2021 Tiffin Phaeton

The electric step on our coach broken on the road with the gear box issue and get loose , it is very dangerous to run with the electric step open to get people injured and also for the people that disembarked from the motor home, we feel that electrical step should have a safety when it is close .

NHTSA ID

11572012

Incident

Oct 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Tiffin Phaeton Motorhome. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the instrument cluster went black and was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with loose wiring. The dealer repaired the vehicle on six separate occasions; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

NHTSA ID

11443131

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

6,000 mi

UPON PURCHASING THIS 2021 TIFFIN PHAETON RV, I REALIZED THE "A PILLARS" CAUSED MIRROR AND VISUAL OBSTRUCTION. INITIALLY BELIEVING IT WAS A MIRROR ADJUSTMENT, I LEARNED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT WAS NOT CENTERED ON THE STEERING WHEEL / DASHBOARD AND IT WAS POSITIONED TO THE LEFT APPROX. 2"-3". NOT ONLY DOES THIS PREVENT A CLEAR VIEW TO THE MIRRORS, BUT IT CAUSES "PEDAL CONFUSION" AND COULD RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC COLLISION RESULTING IN A FATAL(S) THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS ARE APPROX. 3". HAVING THE DRIVER NOT CENTERED ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING COLUMN CREATES SEVERAL SAFETY ISSUES. WHEN SPEAKING WITH TIFFIN REPRESENTATIVE (JEREMY NEWELL), HE STATED THE DRIVER SEAT POSITION WAS AN ISSUE IN 2020 AND THEY MANUFACTURED A BASE PLATE TO SHIFT THE SEAT OVER TO CENTER IT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND DASHBOARD. THIS ALSO POSITIONED THE DRIVER SEAT CORRECTLY OVER THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS THUS PREVENTING "PEDAL CONFUSION". GREG DEES (REGIONAL DIRECTOR) AT TIFFIN ADVISED NHTSA HAS APPROVED THIS SEATED POSITION AND THAT THE "LEGAL TEAM" AT TIFFIN ADVISED THEY SHOULD NOT MANUFACTURE A NEW SEAT BASEPLATE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF THE DRIVER. I ADVISED DEES THEY DID THIS FOR 2020 RV'S AND ASKED WHY WOULDN'T THEY CORRECT THE ISSUE IN MANUFACTURING FOR THE 2021 RV'S? DEES ADMITTED THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES, BUT FOR SOME REASON WON'T ADDRESS THE 2021 RV BECAUSE THEY USED A NEW MANUFACTURE FOR THE SEAT POST ("VILLA") INSTEAD OF FREIGHTLINER. I HAVE EXPRESSED MY CONCERNS WITH TIFFIN WITHOUT ANY SATISFACTION AND AM NOW SEEKING THE ASSISTANCE FROM NHTSA AS WELL AS THE FTC. IT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT THAT THIS ISSUE SHOULD EVEN MAKE IT THROUGH AN INSPECTION UPON COMING OFF THE MANUFACTURE LINE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED FOR EVERY OTHER 2021 TIFFIN OWNER. I HAVE INCLUDED 5 PHOTOS USING A STEEL RULER.

NHTSA ID

11374914

Incident

Oct 2, 2020

Mileage

2,752 mi

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."

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.

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.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC), has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on certain model years 2017-2022 Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation XCM, XCP, XCR, and XCS vehicles manufactured December 15, 2015, through July 22, 2021. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may display incorrect information, such as maximum temperature and tire pressure, and/or a message that the tires are under or over-inflated. The information displayed by the TPMS may misinform or confuse the driver, increasing the risk of a crash. The TPMS controller will be updated with new software, and certain units will receive a longer antenna mounting bracket to extend the rear antenna downward. Repairs will be performed, at no charge, by DTNA authorized service facilities.

FCCC XC Valor Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) - Daimler states that on certain vehicles and under certain circumstances, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may display incorrect information such as maximum temperature and tire pressure, and /or a message that the tries are under or over-inflated. The TPMS controller will be updated with new software, and certain units will require a longer antenna mounting bracket to extend the rear antenna downward.

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.