2011 Tiffin Phaeton Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Tiffin Phaeton, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- 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.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .