What Thor Motor Coach Challenger owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Thor Motor Coach Challenger safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2016 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Thor Motor Coach Challenger complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The RV mirrors. Rattles so much. That is very hard to see anything on the roadway. See attached copy of Auto accident. It happened due to blurred vision from the right mirror. Dealership. Attempted repair was brought back to manufacture in Indiana. Manufacturer failed to repair.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding Recall #21V-522 (NHTSA Campaign No. 21V-522) involving Lippert/Hehr windows. I own a 2019 Thor Motor Coach Challenger motorhome manufactured on 9/2018, which contains Lippert/Hehr windows that are exhibiting the same safety defect identified in this recall. Specifically, the adhesive bond between the glass and its supporting frame/rail has failed, causing partial detachment of the glass panel. While Lippert has stated that my windows are not covered because they were manufactured just prior to the official recall window, and that the defect is not a âseal failureâ but rather a ârail detachment,â the functional hazard …
The Receiver Hitch manufactured by Lippert Components part #360-231 and install by Thor and standard equipment failed in use and almost lost towed vehicle on Interstate Highway. Receiver Hitch broke completely on one side and only had 25% still holding on other side when excessive swerving of towed car and noise of dragging tow bar made driver stop. Towed car weight was half of stated hitch rating so there was no expectation of failure of this nature. Researching failure after incident found many similar reports on Thor related forums and a recent NHTSA recall 23V-351 for similar Lippert hitch.
The contact owns a 2014 Thor Challenger RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH in a heavy rainstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that during the failure, the windshield wiper setting was set to high speed; however, the windshield wiper module failed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the RV was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V162000 (Visibility). The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Unloading the storage compartments and discovered that the compartment wall was melted. It is directly next to, about 6 inches away from, the exhaust pipe.
The contact owns a 2015 Thor Challenger RV built on a 2014 Ford F-53 chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, he observed from the passenger side rear view mirror that the door skin had begun to peel away from the door. The contact pulled off the roadway and observed that the skin had delaminated from the door and had only been held in place by the lock and door handle. The contact took the door handle and lock mechanism off and removed the laminate and stored it in the RV. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had attempted to contact the manufacturer and left a voice message requesting a call back. …
Exhaust has blown (melted) a hole in the storage bin no heat shield was placed. The bin next to it has a heat shield.
My 2017 THOR Challenger was part of NHTSA recall 21V-845. I made repairs to my coach in 2017 and 2018 totaling $4600. I have sent THOR all pictures and receipts from those repairs. I started the process in March 2022. Last week they informed me it is not a Thor recall, and I would have to deal with the company that manufactured the doors for them. I have included recent correspondence with them. I can, if you request, send all my receipt and pictures for the repairs that i had done. I wish to file a formal complaint for the disregard of NHTSA recall 21V-845. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The deal…
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) has been made aware of several incidents involving trailer hitch receivers installed on motorhomes, similar to yours. These issues were caused by the use of drop hitches and hitch extensions that placed higher-than-expected forces on the hitch receiver assembly. If you use your motorhome to tow, please follow the recommended instructions in your ownerâs manual. THE USE OF DROP HITCHES AND/OR HITCH EXTENSIONS WHILE TOWING WILL PLACE LARGER STRESSES ON THE HITCH AND CAN LEAD TO FAILURE. TMC is requesting that you inspect your motorhomeâs hitch receiver at your earlie
On your vehicle, the rear axle may contain an inadequate volume of lubricating oil. An inadequate volume of rear axle lubricant may result in rear wheel bearing damage potentially leading to bearing seizure. Bearing seizure may lead to rear axle or driveshaft failure. A rear axle or driveshaft failure may result in loss of vehicle motive power, loss of transmission park function, and loss of parking brake function, increasing the risk of a crash. This affects the following Thor Motor Coach products: model year 2021/2022 Ace, Challenger, Freedom Traveler, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, and Wi
This letter stated that there were no Service Bulletins or Technical Service Bulletins issued for the month of November, 2019.
This letter stated that there was one (1) Service Notification issued for the month of October, 2017.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation, PE24023, on August 14, 2024, to investigate allegations of Thor Motor Coach motorhome frame or trailer hitch structure cracking and separating. The hitch was manufactured by Lippert and installed by Thor as standard original equipment. ODI received eight Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) describing the hitch structure cracking. If not caught in time, a cracked hitch can fully fracture and separate from the vehicle. O
On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles. The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2023, owners most often name: visibility/wiper, structure, visibility. 33 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.