RoadVitals

2016 Thor Motor Outlaw

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.
6
Latest Jun 1, 2018
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.
6
Latest Nov 22, 2017
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.
1
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 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Thor Motor Outlaw, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and interior & seats categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Visibility457.1%
  • Body & structure114.3%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
17V758000

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
17V555000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Sep 7, 2017
1,105 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Ace, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, Windsport, Palazzo, Tuscany, and Tuscany XTE motorhomes. The windshield wipers may fail due to the system being incorrectly installed or secured.
The risk: If the windshield wipers cannot be used, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiper system to verify it is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the system as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 27, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000146. Note: Although some of the vehicles included in this recall have previously been remedied under recalls 17V-096 or 17V-162, the vehicles may need additional repairs under this campaign.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000146View on NHTSA.gov
17V162000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Mar 13, 2017
8,617 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2015 ACE, Hurricane, Challenger, Daybreak, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes. These vehicles have windshield wiper systems that may have been improperly installed and secured, possibly causing the wipers to fail during use.
The risk: Failure of the windshield wipers may impair the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wiper arm securing nuts, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867.
Thor Motor CoachView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE20021ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures

Opened Nov 23, 2020
Closed Dec 13, 2024

On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed.  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.

EQUIPMENT

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Jun 1, 2018

EXIT DOOR LOCK BROKE, PREVENTING US FROM EXITING THE MOTORHOME. TRIMARK BRAND LOCK SET IS BOTH A DEAD BOLT AND SPRING LATCH. SPRING LATCH BROKE INTO TWO PIECES AND REMAINED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. TRIMARK HAS MADE A REPLACEMENT LOCK SET TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE SET. SO TRIMARK IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THOR ONLINE FORUM AND OTHER RV FORUMS REPORT THIS DEFECT AND OTHERS NECESSITATING VEHICLE EXIT VIA A WINDOW. IN AN EMERGENT NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THIS DEFECT COULD PROVE DISASTROUS. WE WERE PARKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO US. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT THE LOCK SET WAS FAILING. *TT

NHTSA ID
11099251
Incident
May 28, 2018
Mileage
16,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-53 MOTORHOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MOTOR COACH HEADQUARTERS (701 COUNTY RD 15, ELKHART, IN 46516) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. NOW DURING A RAINSTORM, THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER GOES BELOW THE LOWER WINDOW AND EVENTUALLY BINDS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE. I THEN HAVE TO GET OUT, REALIGN THE WIPER ARMS AND RETIGHTEN THE NUTS. I ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN USING THE INTERMITTENT WIPER FUNCTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BUNK WINDOW REPLACE 2X. IN BOTH CASES THEY FELL OUT WHILE IN ROUTE. I HAVE REQUESTED AND NOT RECEIVED ANY REPAIR ORDERS FOR THE WORK DONE BY GENERAL RV, OR THOR

NHTSA ID
11064177
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
5,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jul 13, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR OUTLAW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR RV EGRESS WINDOW DEATCHED FROM THE RV WHILE BEING OPERATED AT 60 MPH. THIS IS LOCATED IN THE BUNK AREA ABOVE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GENERAL RV WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFED AND DID NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTACT'S CONCERNS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,500. WHEN THE EGRESS WINDOW DETACHED THE 2ND TIME, THE CAR BEHIND ME DID AN AGGRESSIVE MANEUVER BY SPEEDING AROUND ME AND APPLIED HIS BRAKES WHILE IN FRONT OF ME, FORCING ME TO COME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. THE DRIVER NOTIFIED ME THAT HE WAS ALMOST HIS BY A FLYING WINDOW FROM MY RV.

NHTSA ID
11005010
Incident
May 25, 2017
Mileage
2,500 mi
Visibility
Filed May 5, 2017

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED LETTER DESCRIBING WIPER FUNCTIONS AND DAMAGE DONE TO MY RV AS A RESULT. ..UPDATED 05/15/17 *BF *AS *CN

NHTSA ID
10984128
Incident
Sep 24, 2016
Mileage
130 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Feb 2, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 THOR OUTLAW 37RB RV. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE SLIDE OPENED. THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE SLIDE TO HIT VEHICLES IN ANOTHER LANE. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE MOTORS FOR THE SLIDES AND ADJUSTED THE SLIDE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BECAUSE THE WIPER FAILURE RECURRED, THE WINDOWS FOGGED AND THE DEFROSTER DID NOT DEFROST THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS WORKING PROPERLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ID
10949141
Incident
Sep 8, 2016
Mileage
1,200 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 21, 2016

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS HIT IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD BY THE UPPER SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY AND NUT CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT CONSTRUCTION BARRELS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD MY WIFE TAKE A PICTURE OF THE NUT THAT CAME OFF. I ALSO HAD MY PASSENGER CHECK THE SEAT BELT UPPER ATTACHMENT ON HIS SIDE AND THE NUT WAS NOT SECURE JUST ON BY A FEW THREADS. HAD TO PULL OVER AT THE NEXT EXIT AND SECURE THE NUTS WITH THE TOOLS THAT I HAD WITH ME.

NHTSA ID
10897410
Incident
Aug 4, 2016
Mileage
1,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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.