Coachmen Somerset 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 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 fifth wheel trailers equipped with tredit wheels, the rims may have poor weld quality and insufficient press fit between the wheel rim and disc.

Risk: The center of the wheel could separate from the rim. the wheel may wobble and cause a vibration or the mounted tire could lose air causing the tire to go flat, resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Coachmen is working with tredit tire to notify owners and have the wheels replaced with a 16" steel rim wheel. the recall began on september 21, 2005. owners may contact coachmen at 1-800-453-6064.

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