NHTSA Complaint #10225700 — 2007 FLEETWOOD AVALON

NO INCIDENTS, CRASHES, OR INJURIES - THIS COMPLAINT INVOLVES A RECALL NOTICE AND THE REMEDY. FLEETWOOD SENT US A RECALL ON OUR 2007 AVALON, AS THE POWER LIFT WAS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRAILER WHEN IT IS POWERED BY THE 30A (110V) POWER SUPPLY. I SPOKE WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICES PERSON (BILL) IN THE SOMERSET, PA, PLANT WHO STATED THAT THE LIFT WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE USED WITH THE 110V POWER, BECAUSE IT CREATES TOO MUCH TORQUE WHICH CAN SHEAR THE STOPS AND CAUSE THE ROOF TO FALL DOWN. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE REMEDY IS TO INSTALL A LOWER TORQUE UNIT, AND PLACE TWO STICKERS WARNING THE OWNER/OPERATOR NOT TO USE THE POWER LIFT (YES, EVEN THE NEW-LOWER TORQUE VERSION) WITH THE 110V AS DAMAGE CAN STILL OCCUR. IT IS ONLY TO BE USED WITH THE 12V POWER SUPPLY. THIS UPSET ME AS CUSTOMER, AND I TOLD HIM THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE SOLUTION IS NO BETTER THAN THE PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF THE DAMAGE CAN STILL OCCUR IF THE OWNER/OPERATOR MISTAKENLY USES THE 110V POWER SUPPLY INSTEAD OF THE INTENDED 12V SUPPLY. THE INTENT OF THE STICKER IS TO ALLOW FLEETWOOD TO AVOID ANY FURTHER LIABILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT, AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. IF THE POWER LIFT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE OPERATED WITH THE 110V POWER SUPPLY, THEN WHY IS IT CONNECTED TO THE 110V POWER SUPPLY. IF IT IS INTENDED TO OPERATE SOLELY OFF OF THE 12V POWER SUPPLY, THEN IT SHOULD BE HOOKED UP ONLY TO THAT POWER SUPPLY. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE MOST APPROPRIATE FIX, AND WOULD HAVE TRULY RESOLVED ANY AND ALL POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. THE CURRENT REMEDY IN NOT ACCEPTABLE. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU, WILLIAM D BERKLEY *TR