NHTSA Complaint #10747016 — 2016 FOREST RIVER CHARLESTON

THIS MOTORHOME WAS PURCHASED AT THE END OF MAY 2015. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS OFF TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SOME TIME IT WAS APPARENT THAT THE CONDITION WAS GETTING WORSE. I SCHEDULED THE MOTORHOME FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN THIS MORNING FOR THAT ALIGNMENT. IMMEDIATELY UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE ALIGNMENT TECHNICIAN SHOWED ME THAT THE TIE ROD TUBE THAT CONNECTS THE FRONT WHEELS HAD NEVER BEEN TIGHTENED BY THE MANUFACTURER. SINCE THIS TUBE WAS ALLOWED TO FREELY ROTATE, GIVEN ENOUGH TIME, THE STEERING WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE THE TUBE HAD UNSCREWED TO THE END OF IT'S TRAVEL. THIS MAY BE A DEFECT ON OTHER VEHICLES OR IT MAY BE UNIQUE TO THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE ADVISED OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/24/2015*JS