Coachmen Santara problems & recalls

Problem: Coachmen is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 chaparral, model year 2004-2006 somerset, model year 2007-2008 wyoming, model year 2004-2005 santara, and model year 2004-2006 sportscoach elite motor homes and fifth wheel trailers manufactured from october 2003, through september 2007. these vehicles are equipped with dimplex electraflame, symphony, or optiflame branded electric fireplaces, stoves, and fireplace inserts. the plug in remote control receiver for the fireplace can overheat.

Risk: An overheated receiver could cause a fire.

Fix: Coachmen is working with dimplex to identify and notify any affected owners. dimplex will provide owners a free replacement plug-in remote control kit. the safety recall began on february 21, 2011. owners may contact dimplex north america customer service at 1-888-346-7539 or coachmen motor works customer service at 1-866-953-5555.

Problem: Coachmen is recalling 2,555 my 2000-2009 georgie boy and coachmen recreational trailers equipped with axles that include bosch zops or zoht pin slide hydraulic disc brakes. when combined with occasional or seasonal vehicle operation may experience calipers sticking in the applied position. this can result in abnormal heat generation at the wheel end causing brake drag. the driver would normally have warning of the brake drag if undetected by the driver.

Risk: The driver would normally detect the brake drag but if undetected the temperature increase at the wheel end can eventually lead to soft pedal conditions due to brake fluid boil, and possible extended stopping distance increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components free of charge. workhorse is handling the remedy for this campaign please see 09v-110. the manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731 or coachmen at 1-574-266-4030, option 5.

Problem: Coachmen is recalling 13,662 my 2002-2008 motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with glass shower doors and manufactured from june 15, 2001 thorugh august 6, 2007. when pressure is applied to the towel bar on the glass shower door, the edge of the bar may contact the glass.

Risk: Glass breakage may occur which could cause personal injury.

Fix: Owners will be provided with new mounting hardware for the towel bar and installation instructions. if an owner is not comfortable replacing the hardware themselves, a dealer will install the hardware at no cost to them. the recall is expected to begin on or about december 19, 2008. owners may contact coachmen at 1-574-825-5821.

Problem: On certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with gm 8.1l v8 engines, improper hardening during the heat treatment process can cause the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip to fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. if the damper becomes loose, fuel could be pumped by the fuel pump into the under hood area.

Risk: In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.

Fix: Workhorse is handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign (please see 06v225). dealers will replace the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clips on these engines free of charge. owners may contact workhorse at 877-294-6773 or coachman at 219-825-8528.

Problem: On certain class a motor homes, the rear hitch attachment brackets that connect the hitch assembly to the chassis frame may crack at the 90 degree bend.

Risk: If this were to occur, a complete separation of the hitch assembly from the chassis could occur, resulting in a crash due to a loss of control of the towed vehicle or trailer.

Fix: Dealers will repair the hitch assembly attachment brackets free of charge. the recall began on march 24, 2005. owners may contact coachmen at 1-800-453-6064.

Problem: On certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) no. 101, "controls and display" and standard no. 105 "hydraulic and electric brake systems." models with actia instrument cluster, the incorrect software programmed into the cluster such that certain warnings are not displayed.

Risk: Incorrect software may not have the ability to illuminate warning lamps indicating brake system failures. the standards require driver warning when brake failure codes are set.

Fix: Workhorse is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-294-6773 or coachmen at 574-825-5821.

Problem: On motor homes built on ford e-series chassis, the air filter element material process resulted in an air filter paper element that can smolder or burn. this change in filter paper composition combined with the configuration of the air induction system, may allow hot carbon particles to contact the air filter element during certain driving conditions that create hot particles.

Risk: These hot particles may ignite the air filter element with the potential for air induction system damage or underhood fire.

Fix: Ford is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. dealers will inspect and replace the air filter element. owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or coachmen at 219-825-5821.

Problem: On certain motor homes, travel trailers, and fifth wheel trailers equipped with samsung microwave ovens, these units were produced with a defective panel. an electrical short can occur between circuit patterns on the membrane panel, especially overlapped by a "jumper" or jump wire. this may cause the oven to activate without pressing any key pads.

Risk: An electrical short can occur causing the oven to activate without pressing any key pads. this could result in excessive heat, smoke, or possibly a fire.

Fix: Samsung will notify customers and repair the panel free of charge. in the meantime, consumers should unplug their microwave, if possible. if the consumer is unable to unplug the microwave, they should leave the door ajar until the panel is replaced. consumers should never use the microwave oven for storage or leave any towels, paper, cloth or other products in the microwave after use. owners w

Problem: On certain class c mini-motor homes, the generator exhaust pipe may have been assembled and installed incorrectly resulting in insufficient clearance to or contact with the chassis fuel fill tube.

Risk: When operating, the generator's exhaust pipe may reach temperatures that could potentially melt and/or ignite the fuel fill tube. should this occur, the potential exists for a fire.

Fix: Dealers will disassemble a portion of the generator exhaust pipe assembly, turning one of the bent components around 180 degrees, reassembling the exhaust pipe and measuring to ensure a minimum of 3" air gap with surrounding components. owner notification began march 24, 2003. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remed

Problem: Vehicle description: class a and c motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. on some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.

Risk: Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.

Fix: Am-safe in notifying customers that they will inspect and replace the defective buckle assemblies free of charge.

Problem: Vehicle description: class a motor homes, models 3602 and 3500. the 120-volt circuit ground wire that provides bonding from the power center and the generator transfer switch to the frame was incorrectly connected to the 12-volt ground bar.

Risk: This can lead to higher voltage within the 12-volt ground system and cause failures in the individual electronic equipment (refrigerator control, furnace control, radios, etc.).

Fix: Dealers will re-wire these motor homes.

Problem: Vehicle description: motor homes with basement converters and basement freezers. a grommet may be missing allowing the 110-volt wire to rub against a metal edge.

Risk: If a direct short were to occur, the potential exists for a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the motor homes to determine if the subject wires are properly protected. if they are not, proper protection will be added, and if necessary, the wiring will be repaired or replaced.