RoadVitals

2013 Tiffin Zephyr

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.
1
Latest Oct 28, 2013
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 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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2013 Tiffin Zephyr, most frequently naming the body & structure, engine and steering 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

  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Engine125.0%
  • Steering125.0%
  • Visibility125.0%

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
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
12V071000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

Feb 24, 2012
181 units potentially affected
The defect: TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 BUS, AS WELL AS CERTAIN 2009-2011 AND 2013 ZEPHYR RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, PART NUMBER 2791-NN2E-001 OR 2791-NN2E-002. WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT CANCEL. ADDITIONALLY, THESE VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN INADVERTENT, MODERATE INCREASE IN VEHICLE SPEED UNTIL THE VEHICLE REACHES ITS GOVERNED SPEED AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL IS SET.
The risk: A DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE REDUCED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IF EITHER THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO CANCEL THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASES AND THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE INCREASED SPEED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: THE VEHICLES WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
12V048000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Feb 8, 2012
13 units potentially affected
The defect: TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, 2012, AND 2013 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS PHAETON AND ZEPHYR, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
The remedy: TIFFINS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFINS AT 256-356-8661.
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureEngineSteering+1 more
Filed Oct 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TIFFIN ZEPHYR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE SLIDE OUT SECTION INDEPENDENTLY OPENED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,200. UPDATED 11/14/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RV WAS SENT TO THE FACTORY THREE(3) TIMES AND NONE OF THE REPAIRS WERE FIXED. UPDATED 11/25/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10549756
Incident
Sep 15, 2012
Mileage
2,300 mi

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-267

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

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES: INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO INSTALL AND SECURE ALL THE EXHAUST PIPES ON ALL ZEPHYR VEHICLES. *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 Zephyr by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027010—
2026010—
2025020—
2024020—
2023030—
2022050—
2021020—
2020030—
2019050—
2018060—
2017020—
2015010—
2014020—
2013Viewing130—
2012010—
2011040—
2010060—
2009060—
2008140—
2007050—
2006020—
2005061—
2003030—
2002130—
2001230—
2000030—
1999020—

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.