While driving at highway speeds (70 mph+/-), my diesel powered vehicle 'derated' (I believe that is the term) for no apparent reason. An engine light came on related to a DEF system malfunction. I can provide the code later. My vehicle instantly went from 70 mph to 15 mph on a crowded interstate, on an inside lane. With some difficulty I managed to make across three lanes to the shoulder and turned off the vehicle. After a quick inspection, finding nothing obvious, I proceeded down the shoulder to a gas station. I tried to top off my DEF tank, but it was full. After an hour the engine light went off and the vehicle drove normal. So I'm back on the highway. I went another hour, the engine light came on and the vehicle derated at highway speed. Same white knuckle lane crossing. This time I went to a truck repair shop, who diagnosed it as an issue with the DEF system. They reset the engine light and the vehicle seem to drive normally again. This time we management to make it home without an additional incident. I went to a local diesel mechanic (Ford refused to honor the warranty) who replaced the DEF pump assembly. I think it was specifically the float arm, or the mechanism that measure DEF tank levels. It cost over $1000. While I have several issues with the situation, the primary one is that a perfectly sound vehicle purposely derating the speed from 70 mph to 15 mph in heavy traffic on an exceptionally hot day. Going across three lanes of interstate traffic decelerating to 15 mph, was more than a little scary. Someone could have easily been killed. And the fact that this system is designed to shut you down over exhaust emissions is insane and dangerous. The easy analogy would be derating a gas vehicle over an oxygen sensor failure. I'm hoping that if enough other people complain about this, the government will fix a problem they created. The craziest thing about this is my DEF pump was actually working.
The worst 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
Recalls 2
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Thor Gemini and Compass recreational vehicles built on a Ford chassis and equipped with a trailer tow module. Water can enter the tow modules and corrode the wiring causing issues such as rapidly flashing turn signals, loss of instrument panel display, an electrical short and possibly the deployment of seatbelt pretensioner.
- Risk
- An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire. Turn signal, instrument cluster or seatbelt pretensioner problems can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford has notified owners, and Ford dealers will add a drainage hole in the driver's door stepwell and incorporate a fuse into the vehicle's wiring harness, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1‑877‑855‑2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000154.
Recall number 18V415000 · 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
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Us. On certain model year 2012– 2018 5-ton Sprinter vehicles that were upfitted into campers or...
- On certain model year 2012– 2018 5-ton Sprinter vehicles that were upfitted into campers or recreational...
- This letter stated that there were no Service Bulletins or Technical Service Bulletins issued for the...
- This letter stated that there was one (1) Service Notification issued for the month of October, 2017.
What 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
When this RV is driven in temperatures above 91 degrees it will suddenly and without warning have a major loss of power. Vehicle will not drive above 55 mph even though it was on cruise at 68 mph. Has been to over 6 Ford dealers in 3 years and no one can find the issue. very dangerous since it has to be on the road for this event to occur.
Compare the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass
Other model years
Questions about the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass
Is the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass reliable?
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass, 2.0 times a typical Compass model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass?
Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is fuel system (2).
How many recalls does the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Compass have?
2 recalls, covering electrical system and equipment.
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