2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (7)
Safety recalls (6)
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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2017-09-07 · campaign 17V555000 · 1,105 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer 2017-03-13 · campaign 17V162000 · 8,617 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2015-10-30 · campaign 15V719000 · 209 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ace, Challenger, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport vehicles manufactured July 14, 2015, to October 16, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners on TMC's behalf, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000110.
Parking Brake 2015-10-23 · campaign 15V699000 · 17 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Challenger, Hurricane and Windsport motorhomes manufactured July 31, 2015, to September 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the parking brake actuator may be out of calibration causing the parking brake system to not properly hold the vehicle even with the parking brake pedal fully depressed. Additionally, the parking brake may not disengage completely when the parking brake pedal is released.
Risk: If the parking brake does not fully engage, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. A parking brake that drags may result in a wheel end fire.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake foot pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000107.
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
2021-09-07 · Visibility/Wiper“windshield wipers get stuck in the up position. going highway speed in heavy rain. lost visibility. spoke with larry long with nhtsa. he advised that i make this report and that there are active recalls for this problem.…”
2021-05-24 · Visibility/Wiper“windshield wipers stopped working during a rainstorm. the passenger side was stuck below the windshield and caused the driver side to also stop operating.…”
2021-03-16 · Visibility/Wiper · 26,000 mi“windshield wipers failed to work while traveling in rain conditions. the passenger wiper travels into the driver side wipers mechanism and prevents them from working. this has occurred on multiple occasions after being "fixed" by thor under a recall. never have they replaced the system, only washers and tightened bolts. traveling in the rain at…”
2020-11-05 · Visibility/Wiper · 18,000 mi“windshield wipers stopped working during rainstorm. they were stuck, the driver side was past the front windshield on the left and the passenger side was stuck in the middle of the windshield but lower than the windshield itself. the consumer stated the windshield wiper was replaced by dealer at no cost.…”
2019-07-25 · Visibility/Wiper · 16,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 thor challenger rv. while driving various speeds, the passenger side windshield wiper linkage was loose and became locked with the driver's side wiper. the failure obstructed the contact's view. there were no warning indicators illuminated. the contact called camping world of tampa (4811 mcintosh rd, dover, fl 33527, (88…”
2018-10-20 · Visibility/Wiper · 16,782 mi“the wiper blades malfunction. when driving with the wipers on, the right wiper gets stuck under the left wiper and both become inoperable. we have been caught in heavy rains several times with the same results. i went from 26 inch wiper blades to 21 inch blades and the same thing happened. i have removed the right side wiper, and use the left wiper…”
2017-07-12 · Visibility/Wiper · 8,548 mi“wipers flop to one side and get stuck. took to the dealer for recall and still not fixed. has been a problem since new.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.