RoadVitals

2020 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 Feb 16, 2023
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 Nov 5, 2021
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 2020 Tiffin Phaeton, most frequently naming the engine and exterior lighting categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Engine150.0%
  • Exterior lighting150.0%

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

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
21V680000

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE

Nov 5, 2021
10,409 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Allegro Breeze, Allegro Red, Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and 2018-2021 Zephyr recreational vehicles. The sofa seat belts may not have been installed correctly, which could result in unsecured passengers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
The risk: Unsecured passengers have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 29, 2021. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for this recall is TIF-118.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.Manufacturer number TIF-118View on NHTSA.gov
21V306000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Apr 30, 2021
3,198 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Bus and Phaeton vehicles. The sealing washer may not seat correctly in the pilot bore, allowing the high pressure fuel rail assembly to leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Tiffin will work with Cummins to inspect the rail threads , and replace the rail and fuel lines if damage is found, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 11, 2021. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.Manufacturer number TIF-116View on NHTSA.gov
20V534000

STEERING

Sep 2, 2020
8 units potentially affected
The defect: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2020 Bus and Phaeton motorhomes. The steering pinch bolts may not have been properly tightened.
The risk: A loose steering pinch bolt can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the steering bolts to specification, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2020. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service 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

Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 16, 2023

I recently purchased this motorhome used. Today, I discovered that the bulbs for both front turn signal lights are missing. Normally, if a bulb burns out, you have the old one to match when searching for a repacement. However, my MH has no bulbs installed at all. I discussed this problem on the phone with the Manufacturer today. Tiffin is unwilling or unable to provide any information on replacement bulbs. They could neither provide me with a part number so I could buy one locally nor would they sell me a replacement bulb. So, I have no way to make this vehicle comply with lighting requirements. It seems to me that for safety related items such as this, OEM's should be required to provide necessary information to consumers so that they can keep the vehicle in compliance with safety requirements. I believe this issue probably affects all MY 2020 - 2023 Tiffin Phaeton motorhomes.

NHTSA ID
11507684
Incident
Feb 16, 2023
Engine
Filed May 5, 2021

THE EPA CAME OUT WITH REQUIREMENTS IN 2013 THAT ALL DIESEL ENGINES HAVE A POLLUTION MITIGATING DEF (DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID) SYSTEM. APPARENTLY, THE EPA REQUIRED THE INDUSTRY TO MEASURE THE FOLLOWING THREE ITEMS WITH RESPECT TO BLUE DEF. - LEVEL OF DEF - TEMPERATURE OF DEF - QUALITY OF DEF I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE EPA GRANTED AN EXTENSION OF THE THIRD REQUIREMENT, QUALITY OF DEF, SINCE NO ONE COULD MANUFACTURE THE EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO DO SO. THIS EXTENSION APPARENTLY LASTED UNTIL 2017. THESE DEF SENSORS BEING INSTALLED ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING RATE, MANY WITHIN ONLY A FEW MILES. WHEN DEF SENSORS FAIL THE ENGINE CAN GO INTO DERATE MODE WHICH IS 5 MPH. THIS PROBLEM IS LEAVING MANY LARGE DIESEL ENGINE OWNED VEHICLES STRANDED, FROM MOTORHOMES TO LARGE OVER THE ROAD TRUCKS. CURRENTLY, THE ONLY COMPANY THAT MAKES THE DEF SENSORS IS SHAW DEVELOPMENT. SHAW DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT TAKE CALLS OR EMAILS REQUESTING INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. AGAIN, THE DEF SENSOR REQUIREMENT WAS A REGULATION PASSED BY EPA IN 2013, STATING THE DEF CONCENTRATION (QUALITY) BE MEASURED IN THE DEF TANKS OF VEHICLES. HOWEVER, THE DEF SENSOR MANUFACTURERS CANNOT SEEM TO MANUFACTURE A PART THAT IS RELIABLE AND NOT PUT ENGINE INTO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DERATE MODE. SHAW DEVELOPMENT IS CURRENTLY ON THE SIXTH GENERATION OF THE DEF SENSOR WHICH ARE STILL FAILING ON BRAND NEW 2021 VEHICLES. THAT IS SIX ATTEMPTS TO MAKE A PART THAT CONTINUES TO LEAVE PEOPLE STRANDED. I HAVE NO ARGUMENT WITH THE NEED FOR THIS SMOG REDUCING MITIGATION EQUIPMENT. WHAT I DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH, IS THE EPA REQUIREMENT TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF DEF WHEN NO ONE CAN PRODUCE A RELIABLE PRODUCT TO DO SO, AND THE EFFECT THAT IT IS HAVING ON THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU REQUEST THE EPA TO SUSPEND THIS REQUIREMENT UNTIL SOMEONE CAN PRODUCE A RELIABLE PRODUCT TO MEASURE THE QUALITY OF DEF.

NHTSA ID
11415275
Incident
May 1, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

CSA-045

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Tiffin sent out an addendum to be added to Owner's Manuals that states, "Tiffin Motorhomes recommends that all diesel units be refueled using standard automotive-grade diesel fuel pumps, rather than high-flow commercial truck stop pumps. The fuel delivery rate from commercial truck stop pumps is often too aggressive for motorhome fuel systems, which are not designed to handle rapid fuel intake. Using high-flow commercial truck stop pumps can result in overflow, spillage, premature shutoff, or even damage to the fuel fill components."

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.

CSA-036

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Faulty DEF sensors that due to shortage were not replaced. Instead engine software was temporarily modified to account for continued operation with a faulty sensor until replacement sensors were available. This campaign will install an engine control module calibration as well as confirm and/or install a new DEF header.

CSA-11

TIRES; WHEELS

Tiffin Motorhomes was notified by Daimler Trucks North America on behalf of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation of a defect that exists on specific model year 2017 - 2022 Freightliner Custom Chassis X-Line chassis manufactured February 20, 2017 through November 18, 2021 that are equipped with a valve stem extension and stabilizer configured with a specific tire valve stem and wheel combination. Tiffin Motorhomes built motorhomes on these specific Freightliner chassis between April, 2017 through December 6, 2021. Certain chassis may have been built with the tire valve stem extension for the inner wheel contacting the outer wheel rim opening, potentially damaging the valve stem resulting in a loss of air pressure in the inner tire. A loss of air pressure in the inner tire on a motorhome with a single drive axle may overload the outer tire and increase the risk of a crash.

CSA-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Tiffin mailed out a Customer Service Advisory on a Daimler Field Service Campaign (SF637) as a curtesy. The subject is FCCC Viper Low Voltage Display.

CSA-009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FCCC Motorhome Chassis Rear PDM’s FL-856

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—
2020Viewing230—
2019340—
2018350—
2017120—
2016110—
2015230—
2014320—
2013020—
2012270—
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.