Gulf Stream Friendship problems & recalls

Problem: Gulf stream coach inc. (gulf stream) is recalling certain 2024 conquest, independence, trailmaster, friendship, and ameri-lite, model 177bh, travel trailers. the federal certification label may contain incorrect tire size and tire pressure information. as such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 110, "tire selection and rims," and 49 cfr part 567, "certification."

Risk: Incorrect tire information may result in overinflated tires and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gulf stream will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. owner notification letters were mailed december 4, 2023. owners may contact gulf stream at 1-800-289-8787.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling certain recreational vehicles and fifth wheel trailers equipped with 1200-series norcold refrigerators. the population of refrigerators being addressed contains either a sensing algorithm or thermal switch to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected in order to prevent a potential fire. the response times of the sensor algorithm and thermal switch devices to stop power are not sufficient.

Risk: The sensing algorithm or thermal switch installed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected due to a possible hydrogen gas leak may not shut off in sufficient time to prevent a fire.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with norcold to identify and notify any affected owners. owners will be instructed to contact norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. please see norcold's defect report 10e-049 for additional information. the recall began on march 23, 2011. owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or gulf stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling certain motorhomes equipped with norcold model 1200lr, 1200lrim, and 1201lrim refrigerators with serial numbers between 1273701 and 1536607, non-consecutively. a fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak. if a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. at such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.

Risk: If a leak occurs and the unit continues to operate, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with norcold and the vehicle's refrigerator will be repaired free of charge. please also see norcold's defect notice 09e-027. the safety recall began on october 20, 2009. owners may contact gulf stream at 1-800-289-8787 or norcold's recall center at 1-800-767-9101.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling 29 my 2006-2007 crescendo, tourmaster and friendship motor homes built on freightliner custom chassis with certain detroit diesel mbe 900 epa 04 engines. the high pressure fuel lines and transfer tubes may fatigue and fracture.

Risk: A fractured fuel line may leak diesel fuel possibly resulting in a fire or fuel may be spilled on the road causing a slippery surface, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with detroit diesel and will repair vehicles with a more robust line and vibration dampers free of charge please see 08v-668. the recall is expected to begin during may 2009. owners may contact detroit diesel 1-313-592-3708 or gulf stream at 574-289-8787.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling 99 my 2006-2007 crescendo, yellowstone, friendship and tourmaster motor home chassis built using inline power steering filters. the filter can plug due to failure of the screen adhesion to the filter housing causing a rise in return line pressure. this can lead to hose separation from the filter or steering gear fitting resulting in a sudden loss of steering fluid and power assist.

Risk: Sudden loss of steering assist without warning involving a motor home could be a problem for certain drivers increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with daimler trucks to replace the affected filters with a larger filter (please see 07v570). owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712 or gulf stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling 26,847 my 2003-2006 recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. the refrigerator may have a defect in the boiler tube. pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Risk: If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e032). dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. dometic has retained stericycle inc. to manage this campaign. stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling 38 my 2005, 2008 and 2009 friendship, scenic cruiser, and tourmaster recreational vehicles equipped with zf model 8018 steering gears. these steering gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. this could potentially allow the recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering.

Risk: The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with daimler trucks to have the steering gear replace (please see 07v343). owners may contact daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712 or gulf stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Problem: Gulf stream is recalling 413 my 1999-2002 sun voyager, scenic cruise, friendship, and tour master motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerators. a fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak.

Risk: Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit could lead to a fire from gas which might escape.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with norcold to repair these refrigerators (please see 08e030). norcold will provide thermal switch kits to owners along with the necessary forms and instructions. the manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767- 9101 or gulf stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Problem: Certain motor home chassis equipped with zf model 8018 steering gears may have been assembled with the incorrect recirculating ball spacer. this could potentially allow the recirculating balls to escape from the recirculating ball circuit resulting in a loss of steering.

Risk: The operator may notice higher required steering wheel inputs, or the need for more steering wheel adjustments while driving in a straight line in combination with metallic cracking noises prior to a loss of steering. loss of steering could result in a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear free of charge. phase one of the recall began on january 30, 2008 for 1,392 vehicles. expanded mailings are expected to begin on may 16, 2008. owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Problem: Certain motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, may have a defect in the boiler tube. pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Risk: Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Fix: Gulf stream will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06e076). dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. dometic has retained stericycle inc. to manage this campaign. stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with sc

Problem: On certain class a motor homes built on a spartan chassis, the steering gear support bracket has the potential to fail when subject to the repetitive forces of static steering conditions.

Risk: Loss of steering control could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Spartan chassis is conducting this recall (please see 06v156000) and will replace the steering support bracket free of charge. owners may contact spartan at 517-543-6400.

Problem: On certain 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.

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.

Fix: Gulf stream is working with vehicle systems to notify owners and have the repair performed on their vehicles. owners may contact vehicle systems at 1-800-685-4298 or gulf stream at 1-574-773-7761.