We were the owners of a 2003 outback by liteway (keystone) until feb. 2010 at which time it caught fire and burned completely. It was sitting in our driveway and luckily a neighbor woke up and reported in on fire. The fire marshal determined it started behind the refrigerator. While looking on line yesterday, I came across several blogs discussing a recall on the same refrigerator we had in ours. It is made by dometic and apparently they're handling the situation very poorly.this problem is effecting an immense amount of trailers. We, like hundreds or thousands of others, never received a notice of recall that would alert us to the potential dangers! I've read several other complaints regarding the "bandaid" fix dometic was offering and read that even after the "fix", their trailers caught fire. What can we do? Our ins. Only covered a portion of the remaining balance that we owe and we are still making payments on something that doesn't exist! Help.....
The worst 2003 Keystone Outback problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body2
Recalls 2
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling various 2003-2018 Crossroads, Dutchmen, and Keystone recreational trailers 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
- Keystone will notify owners and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Keystone customer service at 1‑574‑535‑2100, 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. Keystone's number for this recall is 17-307.
Recall number 17V755000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- On certain travel trailers equipped with samsung microwave ovens, these ovens were produced with a defective panel. An electrical short can occur between circuit patterns on the membrane panel, especially overlapped by a "jumper" or jump wire. This may cause the oven to activate without pressing any key pads.
- Risk
- An electrical short can occur causing the oven to activate without pressing any key pads. This could result in excessive heat, smoke, or possibly a fire.
- Remedy
- Samsung will notify customers and repair the panel free of charge. In the meantime, consumers should unplug their microwave, if possible. If the consumer is unable to unplug the microwave, they should leave the door ajar until the panel is replaced. Consumers should never use the microwave oven for storage or leave any towels, paper, cloth or other products in the microwave after use. 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 samsung at 800‑932‑3837 or keystone at 574‑535‑2100.
Recall number 03V463000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2003 Keystone Outback
Defect investigations
Wheel separations
On june 20, 2005, keystone rv notified odi of keystone's intention to conduct safety campaign 05v‑309 to address 2,668 vehicles consisting of 1,677 my 2004 montana, 550 my 2004 everest, and 441 my 2005 everest vehicles equipped with aluminum wheels.this campaign proposes to remove the wheels, inspect the wheel ends for indications of prior loosening and/or other damage, remove paint and other contaminants from the wheel mounting interface, and educate the owner about the importance of checking the torque of the wheel mounting nuts as prescribed in keystone's owner's manual.on september 20, 2005 keystone distributed wheel end servicing information in dvd format to 114,618 owners of non-campaigned vehicles manufactured between may 1, 2003 and sept 1, 2005. Although keystone has indicated that they have improved the quality and consistency of the wheel nut installation and torquing, odi is concerned that the need for frequent retorque may be indicative that other currently-unaddressed factors may be involved.odi will close this investigation but continue to closely monitor the wheel separation issue at keystone rv.
EA04032
Wheel separations
Wheel separations at thor indusries have predominantly occurred in vehicles manufactured by keystone rv.keystone rv has reported 110 separations of steel wheels of 64,727(0.17%) and 15 separations of aluminum wheels of 6,984 produced (0.21%) in recreational vehiclesmanufactured since march 2003.other divisions of thor industries, dutchman (4), thor california (0), thor america (2), komfort corp (2), and airstream (14) have reported fewer wheel separations over a broader time period (since 2000) than keystone rv. Since a significant majority (92%) of the wheel separations that have occurred in thor industries vehicles have occurred in keystone rv vehicles, odi will focus investigation activity on these products and open an engineering analysis (ea) at keystone rv to investigate the cause(s) for wheel separations.
PE04051
What 2003 Keystone Outback owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 keystone outback lite fifth wheel. While driving less than 70 MPH, the right siding on the passenger side of the vehicle peeled off. There was fiberglass debris. No repairs have been made. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and advised the contact to hire an attorney. Updated 11/17/08 *cn the consumer was informed the rv had extensive water damaged on the front a right and left side. Updated 11/24/08.
The trailers rear bumper is separating from the frame. The cause of bumper separation is undetermined. Please provide additional information.
Compare the 2003 Keystone Outback
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Keystone Outback
Is the 2003 Keystone Outback reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2003 Keystone Outback, 1.5 times a typical Outback model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Keystone Outback?
Body and structure, with 2 complaints.
How many recalls does the 2003 Keystone Outback have?
2 recalls, covering equipment.
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