We own a 2003 class a gas motorhome on a workhorse chassis. We have incurred two incidents of brake failure while traveling and had to pull over or be towed to a dealer to fix the brakes, the first incident occurred in january, 2009, at which time workhorse reimbursed our expenses in 2 installments, the last installment in november 2009. On december 29, 2009, we were traveling to texas when our brakes failed again, this time while driving in fort worth, texas on interstate 35. The brakes heat up and stop working. This recall has been going on for over a year and so far workhorse still does not have the proper calipers ready to fix over 40,000 motor homes. They refused to pay overnight shipping of our parts and wanted us to "hole up" in fort worth until the parts arrived after the new year holiday. We paid the $120.00 to have them shipped overnight and had to stay two nights in a hotel for a total of $181.00. Also they would not agree to pay for having our brakes bled which cost us $95.00. When a 35' c lass a motorhome's brakes fail, there could be imminent danger to not only the passengers but also to other drivers on the road if the motorhome cannot be stopped! We are filing this complaint not only for us, but for everyone else driving on roads who want to be safe! We need help in getting workhorse chassis executives to reimburse us for our expenses as well as fixing our problems once and for all!
The worst 2003 Jayco Firenza problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body1
- Brakes1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body1
- Brakes1
Recalls 6
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling various 2002-2016 recreational vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:
- Risk
- In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Jayco will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1‑800‑283‑8267, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1‑855‑262‑3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Recall number 17V746000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Certain motor homes 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.
- Remedy
- Jayco 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 scheduling of appointments. Owners may contact dometic/stericycle at 1‑888‑446‑5157 or jayco at 1‑800‑283‑8267.
Recall number 07V129000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with actia corporate instrument clusters fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss)nos. 101 "controls and displays" and no. 105 "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the incorrect software programmed into the instrument panel cluster such that certain driver warnings required by fmvss 101 and 105 are not displayed. As a result of this incorrect software, the instrument panel cluster may fail to illuminate warning lamps indicating brake system failure codes.
- Risk
- Drivers would not be warned of brake system failures.
- Remedy
- Jayco is working with workhorse to notify owners and have the repair performed on their vehicles. Owners should contact workhorse at 1‑877‑246‑7731 or jayco at 1‑800‑283‑8267.
Recall number 06V079000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- On certain motorhomes, exposure to heat in the engine compartment could decrease the life of the cable constraint components. This could allow the electrical cables to come in contact with, or be damaged by, exhaust components.
- Risk
- This could cause deterioration of cable insulation or shorting of electrical cables resulting in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install metal cable ties and heat shields. Owner notification began april 1, 2004. 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 jayco at 1‑574‑825‑0608.
Recall number 04V030000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- On certain motor homes, there is no option to sanitize the fresh water tanks and to prevent back-flow from the water pump.
- Risk
- Contamination of the water hose could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will add a hose assembly with a valve to route the sanitation solution to the fresh tank. Also a back flow preventor will be added to the fresh water intake to prevent the water from the fresh tank from contacting the fresh hose. Owner notification began september 17, 2003. Owners should contact jayco at 1‑574‑825‑0608.
Recall number 03V256000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp
- 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 march 30, 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 jayco at 1‑574‑825‑0608.
Recall number 03V119000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Jayco Firenza 1
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2003 Jayco Firenza owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The safety supports for the bedroom slide failed due to their weak construction causing the slide to malfunction and possibly fall out on the highway.
I bought a 2003 jayco firenza that was involved in recall 03v256000 the dealer said it was done however it was not fully complied with I contacted the manufacturer and they took no action.
Compare the 2003 Jayco Firenza
Other model years
20022003
Questions about the 2003 Jayco Firenza
Is the 2003 Jayco Firenza reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2003 Jayco Firenza, close to a typical Firenza model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Jayco Firenza?
Body and structure, with 1 complaint. Next is brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Jayco Firenza have?
6 recalls, covering equipment, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.
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