Holiday Rambler Ambassador overheating problems

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Brakes · 32,342 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 holiday rambler ambassador rv. The contact stated all of the caliper overheated and caught on fire while the contact was applying the brakes. The contact was able to extinguish the fire and proceed to his destination. The caliper was not replaced. The manufacturer advised the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 02v278000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure and current mileage was 32,342. Updated 10/17/13*cn the first time the incident happened, the right rear brake caliper locked up and a small flame started. The ABS sensor, brake pads and brake caliper burned up. The consumer experienced the same failure two additional times. Update 12/5/13

Filed May 27, 2009 · Brakes · 24,120 miles · OH

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.

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Brakes · 25,251 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 holiday rambler ambassador rv. The contact stated that the front driver's side brake overheated and began smoking while driving 30 MPH. The failure left the vehicle without braking power. He noticed that the issue occurred on four different occasions. In 2002, the brakes overheated and smoke appeared, but there was no loss of braking power. The contact pulled over and allowed the brakes to cool off. In 2003, the brakes were rebuilt after the manufacturer shipped out parts due to the failure. After the failure recurred, the vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign id number 02v278000 in 2004. The manufacturer stated that they could not assist because the recall repair had already been performed. The vehicle has not been repaired a fourth time. The current mileage was 45,148 and failure mileage was 25,251. Updated 05/08/09. *lj updated 05/11/09.

Filed Oct 26, 2008 · Brakes · 70,250 miles · FL

Thermal brake failure on florida state road 33 just north of groveland, fl. On 8 oct 08. Right rear caliper overheated and caused burned brake smell and resultant failure of the ABS sensor. Pistons failed to fully retract which caused the pads to drag on the rotor and cause heat build up. This is the 8th failure since I have purchased this mortorhome new april 2000. Recall in 2004 only involved an inspection for my motorhome and they determined that my installed calipers that were installed at the factory in 2003 were proper. I still believe that I do not have the proper calipers due to the continued thermal brake failures. I send a courtesy copy of each complaint I file to monaco. Monace representative mr. Michael becker continues to state that there is no brake problem on holiday rambler motorhomes and that the recall corrected the original problem. The bosch representative would not discuss this matter with me.

Filed Mar 24, 2008 · Brakes, Suspension · 4,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador. While 55 MPH, the calipers would lock the brakes, which caused the wheels to overheat. In addition, the rear passenger side wheel bearings, seals, brake pads also failed. The dealer made the repair however; the ABS warning light remained illuminated. The failure mileage was 4,000 and current mileage was 24,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2007 · Brakes · 66,831 miles · FL

Thermal brake failure while in traffic at paducka, ky. Left rear caliper overheated and caused strong smell, smoke and resultant failure of ABS sensor. Pistons failed to fully retract and the pads were dragging on the rotor causing the heat build up. This is the 7th failure since we purchased this motorhome new in april 2000 . Recall in 2004 only involved an inspection for my motorhome and they determined that my installed calipers that were installed by the factory in 2003 were proper. I don't believe this to be correct as I continue to have same problem. My calipers should have been replaced during the recall instead of just an inspection! I report each failure to monaco and the representatives state that my calipers are current and ok. Bosch will not discuss this matter with me. They state they will only talk about this to factory representative.

Filed Oct 31, 2007 · Brakes · 64,542 miles · FL

Thermal disc brake failure after 3rd application of brakes on mountain decent. Right front caliper overheated and caused the pistons to fail to fully retract resulting in the pads to drag on the rotors and cause smoke, brake overheat smell and illumination of the ABS light on the dash. This is the 6th failure since we purchased this motorhome. Recall in 2003, did not resolve this problem.

Filed Jul 30, 2007 · Brakes · 25,844 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 holiday rambler ambassador. The contact stated that the rear ABS engaged and would not release, which caused the brake sensors to overheat and melt. He also smelled smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle while driving 50 MPH. The dealer stated that the calipers caused the failure. Recall number 02v278000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components) was referenced. The dealer replaced the front calipers, however, they did not replace the rear ones. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage was 36,641 and failure mileage was 25,844.

Filed Jan 30, 2007 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · FL

I reported overheating of the brakes to monaco june 2002- they had cummings at ocala, fl replace all the brake components on the front axle. Again in july 2003 I had overheating of the brakes, smoke and ABS failure- monaco had plant 9 replace all brake components on the front and rear. In 2004 monaco had a recall inspection- result was that the replaced calipers were the new approved calipers. I continue to have overheating of the brakes; sometimes in front and sometimes in the rear, ( ABS sensor always are burned up). Now after only 27,000 miles since the last replacement of components, the brake pads are worn out. I reported this problem twice to the tech at monaco customer service and their answer is that they did the recall in 2004; therefore, the problem of overheated calipers was resolved. About every 90 days I have to replace a burned out ABS sensor at a cost of $90 each time. I still have overheating of the calipers and components. The style calipers they installed did not resolve my problem. Monaco (tech's) now state that my coach is a 2000 that has 60m miles on it; therefore it is out of warranty. They state that it now is my problem.

Filed Nov 14, 2006 · Brakes · 8,000 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH on clear dry road conditions, the brakes locked up, and the ABS light on the dash illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over, and the dealer was contacted who determined that the brakes had overheated, and burned out the ABS sensor. The contact was advised to let the vehicle cool down, before continuing to drive. The ABS sensor was replaced, but the problem recurred 4 months later while traveling 55 MPH. The sensor was replaced, but the problem recurred a third time a couple months later. On 08/18/04, a the federal safety agency recall letter #02v278000 regarding service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components was received. The calipers were not replaced, even though the recall stated so. The vehicle's braked locked up two more times after the recall work, and the ABS sensor was replaced both times. The manufacturer was contacted, and determined that the cost of the calipers would be covered, but not the labor. The dealer was contacted and determined that the ABS sensor burned out because the defective calipers were locking up. This was a holiday rambler / ambassador .*ak the consumer had to pay for the brake repairs which were not covered under the recall. Updated 12/15/06.