RoadVitals

2012 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 Nov 2, 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.
7
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Tiffin Phaeton, most frequently naming the engine category. 7 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

  • Engine2100.0%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
17V121000

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

Feb 27, 2017
35 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2012 Phaeton motorhomes with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH, built on PowerGlide chassis. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.
The risk: Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.
The remedy: Tiffin will notify owner, and dealers will reconfigure the exhaust to provide extra clearance, free of charge. The recall began on March 22, 2017. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for the recall is TIF-106.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.Manufacturer number TIF-106View 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

Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2022

This vehicle like many thousands has a DEF system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid in addition to Diesel fuel. This POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME, Installed by both Freight Liner and Cummins diesel, when it fails, it orverides all engine speed controls and only allows the vehicle to drive at 5 mph. THIS IS UNSAFE, DARK, HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH LARGE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS, BUS'S, PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS RUNNING AT 70- TO 90 MPH coming up on a 5 MPH vehicle presents a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR HUMAN BEINGS, CHILDREN, AND ALL OTHERS AND IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT IT IS ALLOWED AND IT IS FORCED ONTO ALL DIESEL POWERED MOTOR HOMES AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES. DO WE HAVE ANY REAL SAFETY PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING PAID TO MAKE OUR VEHICLES AND ROADS SAFE, THAT GIVE A DAMN. THIS SPEED CONTROL LIMIT IS A TERRIBLE WAY TO ENFORCE A POLLUTION CONTROLS SYSTEM ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WILL ANYONE HAVE THE BACKBONE TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE, DUMB, SYSTEM, ANYONE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, Nov. 1, 2022 NEAR VERO BEACH, FLORIDA IN MY DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME. I AM MAD AS HELL, AND ALL OF YOU SHOULD FIX THIS INSANE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11491959
Incident
Nov 1, 2022
Engine
Filed Sep 12, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TIFFEN PHAETON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ID
10543275
Incident
Sep 3, 2012

Manufacturer communications

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

MCD-009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Stopped using the lights we had been using due to expense. Replaced with these, but these new lights have to be wired in instead of just clicking in. These are the instructions to wire in.

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—
2012Viewing270—
20114120—
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.