RoadVitals

2017 Thor Palazzo

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 Mar 10, 2019
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.
4
Latest Oct 30, 2018
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 Thor Palazzo, most frequently naming the body & structure and engine categories. 4 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

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Engine150.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
18V763000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Oct 30, 2018
1,769 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017 Tuscany XTE and 2017-2019 Venetian, Aria, Tuscany, and Palazzo motorhomes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation chassis. The Power Distribution Module (PDM) may have been damaged during manufacturing, possibly resulting in the rear marker lights, brake lights, or turn signals not functioning.
The risk: Nonfunctioning lights can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: The remedy for this recall is still under development. Daimler Trucks North America, the manufacturer of the chassis began issuing owners an interim notification on October 24, 2018, and will send a second notification when parts become available. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000163.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000163View 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
17V634000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Oct 9, 2017
507 units potentially affected
The defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."
The risk: If the water capacity information is incorrect and it causes the vehicle to be over loaded, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
The remedy: TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.
Thor Motor CoachManufacturer number RC000147View 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

Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2019

WE PURCHASED A 2017 THOR PALAZZO 36.1 MOTOR HOME IN JAN 2017. SAW THAT A TRIM RING WAS PUT ON THE FLOOR OF THE REAR BATH. WE ASSUMED THIS WAS FOR ACCESS TO THE REAR DIESEL ENGINE. WE DISCOVERED THAT ALTHOUGH THE TRIM RING WAS SCREWED DOWN NO ACCESS TO THE DIESEL ENGINE WAS CUT OUT. WHEN WE CALLED THOR CUSTOMER SERVICE WE WERE TOLD THE THOR PALAZZO MODEL DID NOT HAVE SPECS FOR AN ENGINE ACCESS PANEL. WE ASKED THEN WHY A TRIM RING INSTALLED? THEY DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER TO THIS. FAST FORWARD TO FALL 2018 WE HAD A SMALL COMPRESSOR LEAK IN THE ENGINE SO TOOK TO FREIGHTLINER NW TO REPAIR. THEY SAID THE INTERIOR ENGINE ACCESS SHOULD HAVE BEEN CUT OUT AT THOR TO WORK ON ENGINE AND FOR SAFETY (FIRE OR OTHER). FREIGHT LINER NW SHOWED US A PICTURE OF UNDER THE REAR BATH WHERE THERE IS AN ACCESS PANEL. THOR JUST PUT FLOORING AND TRIM RING OVER WITHOUT CUTTING OUT ACTUAL PANEL. WROTE A REVIEW ON YELP THOR MOTOR COACH TO VOICE OUR FRUSTRATION. THOR CONTACTED US AND SAID THEY WILL APPROVE TO CUT OUT INTERIOR ENGINE ACCESS.THEY ARE ONLY APPROVING 1 1/2 HRS. OF LABOR TO DO SO NO MATERIALS. THIS WILL COST MORE TO CUT OUT BUT ADDITIONAL WILL BE AT OUR EXPENSE. WE FEEL THIS IS A NEGLECTED WILLFUL ACT IN PRODUCTION THAT CAN HAVE NOT ONLY EXPENSE BUT CAUSE POSSIBLE HARM OR WORSE TO THE CONSUMER. WE ARE HOPING THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO A RECALL TO CHECK FOR ENGINE ACCESS PANELS IN THOR MOTOR COACH DIESEL MOTOR HOME MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11185668
Incident
Nov 1, 2018
Mileage
8,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2018

LOCKING MECHANISM ON ENTRY DOOR STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. I HAD TO GO TO DEALER AND HAVE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OPEN THE DOOR. PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT IN AN EMERGENCY. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11110475
Incident
Feb 3, 2018
Mileage
10,000 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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Thor Palazzo by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019130—
2018030—
2017Viewing241—
2016540—
2015240—

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.