RoadVitals

2007 Western Alpine

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.
9
Latest Jul 6, 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.
2
Latest Jan 9, 2008
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 9 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Western Alpine, most frequently naming the steering category. 2 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

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
08V005000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jan 9, 2008
85 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH ATWOOD SEALED BURNER RANGES, THE RANGE AND SLIDE-IN BURNER TUBES LEADING FROM THE GAS MANIFOLD TO THE BURNER HEADS HAD A DEPRESSION OR "KINK" IN THE EXTERIOR BEND RESTRICTING PROPER AIRFLOW AND GAS MIXTURE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.
The remedy: WESTERN RV IS WORKING WITH ATWOOD TO HAVE THE TUBES REPLACED ON THESE RANGES (PLEASE SEE 07E030). THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ATWOOD AT 1-800-348-7418 OR WESTERN RV AT 1-509-457-4133.
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V313000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

Jul 20, 2007
58 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL CM850 DIESEL ENGINES, THE CONNECTING ROD CONTAINS A MACHINING DEFECT IN THE WRIST PIN BUSHING OF THE ROD THAT COULD CAUSE A SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN.
The risk: IF ALLOWED TO PROGRESS, THIS CAN LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ROD RUPTURING THE LOCK CAVITY, OIL AND DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY AND VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: WESTERN RV IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO RECALIBRATE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND ENHANCE THE ENGINE PROTECTION SYSTEM ENABLING IT TO PROVIDE EARLY DETECTION OF THE FAILURE MODE AND AVOID MORE SERIOUS ENGINE DAMAGE AND RESULTANT SAFETY HAZARD. CUMMINS WILL ALSO INSTALL A NEW VALVE COVER WITH A CRANKCASE PRESSURE SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07E033).
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 9
Steering
Filed Jul 6, 2009

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

NHTSA ID
10275854
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Mileage
9,700 mi
Steering
Filed May 21, 2009

I HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY RV, A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER POSITION KEPT CHANGING POSITION AND MOVEMENT IN THE WIND. WHEN I TOOK MY RV IN TO A SHOP FOR ALIGNMENT AND CHECK FOR THESE PROBLEMS, THEY FOUND THE STEERING BOX MOUNTING BRACKET FLEXED AN UNSAFE AMOUNT AND A SMALL CRACK HAD ALREADY FORMED ON THE REAR UPPER PORTION. I TOOK IT TO A TRUCK REPAIR, WE FOUND THAT THE INTERNAL BRACE FOR THE MOUNTING BRACKET WAS NOT WELDED EVERY WHERE IT SHOULD BE. THEY WELDED THE INTERNAL BRACE AND THE CRACK AND AN ADDITIONAL BRACE INSTALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269659
Incident
Dec 5, 2008
Mileage
12,279 mi
Steering
Filed May 18, 2009

THE BRACKET SUPPORTING THE STEERING BOX SHOWS SIGNIFICANT FLEX WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. I AM AFRAID THAT CRACKING AND SUBSEQUENT FRACTURE WILL EVENTUALLY OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269273
Incident
May 18, 2009
Steering
Filed May 17, 2009

FAILURE: STEEL BRACKET CONNECTING THE POWER STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE'S FRAME BENDS EXCESSIVELY WHENEVER STEERING. THIS OCCURS WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED. NO CORRECTION HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME AS THE MANUFACTURER IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268968
Incident
May 17, 2009
Mileage
11,450 mi
Steering
Filed May 16, 2009

STEERING BRACKET FLEX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268907
Incident
May 16, 2009
Mileage
9,615 mi
Steering
Filed May 15, 2009

FAILURE: STEEL MOUNTING 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
10268876
Incident
May 11, 2009
Steering
Filed May 11, 2009

WESTERN RV INSTALLED AN INADEQUATE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STEERING BOX IN OUR 2007 ALPINE MOTOR COACH. IT IS THE OPINION OF SERVICE TECH'S THAT THIS BRACKET WILL FAIL AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME DUE TO STRESS FRACTURES, POSING A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268444
Incident
May 11, 2009
Mileage
25,400 mi
Steering
Filed May 5, 2009

WE HAVE DISCOVERED A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT PERTAINS TO ALL LATE MODEL ALPINE COACH MOTORHOMES, MANUFACTURED BY WESTERN RV OF YAKIMA WASHINGTON. THE MANUFACTURER IS ONE OF MANY THAT IS NOW OUT OF BUSINESS, SO A RECALL THROUGH ORDINARY CHANNELS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM AFFECTS AN INADEQUATE MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE STEERING BOX THAT RESULTS IN SEVERE SWAY AND STRESS ON THE MOUNTING BRACKET. WE HAVE BOTH VIDEO EXAMPLES, AND EMAIL REPORTS FROM MANY ALPINE OWNERS THAT SUBSTANTIATE THE SCOPE AND SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY NO ONE IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS OF PRESENTING THIS ISSUE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND I AM DOING SO WITH THIS SUBMISSION. THIS HAS NOT TO DATE RESULTED, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, OF AN ACTUAL ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO LIFE OR PROPERTY. BUT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS IS LIKELY TO OCCUR, ABSENT YOUR INTERVENTION INTO THIS SITUATION. BY WAY OF BACKGROUND, I AM A FORMER CORPORATE ATTORNEY, AND A FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. I'M CERTAIN YOU RECEIVE MANY UNMERITORIOUS REPORTS OF SAFETY ISSUES, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE YOU THIS DEFINITELY DESERVES YOU FURTHER CONSIDERATION. IF YOU CAN ADVISE WHERE I CAN SEND DOCUMENTED EVIDENCE OF THIS PROBLEM (LIKELY AFFECTING SOME HUNDREDS OF MOTORHOMES), I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO. THIS WOULD SEEM TO BE RIGHT ON TARGET WITH YOUR RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES INVOLVING MOTORHOMES. YOUR GUIDANCE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. TOM GONSER *TR

NHTSA ID
10267793
Incident
May 1, 2009
Mileage
22,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Western Alpine by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007Viewing920—
2006210—
2004300—
2003011—
2002011—
2001101—
2000501—
1999011—
1998001—
1991010—
1990010—

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.