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2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer is brakes. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Vacationer model year.

Typical year2.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
1
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Electrical
    1
  • Lights
    1

Recalls 5

Trailer hitchesReported January 16, 2007 · 2,086 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain class a motor h0mes built with gasoline engines, the frame extension lower flange may crack allowing the hitch to bend and possibly separate from the motor home.
Risk
This could result in separation of the towed vehicle.
Remedy
Dealers will add an addition of two pieces of angle steel to the frame extension and hitch mounting point in order to reinforce the frame extension flange free of charge. The recall began on february 15, 2007. Owners may contact monaco at 877‑466‑6226. Note: the ending manufacturing date for indiana built motor homes is march 8, 2002 while the oregon built motor homes were built through november 2002. The federal id label located on the wall next to the driver's seat specifies in which state the motor home was built.

Recall number 07V010000 · Recall details

Electrical systemReported June 23, 2006 · 2,582 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with actia corporate instrument cluster fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, 'controls and displays,' and no. 105, 'hydraulic and electric brake systems.' if the brake fail input falls below a voltage of 1.5v, the brake failure lamp and alarm will be activated. Also activation of the ABS telltale when the ABS is not properly functioning does not always occur.
Risk
At night the instrument cluster lights may fail and the driver may not be able to see the instrument panel gauges and the brake warning light indicator which could increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Workhorse is conducting this recall (please see 04v195000) and will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Owners may contact workhorse at 1‑877‑246‑7731 or monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.

Recall number 06V227000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lampReported March 5, 2003 · 5,361 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by standard.
Risk
In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.
Remedy
Dealers will repair the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification began may 7, 2003. 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 monaco coach at 1‑877‑477‑6226.

Recall number 03V068000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation componentsReported October 22, 2002 · 8,581 vehicles affected
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

StructureReported September 9, 2002 · 6,223 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain class a motor homes, the floor truss network support system has a potential to weaken causing internal and external features to become misaligned. The affected vehicles are 1999 - 2003 class a motor homes manufactured on f53 20,500 pound gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), ford chassis, and 2000-2003 class a motor homes manufactured on w-22 22,000 pound gvwr, workhorse chassis.
Risk
Conditions can result in the bottoming out the suspension and amplification of the stress placed on the floor truss network. The additional stress can result in the fracture of welds securing the floor truss network system to the chassis frame rail and/or fracture of the floor truss network support system. The possibility exists that there could be damage to electrical wiring and/or fuel lines which could potentially lead to a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the floor truss network support system, reinforce the existing structure, and repair, as needed, the floor truss network support. Owner notification began november 5, 2002. Owners should contact monaco at 1‑800‑685‑6545.

Recall number 02V237000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer

Defect investigations

Tow hitch/frame failureOpened October 24, 2006, closed January 22, 2007

Odi opened this investigation after receiving a congressional inquiry and determining the existence of two failures.additional reports werenoted on the internet.the reports claim that the frame extension lower flange is cracking and allowing the hitch to bend down towards the ground.monaco had previously produced a service bulletin addressing this matter.odi sent an information request to monaco and had several discussions with monaco officials.as a result,monaco coach inc submitted a 573 and is recalling the subject vehicles. Monaco will reinforce the frame extension flange with two pieces of angle iron. This investigation is closed.odi believes that monaco's actionaddresses the problem.odi has excused monaco from answering the information request letter. Odi is unaware of the number of failures, if any reported to monaco, since the information request was unanswered.

PE06047

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 1

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 8, 2008 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · GA

Drivers side rear brake on 2003 workhorse w-22 motorhome chassis locked after coming down steep grade. Brake released after cooling for about 20 or 30 minutes. Abs light stays on now most of the time. No damage to pads or rotor. The brake lockup has not repeated since.

Filed Apr 18, 2008 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler vacationer. The contact stated that the brakes are sticking and overheating. The mechanic stated that the ABS failed. In february of 2008, the brakes overheated, which caused the ABS to fail and have to be replaced. The brakes lock and cause them to overheat, stick, and drag. The vehicle is currently in the shop and three sensors have been replaced. The federal safety agency campaign id number 02v278000 (service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components) was referenced. The current mileage was 18,000 and failure mileage was 15,000.

Filed Feb 28, 2008 · Brakes, Lights · 15,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler vacationer. While driving 55 MPH, the rear passenger side brakes overheated. The contact allowed the brakes to cool and drove to a garage for inspection. The dealer informed him of the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 02v278000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components and 03v068000 (service brakes, hydraulic:switches:brake warning). The recall repairs were performed; however, the front passenger side brakes began dragging and overheating in december of 2007. The dealer replaced the front and rear calipers. The current mileage was 30,344 and failure mileage was 15,000. Updated 04-02-08

Filed Nov 15, 2007 · Brakes · CA

Abs light periodically was illuminated. Just returned from 7,000 mile trip and find that all four rotors are blue and have cracks deep through the rotor. I do not ride my brakes as brake pads are not worn out. I do not feel this is normal and feel there is a defect.

Filed Oct 5, 2004 · Electrical · DC

Electrical problem, absolutely no braking or steering was possible. *bf there was a problem with the A/C. *sc jb

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Questions about the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer

Is the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer, 2.5 times a typical Vacationer model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (1).

How many recalls does the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer have?

5 recalls, covering trailer hitches, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Holiday Rambler Vacationer brakes?

Yes, 2 recalls: 03V068000, 02V278000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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