RoadVitals

2021 Vanleigh Beacon

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.
3
Latest May 29, 2026
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.
2
Latest Jun 29, 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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Vanleigh Beacon, most frequently naming the body & structure and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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 & structure375.0%
  • Suspension125.0%

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

2 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
21V490000

STRUCTURE:EMERGENCY:ESCAPE/EGRESS/EXIT

Jun 29, 2021
79 units potentially affected
The defect: VanLeigh RV (VanLeigh) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Vanleigh Beacon recreational vehicles. Interference from the rear ladder can prevent the rear egress window from fully opening.
The risk: In an emergency, the rear egress window cannot be used as an exit, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the egress window, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed on August 12, 2021. Owners may contact VanLeigh customer service at 1-662-612-4040.
VanLeigh RVView on NHTSA.gov
21V355000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:WATER HEATER

May 14, 2021
366 units potentially affected
The defect: VanLeigh RV (VanLeigh) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Beacon and 2019-2022 Vilano coaches. The water heater housing may not have been properly sealed, allowing gas to enter the coach.
The risk: Gas inside the coach increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will install a grommet ensuring the sleeve is facing out and use zip-ties to secure the sleeves to the gas line, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 9, 2021. Owners may contact VanLeigh customer service at 1-662-612-4040.
VanLeigh RVView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 29, 2026

The frame of my 2021 Vanleigh Beacon 39FFB fifth wheel trailer has experienced a catastrophic structural failure in the primary load-bearing area near the king pin. The frame has fractured on both sides between the king pin structure and upper deck riser in a non-welded section of the frame. This failure has allowed the king pin to displace upward more than 2 inches into the front structure of the RV. Additional structural damage includes: -Shearing of a structural fastener/bolt -Visible separation and movement of frame members under hitch load -Bent and misaligned I-beam near the suspension/equalizer area The failure directly affects the towing connection and structural integrity of the vehicle and creates a serious roadway safety hazard, including potential towing instability or possible hitch/detachment risk. The RV has not been involved in an accident and has not been knowingly overloaded. The failure appears related to a structural/load path defect involving the frame design, material integrity, and/or structural fatigue in a critical towing area. The unit is currently unsafe to tow. Manufacturers involved: -Vanleigh RV -Lippert Components Photos and supporting documentation are available showing frame fracture, structural displacement, sheared fasteners, and frame movement under load. The RV is currently located at The Resort At Canopy Oaks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11740808
Incident
Nov 16, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Mar 21, 2024

This is a 2021 Vanleigh/Tiffin Beacon 41FLB 5th wheel. Upper deck frame welds broken causing wall structure frame to break and front slide outs to come loose. Unit was still within 3 year frame and structural warranty, but Vanleigh refused warranty. $16,000 repair…but if not repaired, the frame and 5th wheel plate could have separated and caused a serious accident. This is a serious problem and Vanleigh Tiffin should pay for warranty repair.

NHTSA ID
11578784
Incident
Oct 6, 2023
Body & structure
Filed Mar 20, 2024

The front frame of the RV has failed, welds are cracked. The unit can be inspected. The frame welds hold the walls on to the RV. The frame is the major structural component that could lead to wall collapse. Symptoms of the cracks are evident only when towing, meaning failure on the highway. Problem has been confirmed by and independent repair facility. Manufacturer is aware, but has not inspected. They don't want to inspect because this is an industry wide problem. Frame failure becomes evident when hitching up and towing the RV. Side wall flexing will occur along the front overhang, fiberglass will crack, seals around front slides will pop open.

NHTSA ID
11578377
Incident
Apr 12, 2023

Manufacturer communications

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

VSB-05

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY:FIXED PANARAMIC ROOF/SKY LIGHT ASSEMBLY

It has come to our attention that some 2021 and 2022 Vilano, Pinecrest and Beacon 5th wheel RV's have skylights that are developing cracks.

VSB-04

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:PLUMBING:SEWAGE/BLACK:STORAGE TANK

Some 2021 Vilano and Beacon 5th wheel RV's were manufactured with the gate valves arranged in such a way that the black and the gray valves must be open to drain the gray tank. To correct this issue, Tiffin is asking owners to arrange to take their RV into a service center or dealer of their choice to have the plumbing of the gray tank corrected. Repair takes 7 hours and will be completed at no charge to the customer.

11-2021

EQUIPMENT

It has come to our attention that some 2021 Vilano and Beacon 5th wheel RV's were manufactured with the gate valves arranged in such a way that the black and the gray valves must be open to drain the gray tank. To correct this issue, we are asking owners to arrange to take their RV into a service center or dealer of their choice to have the plumbing of the gray tank corrected at no charge to owner.

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

Vanleigh Beacon by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022520—
2021Viewing320—
2020110—
2019220—
2018110—
2017010—
2016010—
2015010—

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.