RoadVitals

2005 Western Avalanche

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 Dec 2, 2005
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 Jun 2, 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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2005 Western Avalanche, most frequently naming the tires & wheels category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Tires & wheels1100.0%

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
05V250000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jun 2, 2005
89 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VANSCO VMM 2820 MODULES, THE MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF ALL OPERATIONAL FUNCTION.
The risk: A FAILURE OF THE MODULE WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF ENGINE OPERATION. SHOULD THIS OCCUR WHILE THE COACH IS BEING DRIVEN, THE COACH WOULD HAVE TO BE COASTED TO A STOP WITHOUT POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AT 1-509-853-2940.
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.Manufacturer number CSAR 1056View 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
04V372000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Jul 27, 2004
78 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VANSCO VMM 2820 MODULES, THE MODULE COULD EXPERIENCE AN INCORRECT FAULT INDICATION ON ITS BI-DIRECTIONAL OUPUTS (19 AND 20).
The risk: DURING THIS FAULT CONDITION, THERE MAY BE A LOSS OF OPERATION OF THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) LIGHT, THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY NOT ENGAGE, OR THE ALTERNATOR MAY NOT CHARGE THE HOUSE BATTERIES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE MODULES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WESTERN RV AT 1-866-567-4133.
WESTERN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, INC.Manufacturer number CSAR 1053View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 2, 2005

I HAVE 4 GOODYEAR MARATHON RADIAL TIRES (ST235/80R16) ON MY 2005 ALPINELITE 32 FOOT 5TH WHEEL. WHILE TRAVELING ON I-10 IN VAN HORN TX, I STOPPED FOR FUEL. I NOTICED A 8" DIA BY 4" BUBBLE ON EXTERIOR SIDE WALL. I FOUND A KOA IN TOWN, AND AFTER I GOT IN PLACE I CALLED TRIPPLE A FOR A TIRE CHANGE SERVICE CALL. I USED MY SPARE OF SAME BRAND, MAKE AND SIZE THAT CAME WITH RV. I HAVE MARKED BUBBLE ON THE TIRE AND WILL BE LOOKING FOR GOODYEAR DEALERSHIP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10144346
Incident
Dec 2, 2005

Manufacturer communications

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

1056

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DETERMINED BY VANSCO-ELECTRONIC LP, THAT THE VMM 2820 MODULE USED IN CERTAIN 2005 AND 2006 ALPINE COACH LIMITED AND AVALANCHE MAY EXPERIENCE FAILURE OF OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS. *SC

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

Western Avalanche by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2006020—
2005Viewing130—
2004010—

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.