NHTSA Complaint #10679446 — 2012 COACHMEN PRISM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 COACHMEN PRISM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PROPANE TANKS SHIELD WELD HAD FRACTURED AND WAS HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT USED BUNGEE CORDS TO TEMPORARILY HOLD UP THE SHIELD UNTIL HE REACHED THE CLOSEST REPAIR FACILITY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ORIGINAL WELDS THAT HELD THE TANK WERE OF VERY POOR QUALITY. THE MECHANIC RELOCATED THE TANK ABOVE OF THE ANGLE ARM INSTEAD OF BELOW IT AND BOLTED THE TANK TO PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM RECURRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 03/24/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH WELDS BROKE AT DIFFERNET TIMES BETEWEEN A HEAT DETECTION SHIELD BETWEEN THE PROPANE TANK AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. UPDATED 05/26/15*JB