RoadVitals

2009 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.
1
Latest Oct 5, 2012
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.
8
Latest Dec 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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2009 Tiffin Phaeton, most frequently naming the visibility category. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 10 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

  • Visibility1100.0%

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

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

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
17V841000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 22, 2017
36,005 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Allegro and Allegro RED, Bus and Phaeton vehicles, 2009-2010 Bay vehicles, 2011-2018 Breeze vehicles, and 2009-2015, and 2017-2018 Zephyr vehicles. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that 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: Tiffin will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact 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. Owners may also contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
16V532000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Jul 13, 2016
10,351 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr motorhomes, 2007-2010 Allegro Bay motorhomes, and 2010-2011 Allegro Breeze motorhomes. The windshield wiper arms on the affected vehicles may break off.
The risk: If the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper blade arms, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for this recall is TIFF-100.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.Manufacturer number TIFF-100View on NHTSA.gov
15V880000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Dec 28, 2015
14,889 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may become unstable.
The risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE16004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Loss of Windshield Wiper Function

Opened Apr 13, 2016
Closed Sep 3, 2016

Based on two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) alleging windshield wiper failures at the pivot assembly on Phaeton model Motorhomes, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE).During the investigation Tiffin made ODI aware of 66 warranty claims for wiper failures and also informed ODI of a design change to the wiper motor. Based on the VOQ received by ODI, the vehicles subject to this investigation were 2008 MY Tiffin Phaeton Motorhomes.During the investigation Tiffin identified additional models that used the same subject windshield wiper components.The additional models include 2007-2011 MY Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr, 2007-2010 MY Allegro Bay and 2010-2011 MY Allegro Breeze motorhomes.As part of the investigation, fleet operators, professional drivers, law enforcement personal, engineers from the Vehicle Research Test Center and complainants were interviewed.ODI leveraged these interviews to demonstrate that the wiper failures represented a safety defect.Tiffin concurred and during the PE process decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall (16V-532).Tiffin found that if the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.The Tiffin recall was received prior to the required response date of an Information Request (IR) letter ODI had sent them.As a result, there is no manufacturer IR response on record.This investigation is closed with Safety Recall (16V-532).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 10522553, 10478772.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGESLed to recall 16V532000

Recent owner complaints

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

Visibility
Filed Oct 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TIFFIN PHAETON RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH IN A RAIN STORM, BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPER BRACKETS BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT PURCHASES TWO NEW ARM ASSEMBLIES TO REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD BRACKETS HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. UPDATED 11/28/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10478772
Incident
Sep 24, 2012
Mileage
29,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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

WI-196

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES: TSB CONTAINS NOTIFICATION OF OWNER LETTER. SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON BELOW. SOME TIFFIN MOTORHOMES NEED DRIVER/PASSENGER SEATBELTS TIGHTENED ON THE MOUNTING BRACKETS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER/PASSENGER SIDEWALL. *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—
2009Viewing181—
2008691—
2007170—
2006010—
2005151—
2004150—
2003230—
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.