To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding Recall #21V‑522 (the federal safety agency Campaign No. 21V‑522) involving Lippert/Hehr windows. I own a 2019 Thor Motor Coach Challenger motorhome manufactured on 9/2018, which contains Lippert/Hehr windows that are exhibiting the same safety defect identified in this recall. Specifically, the adhesive bond between the glass and its supporting frame/rail has failed, causing partial detachment of the glass panel. While Lippert has stated that my windows are not covered because they were manufactured just prior to the official recall window, and that the defect is not a “seal failure” but rather a “rail detachment,” the functional hazard is identical: the glass panel is separating from the frame, creating a serious risk of detachment while in transit. I have already submitted extensive documentation to Lippert, including: •Photos of each affected window (interior and exterior). •Close-up photos showing the adhesive/rail detachment. •The official recall schematic identifying the part numbers of my windows, which match those identified in Recall #21V‑522. Despite this, Lippert has refused to cover the repair under the recall, citing narrow technical distinctions and manufacturing dates. This refusal leaves me with multiple windows in my vehicle that present a significant public safety hazard consistent with the very defect the federal safety agency recognized in this recall. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review my case and determine whether Lippert is improperly limiting the scope of Recall #21V‑522, and to require them to provide an appropriate remedy for my affected windows. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am prepared to provide all supporting documentation, including photographs, correspondence with Lippert, and recall documentation, upon request. Respectfully [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The worst 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Visibility4
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Locks1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility4
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Locks1
Recalls 6
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models 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
- Thor 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 Thor customer service at 1‑877‑500‑1020, 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 17V758000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Ace, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, Windsport, Palazzo, Tuscany, and Tuscany XTE motorhomes. The windshield wipers may fail due to the system being incorrectly installed or secured.
- Risk
- If the windshield wipers cannot be used, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiper system to verify it is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the system as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 27, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000146. Note: Although some of the vehicles included in this recall have previously been remedied under recalls 17V‑096 or 17V‑162, the vehicles may need additional repairs under this campaign.
Recall number 17V555000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2015 ACE, Hurricane, Challenger, Daybreak, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes. These vehicles have windshield wiper systems that may have been improperly installed and secured, possibly causing the wipers to fail during use.
- Risk
- Failure of the windshield wipers may impair the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- TMC has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wiper arm securing nuts, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867.
Recall number 17V162000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.
- Risk
- Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.
Recall number 15V745000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Challenger and Tuscany recreational vehicles, and 2014 Tuscany XTE and Palazzo recreational vehicles manufactured March 8, 2013, through August 8, 2013, and equipped with certain Frigidaire KG-series microwave models CFMV152CLB and CFMV154CLS manufactured January 27, 2013, through April 10, 2013 in the serial number range KG30607951 through KG31600670. In the affected vehicles, the microwave may start on its own and begin heating when unattended.
- Risk
- If the microwave starts on its own and there are contents inside, a fire could result.
- Remedy
- Thor will notify owners, and dealers will repair the membrane/keypad component, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014. Owners may contact Thor Motor Coach at 1‑877‑500‑1020. Thor's number for this recall is RC000088. Note: Until the microwave has been repaired, owners should not store anything in the microwave while it is unattended.
Recall number 14V127000 · Recall details
Equipment
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Challenger, Four Winds 5000, Hurricane, Chateau, Chateau Sport, and Windsport; model year 2013 Palazzo and Four Winds Siesta and model year 2014 Majestic motorhomes manufactured February 13, 2013, through April 09, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowningly become damaged. A damaged motor may lead to an unfurling of the awning.
- Risk
- If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Thor Motor Coach will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began during May 2013. Owners may contact Thor at 1‑877‑855‑2867 or Dometic at 1‑888‑447‑0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Recall number 13V164000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger
Defect investigations
Trimark 060-1650 Door Latch Failures
On November 23, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE20021 to investigate allegations of inoperative Trimark THP 060-1650 door lock/latches originally equipped on model years (MY) 2015-2017 Class A and Class C motorhomes.ODI received forty-six Vehicle Ownerâs Questionnaires (VOQs) describing consumers being locked in or out of their vehicles.The door latch, containing a die-cast zinc plunger, was produced by Equality during calendar years 2014-2016. The die-cast may become porous and brittle over time and can break without warning, causing the vehicle owner to be unable to open the recreational vehicle door equipped with the latch.If the motorhome does not have any other doors such as some Class A models, occupants could be trapped inside, needing to climb out using the emergency exits. If locked out, owners would be unable to easily get in and retrieve children and pets. ODI analyzed the data provided by Trimark in response to its January 27, 2021 information request letter.Although an elevated failure rate was evident on a specific combination of plunger bolt, door lock/latch assembly and door, the data showed that most failures occurred within the first two years of service on the affected 2015-2017 vehicles.This data suggests that component failures generally would have already occurred.Further, ODI data reflects a downward trend in complaints after calendar year 2018 and for post- MY 2016 vehicles.This downward trend may be attributed Trimark's actions in 2016 such as changes in the manufacturing process of its zinc plunger component for the relevant population and its 2016 decision to switch to a steel plunger. In view of the nature of early-life failure, and failure rate trending downward for model years 2017 and newer, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to
PE20021
Technical service bulletins for the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger 2
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2014 Thor Challenger RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH in a heavy rainstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The contact stated that during the failure, the windshield wiper setting was set to high speed; however, the windshield wiper module failed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the RV was previously serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V162000 (Visibility). The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 thor challenger 37k. While inside the rv, the contact attempted to open the door; however, the door failed to unlock. The contact had to drive the rv to the dealer (exit 1 rv, fairhaven, vermont) where the door was removed in order for the contact to exit the rv. The dealer removed the latch lock from the door of the rv; however, they did not have a replacement for the door latch at that time. The rv was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000. The VIN was unknown.
My wife and I took delivery of our thor rv at 7pm on 12/05/14 without the benefit of ever being allowed to test drive the rv. Many excuses by camping world. Left dealer and drove 300 years on nearby surface road and braked to join entrance ramp to interstate 75. Brakes failed because 3 pound, rigid 4 foot vinyl-clad, wooden frame covering had dislodged from the electric overhead bunk frame and dropped to the driver's floor behind brake and gas pedals. Could not slow coach from 35mph but forced to the shoulder of road under overhead interstate exchange. To stop rv, driver had to downshift, then place rv into neutral and eventually engage emergency brake as rv careened to a stop on grassy shoulder just before splashing into a 2 acre, 6 foot deep water collection pond at highway exit. Camping world store had closed but we drove back anyway to see if we could get help. No one was available. At least two coach steel brace covers rising from the cab floor had been previously held in place with hook-and-loop closure (velcro) from the thor factory. Velcro adhesive had melted and floor support covers dislodged once coach was driven away from lot. Coach had been on dealer's lot for 12 months before our purchase. Excessive heat and humidity degraded velcro ability to hold the three pound frame protection in place. Reported issue to rv dealer and they attempted repair. Repair not acceptable. Owner drilled through vinyl cover and wood structure into steel brace to secure brace cover. Installed vinyl buttons for dress. Scary, scary episode. All thor coaches must be inspected - death or injury could occur. Velcro tapes must be replaced with valid fasteners.
While driving in heavy rain at highway speed my wipers went all the way to the driver's side of the windshield, and stopped there. Thor once replaced them but about a year later the new wiper assembly did the same thing under the same conditions. Through online forums I know that several others with the same model motor home have experienced the same occurrence. I can supply their names.
Passenger wiper comes loose at spline and falls below windshield. This happens when traveling and wipers are in use.
Compare the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger
Other model years
Questions about the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger
Is the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger, 2.0 times a typical Challenger model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 4 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger have?
6 recalls, covering equipment and visibility.
Was there a recall on the 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger visibility?
Yes, 2 recalls: 17V555000, 17V162000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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