2013 Thor Motor Coach Ace problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1) · Service Brakes (1) · Fuel System, Gasoline (1)
Safety recalls (3)
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2018-10-09 · campaign 18V705000 · 2,854 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2013 Thor Ace, Daybreak, Challenger, Windsport, Hurricane, Outlaw, Tuscany, and Palazzo motorhomes. The windshield wiper system may have been incorrectly installed, causing the wipers to fail during use, reducing driver visibility.
Risk: A reduction of driver visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will verify that the windshield wiper system is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the wiper system as needed, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000161.
Equipment 2017-11-22 · campaign 17V758000 · 110,400 vehicles
Defect: 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: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. 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
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2016-08-02 · campaign 16V571000 · 5,633 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2012-2017 Ace, 2013 Citation, 2012-2013 Siesta and 2017 Four Winds and Road Bear Rental motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with shower curtains that may not adequately resist catching fire in the presence of an ignition source. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 302, "Flammability of Interior Materials."
Risk: A flammable shower curtain may further fuel a fire, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shower curtains with curtains made with fire retardant, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020. Thor's number for this recall is RC000121.
Service bulletins (2)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Equipment 2019-12-05 · LTR 120519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this letter stated that there were no service bulletins or technical service bulletins issued for the month of november, 2019.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2017-11-03 · LTR 110317 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this letter stated that there was one (1) service notification issued for the month of october, 2017.
What owners report
2013-07-31 · Service Brakes · 3,800 mi · 🔥 fire“while driving a 2013 thor ace motor home at 60 mph i heard beeping noise in the drivers area. while trying to figure out the source i discovered the motor home was on fire under the right front. the leveling system had turned on the hydraulic pump and one of the return lines was leaking. the resulting high pressure hydraulic fluid was spraying on t…”
2013-07-31 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 3,318 mi · 🔥 fire“i was driving on 8e freeway at 55 mph when i noticed the interior of the motorhome filling with black smoke and the smoke detector started going off. black smoke was pouring off the back of the motorhome as well. i pulled over to the shoulder and got my wife two grandkids and two dogs out of the vehicle. upon exiting i found the right front of the …”
2013-06-27 · Fuel System, Gasoline“i am extremely concerned that running gas lines into and then out of an oil cooler that is attached to the front of the radiator at the front of a vehicle is not safe. any front end collision could cause these new lines and or the oil cooler to break creating the potential for a fire. i am attaching two pictures in the first you can see the oil coo…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.