2016 Thor Motor Coach Windsport problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility/Wiper (5) · Suspension (1) · Structure (1)
Safety recalls (8)
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System 2016-03-07 · campaign 16V139000 · 385 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Hurricane and Windsport motor homes manufactured January 30, 2013, to March 6, 2015. In the affected motor homes, the vehicle exhaust is located near a storage compartment where heat may build-up, causing the compartment to melt.
Risk: Heat build-up in the vehicle storage compartment increases the risk of fire.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a heat shield to prevent heat build-up in the storage compartment. The recall began on April 20, 2016. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000112.
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.
Seats 2015-05-07 · campaign 15V265000 · 56 vehicles
Defect: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Hurricane and Windsport motorhomes manufactured March 10, 2015, to March 24, 2015. In the affected motorhomes, the co-pilot seats may be attached to the floor of the motorhome in an area that is not properly reinforced.
Risk: If the floor at the attachment point is not properly reinforced, the seat base mounting may loosen over time, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a reinforcement plate at the co-pilot seat mounting bolt location, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000101.
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
2022-10-24 · Visibility/Wiper“the windshield wipers get out of sync and collide, usually it ends up with the passenger wiper stuck down behind the driver's wiper and they both stop with no way to clear the rain from the windshield. there have been recalls issued for my model & year of rv but thor says they don't apply to my rv. this has happened several times. my "solution"…”
2022-08-25 · Suspension“this is a 2016 thor windsport 29m with 9400 miles. missing parts/damaged parts were discovered during normal maintenance check by certified ase mechanic. rt rear anti sway bar retainer (#5486), (2) hb3 bolts and (1) welded flange nuts are missing from motorhome. additional inspection revels top welded flange nut missing due to weld not holding or…”
2021-11-07 · Visibility/Wiper“while driving during a rain storm both wipers stopped working. drivers wiper fell to drivers side resting on side rear view mirror and passengers fell down front of the rv. pulled over and stopped until rain stopped. after looking in engine compartment the hardware that connects both wiper arms to the motor broke off from where the wipers arms conn…”
2021-05-12 · Power Train · 14,000 mi“motorhome came out of park and began to roll down private driveway unexpectedly after the shift lever was pulled down without the key in the ignition or the brakes applied. owner was able to get inside and apply brakes preventing any damage to property or life.…”
2019-07-04 · Unknown Or Other · 15,500 mi“when wiper blades are turned on in the highway, the wiper go down too far and get stuck below the windshield. unable to use the wipers.…”
2018-10-02 · Visibility/Wiper · 17,000 mi“on freeway, wind and rain--wipers became entangled. self repaired to get home. taken to dealer for repair (recall). still not operating properly. taken in for second recall--still not working properly. had the wipers readjusted again. in rain on 10/01/2018--wipers flopping and not making good contact...safety issue!!! from 2016 to present we…”
2018-06-26 · Structure“cpsc: upon climbing up i heard a noise and didnt think much of it. when i was coming down i heard more noise and noticed the screws holding the ladder to the rv were coming out. when i got to the bottom it was worse than i thought. *dt the consumer stated the ladder was separating from the rv. also, the tubes holding the ladder to the rv wer…”
2016-08-12 · Visibility/Wiper · 500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2016 thor windsport. while driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and became extremely unstable. the contact indicated that screws in the windshield wipers had dislodged due to the severe shaking from the vehicle. also, while driving, the transmission shifted improperly and caused the vehicle to lose power and not accelera…”
2016-06-12 · Visibility/Wiper · 3,000 mi“passenger side windshield wiper slams down underneath the drivers side wiper causing all wiper action to cease during rainstorms. creates a deadly issue while driving an 11 ton unit down the road.. i believe there is a design flaw with the system - too thin of a mounting plate for the wiper motor allowing too much flex which allows wiper linkage …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.