm now stuck with $500 in parts (more if the driver's side also needs replacement), not including labor, to "fix" their poorly designed wiper system, not to mention the near disaster we experienced.

NHTSA ID

11541103

Incident

Aug 25, 2023

You have a Technical Service Bulletin 20-2370 issued 09 November 2020 for this vehicle, so no notice to consumers until the issue arises and their mechanic figures it out. The issue causes an extreme heat build up that melts spark plug wires, causes loss of power and/or misfiring, and could cause a vehicle fire which is not noted in your bulletin. This should have been a recall ceasing sales until affected Ford F-53s were repaired. I encountered this issue while on 38 in the San Bernardino National Forest. This was a major safety issue with the loss of power on mountain roads and potential for fire, which would likely have sparked a wildfire. I also have a 22yr old disabled son who does not ambulate quickly so the thought of trying to get him out in the event of a fire is troubling. To your questions below, there could have been a crash, fire, and/or injuries. Is that what it takes to do the right thing? I’ll provide invoices when my mechanic is done fixing it.

NHTSA ID

11425335

Incident

Jul 5, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Thor Motor Coach Miramar RV. The contact stated while driving at 50 mph, the contact’s husband saw smoke and flames coming from underneath the front driver’s side undercarriage. The driver pulled the vehicle over to the side of the roadway and exited the vehicle and saw a fire underneath the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact’s husband extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher and bottles of water. No one was injured. The local fire department arrived at the scene however, there was no fire report filed. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a hydraulic line oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.

NHTSA ID

11422330

Incident

Feb 16, 2021

Mileage

4,000 mi

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