NHTSA Complaint #11040852 — 2017 THOR MOTOR COACH CHALLENGER

WE HAVE OWNED OUR VEHICLE FOR 14 MONTHS WITH UNDER 7000 MILES DRIVEN AND USED APPROXIMATELY 12 TIMES FOR TRIPS. WHILE WE WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE, THE TRIMARK ENTRY DOOR LATCH BROKE LEAVING 3 PEOPLE TRAPPED INSIDE AND ME OUTSIDE. I HAD TO CLIMB THROUGH A WINDOW USING A LADDER WITH TOOLS TO DISASSEMBLE THE LOCK AND PRY OUT THE BROKEN PLUNGER PART. I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE THAT REPRESENTS THE PART OF THE LATCH THAT BROKE. CURRENTLY, A DEADBOLT IS KEEPING THE DOOR CLOSE AND AM ALSO USING A VELCRO STRAP TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM OPENING WHILE TRAVELING. SINCE IT HAS BEEN 14 MONTHS SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW, I AM OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, AFTER DOING RESEARCH THE REPLACEMENT PART BEING OFFERED IS THE EXACT SAME MECHANISM THAT OTHERS HAVE INDICATED HAS THE SAME ISSUE AFTER THEY HAVE REPLACED, SOME MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE CALLED THOR MOTORCOACH AND THEY KNEW EXACTLY THE ISSUE AND I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED TO BUY A NEW DOOR LATCH ASSEMBLY. TRIMARK IS OFFERING A NEWER REPLACEMENT PART NUMBER 37575-01-K WITH A REDESIGNED STEEL PLUNGER AND CHARGING $201. I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE BY TRAPPING PEOPLE EITHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.