NHTSA Complaint #11061578 — 2013 THOR MOTOR COACH HURRICANE

I HAVE A 2013 THOR HURRICANE CLASS A MOTOR HOME. THE DOOR HANDLE AND LOCK WERE MADE BY TRIMARK; PART NUMBER 060-0650. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT I COULD NOT OPEN THE ENTRANCE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE ONLY DOOR ON THE MOTOR HOME, WHICH IS VERY COMMON WITH CLASS A'S. I THEN HAD TO CRAWL THROUGH A WINDOW TO GAIN ACCESS AND DISCOVERED I COULDN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE EITHER. THE MOTOR HOME WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER TAKING OFF THE INSIDE DOOR TRIM, I COULD SEE THAT OPERATING THE HANDLE WAS NOT MOVING THE PLUNGER OUT OF THE STRIKE PLATE, THUS MAKING THE DOOR IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN. AFTER USING A SMALL TOOL AND A PIECE OF STIFF WIRE I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE PLUNGER AWAY FROM THE STRIKE PLATE AND THEN OPENED THE DOOR. WHEN THE DOOR OPENED THE BROKEN PLUNGER FLEW OUT FROM THE LOCK (THERE IS A SPRING BEHIND IT). IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE PLUNGER ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN INTERNALLY. IT TOOK ME A HALF AN HOUR TO OPEN THE DOOR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND A NUMBER OF RV OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS LOCK. THIS SITUATION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF INSIDE THE MOTOR HOME AND NEED TO ESCAPE IN AN EMERGENCY. WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES EVEN ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE (NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 15V-510) AND TRIMARK HAS DISCONTINUED THIS MODEL LOCK. I AM URGING YOUR AGENCY TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND ISSUE A RECALL FROM ALL MOTOR HOME MANUFACTURERS USING THIS LOCK. I HAVE INCLUDED PICTURES OF THE LOCK WHERE THE PLUNGER SHOULD BE AND THE BROKEN PLUNGER ITSELF. ALSO INCLUDED IS A WEB PAGE FROM TRIMARK SHOWING THIS LOCK HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL.