RoadVitals

2004 Western Alpine Coach

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.
8
Latest Jun 30, 2009
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.
1
Latest May 20, 2005
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 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Western Alpine Coach, most frequently naming the steering and body & structure categories. 1 safety recall has 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

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

1 campaign 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
05V230000

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

May 20, 2005
111 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH VEHICLE SYSTEMS' AQUA-HOT AND HYDRO-HOT WATER HEATERS, WHICH USE WEBASTO BURNER TUBES, THE BURNER TUBES DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS AND COULD FAIL PREMATURELY.
The risk: THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF THE EXHAUST TUBE EXITING FROM THE HEATER CAN INCREASE AND COULD POTENTIALLY IGNITE COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: VEHICLE SYSTEMS IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VEHICLE SYSTEMS AT 1-800-685-4298 OR WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AT 1-800-685-4298.
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Steering
Filed Jun 30, 2009

STEERING BRACKET MOVING A LOT NOT SUPPORTED PROPERLY OR BUILT CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275364
Incident
Jun 30, 2009
Mileage
24,049 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jun 20, 2009

BRACKET THAT HOLDS STEERING BOX TO FRAME FLEXES EXCESSIVELY WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10274423
Incident
Jan 20, 2009
Mileage
24,535 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed Jun 11, 2009

FAILURE: POWER STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET FLEXES EXCESSIVELY WHEN TURNING WHEELS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273570
Incident
Jul 15, 2004
Steering
Filed May 21, 2009

FAILURE: STEEL BRACKET CONNECTING POWER STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME BENDS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER OPERATING THE STEERING. OCCURRENCE:WHENEVER VEHICLE IS OPERATED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269644
Incident
May 21, 2009
Steering
Filed May 16, 2009

FAILURE: STEEL BRACKET CONNECTING POWER STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME BENDS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER OPERATING THE STEERING OCCURRENCE: WHENEVER VEHICLE IS OPERATED CORRECTION: NONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268925
Incident
May 16, 2009
Steering
Filed May 15, 2009

FAILURE: STEEL BRACKET CONNECTING POWER STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLES FRAME"S BENDS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER OPERATING THE STEERING. OCCURRENCE: WHENEVER VEHICLE IS OPERATED CORRECTION: NONE AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268864
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Steering
Filed May 14, 2009

POSSIBLE SERIOUS DEFECT IN "STEERING BRACKET". HAD UNIT INSPECTED NO CRACKS BUT NOTICEABLE FLEXING IN BRACKET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268751
Incident
May 14, 2009
Steering
Filed May 13, 2009

STEEL STEERING BRACKET THICKNESS AND DESIGN ARE INADEQUATE. WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING BOX MOUNTED TO BRACKET FLEXS IN THE BENDS EXCESSIVELY. MOST LIKELY WILL FATIGUE AND FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268685
Incident
May 13, 2009

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Western Alpine Coach by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006610—
2005163045.1
2004Viewing810—
2003010—
2002010—
2001240—
2000750—
1999230—
1998120—

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.