RoadVitals

2011 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.
4
Latest Feb 8, 2022
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.
12
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.
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.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Tiffin Phaeton, most frequently naming the engine and tires & wheels categories. 12 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 12 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

  • Engine250.0%
  • Tires & wheels250.0%

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

12 campaigns cover this model year

View all 12

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Feb 8, 2022
Crash reported2 injuries reported

The contact owned a 2011 Tiffin Phaeton motorhome equipped with Michelin tires, Tire line: Green X, Tire size: 275/80R22.5, and DOT number: M5EJOOEX3815. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the front passenger's side tire had a blowout, which caused the RV to crash into a utility pole, trees, and then stop after crashing into a fence. The contact and his wife, who was a passenger, were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact had a scratch above his eye, while his wife suffered three broken ribs, bruised, and stitches on her arms and legs. A police report was filed. The RV was hauling a double-decker trailer, a 2017 Lincoln MKZ, and a Boston Whaler, which were towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the rear passenger's side tire had a blowout and the manufacturer covered half the cost of replacement.

NHTSA ID
11450924
Incident
Feb 8, 2022
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 16, 2014

MICHELIN XZA3 275 80 R22.5 EXHIBITING SIDE WALL CRACKING, AND THE APPEARANCE OF CROSS HATCH PATTERN ON THE SIDE WALLS. DOT M5 EJ BVNX 1810. TIRES IN USE ON A 2011 TIFFIN MOTORHOME AND HAVE 18100 MILES ON THEM. MICHELIN LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND WILL REPLACE THEM OFFERING A 43% ADJUSTMENT WHICH IN REALITY IS CLOSER TO A 25% ADJUSTMENT BASED ON WHAT THE TIRES CAN BE PURCHASED FOR VS MSRP. THESE TIRES PRESENT A POTENTIAL FOR SIDEWALL FAILURE. I BELIEVE MICHELIN SHOULD BE MORE PRO ACTIVE IN ADDRESSING WHAT IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES IN RV USE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10598627
Incident
Jun 15, 2014
Mileage
18,100 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 27, 2013

THE MOTOR HOME MANUFACTURER IS TIFFIN MOTOR HOMES, RED BAY ALABAMA, THE COACH IS BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS BUILT BY FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE PROBLEM IS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE COACH PRODUCING A STRONG DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES ODOR AND PROBABLY CARBON MONOXIDE. OUR RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM INDICATES THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE COACH DURING THE REGENERATION CYCLE . WE BELIEVE THERE ARE TWO ISSUES INVOLVED. #1 THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE TURBOCHARGER AND THE DEF CATALYST SYSTEM. (WE BELIEVE THIS IS A FREIGHTLINER PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY BUILT THE ENGINE, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CHASSIS). #2 THERE ARE LEAKS IN THE FLOOR, SIDEWALLS, COMPARTMENT OPENINGS OR ACCESS PANELS ALLOWING THE FUMES TO ENTER THE COACH. (WE BELIEVE THIS IS A TIFFIN MOTOR HOME PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY BUILT THE COACH). WE WILL ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE BOTH ISSUES WITH A VISIT TO TIFFIN AND FREIGHTLINER. WE ARE CONCERNED FROM A HEALTH AND SAFETY POINT OF VIEW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10545631
Incident
Sep 12, 2012
Mileage
6,500 mi
Engine
Filed May 15, 2013
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING ON I-68 WEST BOUND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, ABOUT MILE MAKER 67 NOTICE A WOOD BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE IN REAR OF MOTOR HOME. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AT EXIT 68. WENT TO REAR OF MOTOR HOME AND SAW FIRE THRU REAR HATCH ON DRIVER SIDE AROUND ENGINE BY EXHAUST. CALLED 911, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED BUT MOTOR HOME WAS A TOTALLY LOSE. ALSO RECALL WAS DONE ON 08-22-2011, MILEAGE AT RECALL WAS 6125 MILES. MAY RELATE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V416000 COMPONENT ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING AND EXHAUST PIPE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10512094
Incident
May 3, 2013
Mileage
15,211 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—
2011Viewing4120—
2010391—
2009181—
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.