2021 Thor Motor Coach Windsport

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.

The overhead cabinet above driver and passerger seat is falling off which can cause acident I contact Thor Motor Coach and they will not fix under warranty but back 2018-2019 had recall part 573 safety recall report. what can i do to resolve this problem,

NHTSA ID

11505833

Incident

Feb 5, 2023

The 2021 Thor Windsport would not start. The batteries were tested and had sufficient power to start the motorcoach. The motorcoach was towed to the dealer, Camping World in Berkley Massachusetts. The technician(s) replaced the batteries and attempted to start the motorcoach at which time sparks and there is evidence of fire as burnt wiring and electrical components are viewed in the battery compartment. The technician(s) used rocks and dirt to extinquish the fire. No one was injured. Thor has several other recalls regarding batteries and fire risk yet the 2021 Windsport is not included. Our motorhome at this point is unusable.

NHTSA ID

11417556

Incident

May 7, 2021

On your vehicle, the rear axle may contain an inadequate volume of lubricating oil. An inadequate volume of rear axle lubricant may result in rear wheel bearing damage potentially leading to bearing seizure. Bearing seizure may lead to rear axle or driveshaft failure. A rear axle or driveshaft failure may result in loss of vehicle motive power, loss of transmission park function, and loss of parking brake function, increasing the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2021/2022 Ace, Challenger, Freedom Traveler, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes

On certain model year 2021 Hurricane & Windsport Motorhomes built on a 2020 Ford F53 Chassis, the fog light relay will buzz at a certain voltage range. The fix will be to install a harness to the fog light relay.