2020 Tiffin Phaeton Owner Complaints

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

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