My 2017 THOR Challenger was part of the federal safety agency recall 21V‑845. I made repairs to my coach in 2017 and 2018 totaling $4600. I have sent THOR all pictures and receipts from those repairs. I started the process in March 2022. Last week they informed me it is not a Thor recall, and I would have to deal with the company that manufactured the doors for them. I have included recent correspondence with them. I can, if you request, send all my receipt and pictures for the repairs that i had done. I wish to file a formal complaint for the disregard of the federal safety agency recall 21V‑845. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). The dealer stated the federal safety agency 21V‑845 was not a Thor recall and the consumer had 15 doors replaced at the owners expense totaling over $4600.
The worst 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body5
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body5
Recalls 5
Structure: body: door
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017 Challenger, Miramar, and Outlaw motorhomes. The external compartment outer door skin may separate from the motorhome during transit.
- Risk
- A door skin that separates during transit can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the compartment door skin and replace the door as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 28, 2021. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000247.
Recall number 21V845000 · Recall details
Visibility
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thor Challenger, Miramar, and Outlaw motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.
- Risk
- If the windshield roller shade unrolls while driving, it could block the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000165.
Recall number 18V812000 · Recall details
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
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."
- Risk
- If the water capacity information is incorrect and it causes the vehicle to be over loaded, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑500‑1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.
Recall number 17V634000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain 2017 Challenger 37YT motorhomes. The exhaust pipe from the onboard gasoline generator may be mislocated or missing completely on the subject vehicles.
- Risk
- Without a correctly installed generator exhaust pipe, there may be a buildup of carbon monoxide within the interior of the vehicle, increasing the risk of personal injury or death.
- Remedy
- TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the motorhomes for proper generator exhaust installation and routing, replacing or reinstalling the exhaust, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 3, 2017. Owner's may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑500‑1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000138.
Recall number 17V362000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2017 Thor Challenger Motorhome. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, an abnormally loud banging sound was heard and another vehicle honked the contact, alerting him to look in the rearview mirror. The contact noticed styrofoam flying from the motorhome and the external compartment door flapping open. The contact pulled over and examined the RV and became aware that one of the external compartment door skin had separated from the glue. The contact used masking tape to tape the separated door compartment and four other door compartments that were starting to separate as well. The vehicle was not repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V845000 (Structure) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 19,100.
The plunger on the trimark door handle/lock mechanism broke internally, locking us outside of our motor home. The motor home was parked.
On 04/16/2018at approximately 1:15 while traveling west on I-40 midway between mile marker238and236i heard a loud noise from the left side of the coach. I immediately looked in the left hand mirror, and saw what I thought was the battery compartment door, open, flapping in the breeze. I was approching exit236, so I exited and located a home depot parking lot just off the exit. I pulled into the home depot parking lot and upon checking the battery compartment door, found that the door was secured. What I saw was in fact, the battery compartment door skin. I observed that the door skin had separated from the frame. Upon further inspection, no mechanical fasteners we're located on the skin ,or on door frame. I obtained stainless steel self drilling sheet metal screws, folded the skin back into position, and secured in place with the screws, and continued to our destination without futher incident. Checked, and found no other doors affected. Upon return to the dealership, approx 1 week later, I checked all doors, and found the water tank compartment door skin to be loose, along the top of the leading egde. This door was removed, and reattached by the dealership. I contacted thor motorcoach, about this potentially serious manufacturing defect, and was told to contact mishawaka sheet metal, manufacturers of the doors in question. I emailed mishawaka sheet metal on 05/02/17 and received a email from them on 05/16/17 stating they were aware of problems with some doors, after being assembled using a bad batch of glue, which causes problems after an extended period of time. I have attempted to contact thor motorcoach with this information, which apparently, they were aware of, as there have been a few repaired under warranty. There are at least 8 other owners with coaches effected. Should these panels detach, it could be deadly !
We have owned our vehicle for 14 months with under 7000 miles driven and used approximately 12 times for trips. While we were preparing to leave, the trimark entry door latch broke leaving 3 people trapped inside and me outside. I had to climb through a window using a ladder with tools to disassemble the lock and pry out the broken plunger part. I have attached a picture that represents the part of the latch that broke. Currently, a deadbolt is keeping the door close and am also using a velcro strap to keep the door from opening while traveling. Since it has been 14 months since purchasing the vehicle new, I am out of warranty. However, after doing research the replacement part being offered is the exact same mechanism that others have indicated has the same issue after they have replaced, some multiple times. I have called thor motorcoach and they knew exactly the issue and I was told I will need to buy a new door latch assembly. Trimark is offering a newer replacement part number 37575-01-k with a redesigned steel plunger and charging $201. I do not feel I should have to spend additional money for a design flaw that causes a safety issue by trapping people either inside or outside of the vehicle.
Compare the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger
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Questions about the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger
Is the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger, 1.7 times a typical Challenger model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger?
Body and structure, with 5 complaints.
How many recalls does the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger have?
5 recalls, covering structure, visibility and equipment.
Was there a recall on the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Challenger body?
Yes, 1 recall: 21V845000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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