NHTSA Complaint #10157684 — 2006 AIRSTREAM CLASSIC

ON 28 APRIL 06 I TOOK DELIVERY OF A 30 AIRSTREAM CLASSIC TRAILER FROM BATES RV, TAMPA, FL. A FEW DAYS AFTER WE TRAVELED TO OUR RESIDENCE IN CRESTVIEW, FL I NOTICED THAT THE ROADSIDE REAR WHEEL WAS COVERED WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE BLACK BRAKE DUST. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER QUICKLY, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO ARRANGE A SERVICE INSPECTION BY LEISURE TIME RV, FORT WALTON BEACH,FL. THE UNIT WAS DELIVERED FOR WARRANTY SERVICE/INSPECTION THIS MORNING. EARLY THIS AFTERNOON I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT THEY FOUND THE BOTTOM BOLT IN THE CALIPER ASSEMBLY MISSING AND THAT THE TOP BOLT WAS VERY LOOSE. MY DEALER, BATES RV IN TAMPA,FL PROVIDED EVERY ASSISTANCE IN ARRANGING SHIPMENT OF REPLACEMENT PART, AND WAS VERY REGRETFUL AND EMBARRASSED BY THIS APPARENT TOTAL LACK OF QUALITY CONTROL IN THE AIRSTREAM FACTORY. THIS DEFECT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUSED A FIRE OR A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. AGAIN, I RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED AN IMMEDIATE NOTICE BE ISSUED VOLUNTARILY OR MANDATED BY YOUR AGENCY TO HAVE ALL POSSIBLY AFFECTED UNITS RECALLED FOR THOROUGH SAFETY INSPECTIONS. IN YOUR RESPONSE TO ME, PLEAS E COPY MY WORK EMAIL ADDRESS, WHICH IS [email protected]. IN RETROSPECT, I THINK MOST PARTIES WILL AGREE THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO MAKE THE 400 MILE TRIP FROM TAMPA TO OUR HOME IN CRESTVIEW WITHOUT MAJOR INCIDENT OR ACCIDENT. I REQUEST THIS MATTER BE IMMEDIATELY INVESTIGATED AND APPROPRIATE ACTION FORCED ON THE MANUFACTURER, AIRSTREAM WHICH IS A SUBSIDIARY OF THOR INDUSTRIES. HATE TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO OTHER OWNERS OF NEW AIRSTREAM TRAILERS. *NM *AK UPDATED 06/05/06