RoadVitals

2003 Tiffin Phaeton

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 29, 2015
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.
3
Latest Feb 8, 2011
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton, most frequently naming the brakes, steering and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 11 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

  • Brakes133.3%
  • Steering133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
11V082000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Feb 8, 2011
10,683 units potentially affected
The defect: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
The risk: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.
The remedy: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09V443000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 17, 2009
528 units potentially affected
The defect: TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR AND 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2001, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: TIFFIN IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE BY NORCOLD. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-027. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V517000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Nov 5, 2007
11,438 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, THESE REFRIGERATORS MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TIFFIN PHAETON. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR HOME AND TOWING A VEHICLE BY THE FLAT TOW, A POTHOLE WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED SWAYED AND THE MOTOR HOME WAS UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

NHTSA ID
10787082
Incident
Jun 1, 2015
Mileage
82,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2008

THE AIR HOSES FOR THE REAR AIR BRAKES ARE PLACED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THEY RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WILL FAIL WHEN THEY RUB A HOLE IN A HOSE. WHEN THE HOSE FAILS THE REAR AIR BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I DISCOVERED THAT MINE HAD BEEN RUBBING BUT HAD NOT FAILED YET. MY MOTORHOME HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218881
Incident
Feb 21, 2008

Manufacturer communications

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

NHTSA #25E-004 (Cummins)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CSA-043 FCCC Chassis with Cummins L9 Engine Low Pressure Fuel Hose Tiffin received from Daimler Campaign # F1016; Cummins Campaign # C7111. Cummins Inc. has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain Cummins L9 engines manufactured between 8/4/23 and 12/21/23. Due to a manufacturing error on the low-pressure fuel hose end crimp fitting, the remote fuel filter hoses installed on the subject engines can become separated from the fuel fitting resulting in fuel leaks and lack of fuel supply to the engine. A fuel hose that becomes disconnected will result in as engine stall increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire. Cummins has released a field Safety Campaign C7111 to correct this condition by replacing the two subject fuel hoses with hoses having improved connector crimps. Repair parts are currently available at Cummin Distributors and authorized Warranty Dealers. Ther repair will be completed free of charge and most applications will require approximately 1 hour to complete. Until the campaign is completed, Cummins advises customer to periodically check the remote fuel filter hoses for signs of leaking, and immediately seek repairs if leaks are identified.

Letter to dealer

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This was a letter to our dealers we sent out when we first heard of the Kidde fire extinguisher recall, even though it was still unofficial. We knew our coaches on the dealers' lots contained Kidde and could not be sold unreplaced.

SB-36

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES: TSB CONTAINS NOTIFICATION OF OWNER LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. TWO SCREWS WAS NOT INSTALLED ON THE AIR CONDITION UNITS ON THE ROOF. *TA UPDATED 11/24/15. *PE

16AWG

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

RV: INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL THE CHARGE SOLENOID WIRING IN A RV OR VEHICLE. *TA

C85-C86AC

EQUIPMENT

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES: TSB CONTAINS NOTIFICATION OF OWNER LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. ALL TIFFIN MOTORHOMES WILL BE INSTALLING 2 BACK SCREWS OF THE C85 AND C86 A/C'S TO THE ROOF OF ALL TIFFIN MOTORHOMES. *TA.

WI-269

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES: EXHAUST TIP AND PIPES TO THE MUFFLER ON PHAETON MODELS NEEDS TO BE INSTALLED. *TA

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

Tiffin Phaeton by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026010—
2025110—
2024010—
2023050—
2022690—
2021370—
2020230—
2019340—
2018350—
2017120—
2016110—
2015230—
2014320—
2013020—
2012270—
20114120—
2010391—
2009181—
2008691—
2007170—
2006010—
2005151—
2004150—
2003Viewing230—
2002030—
2001130—
2000020—

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.