Tl* the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador. The contact stated that while driving at various low speeds, the brake pedal was applied and instantly went to the floorboard. As a result, the contact crashed into a pole. The contact mentioned that crashing into the pole was the only way to stop the vehicle. The contact engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle while in the reverse position because the vehicle continued to roll backwards while the brakes were applied. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to premier truck group of knoxville (1413 everett road, knoxville, tennessee 37932 (800) 443-2324) where it was diagnosed that the foot valve was faulty and that air was induced into the brake lines. The dealer replaced the front right brake caliber, the front axle, and all of the ABS sensor lights on the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,500. *dt
The worst 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador 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.
- Brakes9
- Suspension7
- Body3
- Airbags1
- Tires1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador
Recalls 5
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Monaco is recalling certain 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.
- Remedy
- Monaco is working with norcold to repair these refrigerators. Norcold will provide thermal switch kits to owners along with the necessary forms and instructions. The recall began on august 29, 2008. Owners may contact norcold at 1‑800‑767‑9101 or monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.
Recall number 08V257000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain class a motor homes, the spacer plate under the trailing arms had a transverse weld which creates a heat riser and cause the trailing arms to crack.
- Risk
- This could create rough driving conditions and damage to rear suspension system. The driver could loose control of the motorhome and a crash could occur without prior notice.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the replace the trailing arms for cracks and replacing the trailing arms and u-bolts in the rear suspension of the motorhomes free of charge. The recall began on march 29, 2005. Owners may contact monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.
Recall number 05V053000 · Recall details
Suspension: front
- What is wrong
- On certain motorhomes, the I-beam leaf imitator in the front axle suspension could crack and break due to an inadequate welding process.
- Risk
- The I-beams on the front axle and the panard bracket on the rear axle could crack and break causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the original I-beam. Also, dealers will weld the stiffeners from the panard bar bracket to the center differential of the rear axle housing. Owner notification began march 1, 2004. Owners should contact monaco at 1‑877‑466‑6226.
Recall number 04V038000 · Recall details
Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cables
- What is wrong
- On certain motor homes, the battery cable that is attached to the circuit breaker is routed too close to the frame of the coach.
- Risk
- This could result in the cable becoming worn and creating an electrical short in the 12-volt system that could damage the battery and/or circuit breaker.
- Remedy
- Dealers will rotate the eyelet on the circuit breaker to eliminate the possibility of the cable rubbing on the frame. Owner notification began august 22, 2003. Owners should contact monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.
Recall number 03V267000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components
- What is wrong
- On certain motor homes, the brake assemblies exhibit elevated temperatures that can lead to catastrophic deterioration of the wheel end components such as bearings, races, spindles, knuckles, seals, hubs, rotors, patch bolts, calipers, brake pads, and ABS sensors.
- Risk
- This could result in loss of control, and/or the potential for a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front and rear brake calipers for corrosion and replace or rebuild the calipers as necessary. The recall began on august 18, 2004. Owners should contact monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.
Recall number 02V278000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador 3
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started to veer to one side and the ABS sensor light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was merged over to the shoulder to cool off and was later driven to the contact's residence. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v278000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to address the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Front calipers did not release, causing abnormal wear and tear on the rotors and pads I have a roadmaster chassis.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador equipped with hercules s208 load rating tires, size: 255 70 22.5. The contact stated that while traveling 65 MPH, the front passenger's side tire blew and the tread became separated from the tire. The contact spoke with the distributor of the tire and was advised that they had received numerous complaints from truck drivers about the tires. The tires were replaced. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available.
I have a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador on a roadmaster chassis. I have the same bosch brakes that are currently being recalled on the work horse chassis. I should be included in the work horse recall since I have the same brakes. Holiday rambler went out of business and was bought by monaco and it went out of business also. Navistar bought monaco. No one is looking at the holiday rambler brake problems that are the same as the work hours recall. I had to have all calipers ,rotors, brake pads, and ABS sensors changed due to the caliper not releasing and heating the rotors.
2003 holiday rambler motorhome bosch brake calibers sticking. 73mm. Had to change all 4 calibers. Now drivers side sticking. Very dangerous and expensive.
Events leading to discovery of failure - failure of airbag and panhard tie arm on 2003 holiday rambler 36' ambassador diesel pusher motorhome while 500mi from home, and then second airbag punctured and replaced, along with swaying action that caused difficulty driving LED to discovery of broken(complete break) trailing arm on driver side of mh. It is unknown how long the trailing arm may have been driven with crack(s). The airbag failures, along with the panhard tie rod caused by broken trailing arm. Due to information received regarding 2nd failures of trailing arms that had been replaced, a new replacement set of trailing arms was purchased from source engr mfg.
Rear trailing arm on monaco and holiday rambler break my vehicle had previously been recalled ( 05v053000 ) in 2005 for same problem. A check of rv forums indicate many others are having the same failure. The company that is now manufacturing replacement parts indicated to me they were shipping 8 to 10 sets (they only supply parts in sets, both sides) a week. Company's name is source manufacturing, elmira, or 541‑935‑0308.
2003 holiday rambler, ambassador, 34pst, after light stop and go traffic at highway speed the brake calipers and brake system overheat, the disk brake calipers fail to release completely overheating the front and rear passenger side brakes to the point of burning. Gear oil can be smelled and the wheels are locked with the motorcoach off the ground. After cooling they relesed. The federal safety agency recall 02v278000 monaco r02175 applies. Dealer tom raper refuses to repair.
2003 holiday rambler ambassador motor home. Grab bar on outside of coach broke off while my husband climbed into the coach.
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Questions about the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador
Is the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador reliable?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador, 6.0 times a typical Ambassador model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador?
Brakes, with 9 complaints, typically around 4,000 miles. Next is suspension (7).
How many recalls does the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador have?
5 recalls, covering equipment, suspension and electrical system.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V278000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Holiday Rambler Ambassador have bad brakes?
The Holiday Rambler Ambassador model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (15 complaints) and 2000 (14 complaints).
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