RoadVitals

2020 Tiffin Phaeton Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
2
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2020 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

  • 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.

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 5, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 16, 2023

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

Data on this page last refreshed .