2013 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (1) · Exterior Lighting (1)
Safety recalls (5)
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 2015-11-10 · campaign 15V745000 · 12,656 vehicles
Defect: 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 Wind
Risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:recreational Vehicle/Trailer 2014-03-18 · campaign 14V127000 · 241 vehicles
Defect: 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 heatin
Risk: If the microwave starts on its own and there are contents inside, a fire could result.
Fix: 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.
Equipment 2013-04-25 · campaign 13V164000 · 427 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
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
2019-12-23 · Visibility/Wiper · 1,500 mi“i have trouble with the windshield wipers since i first bought this rv. it will go past the windshield, and not come back up. i have tried to repair it, but it works itself loose. this is almost any time i use the wipers. i have to readjust them.…”
2015-02-12 · Exterior Lighting · 9,450 mi“i wish to report a potential fire hazard to 2013 thor challenger model 37kt motor homes. my wife and i purchased a new 2013 thor challenger model 37kt motor home in june, 2012. the unit did not come with led lighting. i wish to state that my wife and i are fulltime rv'ers. yesterday, february 11, 2015, my wife had been sitting for several …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.