Dt*: the contact stated an after market trailer hitch was purchased. The hitch was installed on a 2003 ford extended van and was attached to a 1997 airstream travel trailer that was 34 feet long and eight and half feet wide. The hitch was suppose to allow the tow vehicle to control the direction of the trailer. However, an inner piece of the hitch failed. The hitch has a spring bar accompanied by a grease zerk. The grease zerk is a hollow bar-like housing about the length of the human finger that has a knob on top. The grease zerk's knob broke off and allowed the trailer to sway back and forth on the highway. The hitch came apart , and due to the uncontrollable swaying, the contact lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash. After colliding with a guard rail the lock pin pulled loose from the hitch and the trailer separated from the vehicle. The trailer stopped by itself with an emergency braking device. The vehicle rolled and came to a stop upside down along the road side. Once the vehicle stopped a fire erupted from the battery compartment area while the passengers were still inside. The passengers escaped with minor injuries. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was taken at the scene. Both the vehicle and trailer were determined totaled by the insurance adjustor.
The worst 1997 Airstream XC problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motor homes built on freightliner chassis. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) rear brake valves can be damaged due to the fresh water tank sagging downward.
- Risk
- This will result in automatic application of the emergency brake causing a rapid deceleration and stopping of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a steel support bracket that runs fore and aft under the fresh water tank between two chassis cross members below the tank. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact airstream at 1‑877‑596‑6505.
Recall number 01V086000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motor homes built on freightliner chassis. The liquid propane gas (lpg) lines can be damaged due to the fresh water tank sagging down, resulting in leakage.
- Risk
- Damaged steel lpg lines could result in a leak that could cause a fire or explosion, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a steel support bracket that runs fore and aft under the fresh water tank between two chassis cross members below the tank. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact airstream at 1‑877‑596‑6505.
Recall number 01V087000 · Recall details
Structure: frame and members
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: motor homes built on freightliner chassis. The rear floor support leg attachments could fail, causing force to the lpg line fittings and could result in leakage.
- Risk
- Damaged steel lpg lines could result in a leak that could cause a fire or explosion, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-enforce the rear floor support with a support leg welded to a steel tube. The old legs will be left in place and the new support leg fitted over the floor support tube, and the support welded in place at the floor support tube and the chassis rail. Owner notification began march 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact airstream at 1‑877‑596‑6505.
Recall number 01V088000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Airstream XC 7
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This newsletter provides detailed instructions regarding winterization of Airstream travel trailers and...
- This newsletter talks about the importance of cleaning and maintaining waste water tanks, and provides...
- This newsletter includes information regarding
- The newsletter discusses the importants of cleaning and mainataining safety devices installed in Airstream...
- This installment talks about preparing their RV for the upcoming camping season
- This newsletter discusses how to prepare your RV for the upcoming camping season
- The communication explains the steps necessary to properly winterize and store your RV in colder climates.
What 1997 Airstream XC owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 1997 Airstream XC
Other model years
1997
Questions about the 1997 Airstream XC
Is the 1997 Airstream XC reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1997 Airstream XC, close to a typical XC model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Airstream XC?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 1997 Airstream XC have?
3 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, other and structure.
VIN decoder
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