RoadVitals

1998 Western Alpenlite

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.
2
Latest Jul 1, 2003
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 Mar 21, 2007
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Western Alpenlite, most frequently naming the other / unspecified category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Other / unspecified2100.0%

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
07V121000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 21, 2007
6,188 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, TRUCK CAMPERS, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
The risk: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: WESTERN RV WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR WESTERN RV AT 1-866-567-4133.
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
02V017000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Jan 15, 2002
The defect: CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS AND TRUCK CAMPERS EQUIPPED WITH MODEL HP 6000 AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER REGULATORS. THESE REGULATORS CONTAIN TWO RUBBER DIAPHRAGMS IN WHICH THE SECOND DIAPHRAGM CAN TEAR UNDER PRESSURE RESULTING IN A PROPANE LEAK.
The risk: A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN RESULT IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
The remedy: EMERALD ISLE (FOR GRAND HALL) WILL BE CONDUCTING THE REMEDY CAMPAIGN. A REVISED REGULATOR WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS ARE BEING REQUESTED TO INSPECT THE GAS REGULATOR FOR THE FOLLOWING IDENTIFYING MARKS: MODEL 6000, P1.0 - 15.6, Q6.R280, AUTOMATIC CHANGEOVER BY H.P. INC. IF THESE ARE ON THE GAS REGULATORS, OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT EMERALD ISLE TOLL-FREE AT 866-828-2788.
WESTERN RV, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V358001

SUSPENSION

Nov 3, 2000
2 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES THAT WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A BEARING OPTION KNOWN AS NEV-R-LUBE. THE OPTIONAL HUB UTILIZES A SEALED CARTRIDGE BEARING WHICH IS HELD IN PLACE WITH A RETAINING RING THAT PREVENTS THE HUB FROM SHIFTING ON THE BEARING. SOME OF THESE AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT THE RETAINING RING.
The risk: THE ABSENCE OF THE RETAINING RING CAN ALLOW THE HUB TO SHIFT INWARD AND MAY RESULT IN BRAKE INTERFERENCE OR TIRE CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE. BRAKING PROBLEMS CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TIRE CONTACT TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE CAN RESULT IN OVERHEATING AND POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE OR CAUSE THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT.
The remedy: DEXTER AXLE WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED AXLES FREE OF CHARGE.
WESTERN RV, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 1, 2003

CONSUMER'S SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT PROVIDE A LADDER NEEDED TO ACCESS THE MOTORHOME'S ROOF. THIS IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE COACH'S AIR CONDITIONING AND OTHER ROOF COMPONENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL. CONSUMER PURCHASED A FIBERGLASS TO ACCESS ROOF, BUT WHEN PLACED AGAINST THE FIBERGLASS COACH IT ROCKS CAUSING CONSUMER TO BE THROWN FROM LADDER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026327
Other / unspecified
Filed Sep 16, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THE RIM RIPPED APART LEAVING THE WHEEL IN ONE PIECE AND THE CENTER OF THE RIM STILL ATTACHED TO THE AXLE. A FEW DAYS LATER THEY FOUND A TIRE WITH A SLOW LEAK. CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS NOT THE TIRE BUT A SPLIT IN THE RIM AND AIR WAS LEAKING. *SCC

NHTSA ID
567470
Incident
Jun 12, 2002

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Western Alpenlite by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008400—
2007200—
2006020—
2005400—
2003010—
2002210—
2001030—
2000120—
1999330—
1998Viewing230—
1997020—
1996010—
1995110—
1990010—
1989010—

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.