NHTSA Complaint #10508910 — 2013 HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR

FAILURE OF RV MOTOR HOME ENGINE/TURBO EXHAUST BRAKING SYSTEM... (1) MANUFACTURER DID NOT INSTALL A DASH LIGHT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE BRAKE IS ACTIVE. THE DRIVER HAS TO GUESS WHETHER THE BRAKE IS ON OR OFF! (2) SUBJECT BRAKE CEASES TO FUNCTION AT ALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER (A RECURRING ELECTRICAL ISSUE) -- IF THIS OCCURS ON A MOUNTAIN GRADE IT CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUPANTS OF THE MOTOR HOME! (3) IF AND WHEN THE ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKE IS FUNCTIONING IT IS INEFFECTIVE IN ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO MAINTAIN SAFE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN ON MOUNTAIN GRADES. VEHICLE WILL ATTAIN SPEED OF 75 MPH OR GREATER EVEN WHILE THE DRIVER IS APPLYING (AND BURNING UP) THE VEHICLE AIR BRAKES. THIS SITUATION CAN AND WILL EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SUBSEQUENT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. I HAVE INFORMED NAVISTAR RV, THE MANUFACTURER OF HOLIDAY RAMBLER MOTOR HOMES, AND THREE INTERNATIONAL TRUCK (AFFILIATED WITH NAVISTAR LLC) REPAIR FACILITIES AND ALL HAVE STATED THAT THE ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKE IS FUNCTIONING AS INTENDED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALL NAVISTAR AND INTERNATIONAL TRUCK REPRESENTATIVES CONTACTED HAVE REFUSED MY INVITATION TO DRIVE OUR MOTOR HOME DOWN A MOUNTAIN GRADE! INCIDENTALLY, THIS IS OUR FIFTH MOTOR HOME SO I AM QUITE KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THE SUBJECT OF ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKING SYSTEM CAPABILITY! BOTTOM LINE IS THAT NAVISTAR RV AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES HAVE ENGINEERED A ENGINE/EXHAUST BRAKING SYSTEM THAT IS INCAPABLE OF CONTROLLING A 42 FOOT 40,000 LB MOTOR HOME AND ACCOMPANYING 6,000 LB TOW VEHICLE WHEN TRAVELING ON MOUNTAIN GRADES, PARTICULARLY THOSE GRADES OF 6-7% OR GREATER AND 3-4 MILES IN LENGTH THAT ARE QUITE COMMON IN THE WESTERN STATES . HOPEFULLY YOU WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO QUICKLY AND THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. UPDATED 05/01/13*LJ *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL, AND ENGINE BRAKE WERE INOPERATIVE. THE AIR AND HYDRAULIC LEVELING SYSTEM DID NOT LEVEL THE COACH PROPERLY/ THE SO