NHTSA Complaint #11494085 — 2022 THOR MOTOR COACH PALAZZO

The Thor Palazzo has 2 braces in the front "nose" area of the coach-these braces are metal brackets that attach the front fiberglass nose to the area that contains the generator and fans for the air conditioner and other front-end components. These braces attach at both ends: the front part of the brace attaches w/ screws to a piece of wood that is then screwed into the fiberglass on the very front of the motorhome. The back side of the brace is attached w/ screws to a metal piece. This bracket acts as a support to the front windshield of the coach. This piece of metal on the passenger side of the motorhome came completely off & was drug under the front of the motorhome. Luckily, we were at an intersection when this happened and were able to retrieve the piece of metal. Had this piece came off when we were driving on the interstate, it could have been deadly. The piece measures about 15" in length & is heavy metal. It could have damaged the motorhome, tow vehicle, cars driving around us or become a projectile and flew into the windshields of cars behind us injuring others. We found the other bracket on the driver's side to be detached on one side and it pulled off with little resistance using one hand, so it was close to coming off as well. The brackets are attached with screws that had either come loose, had been sheared off or were missing. We had a couple of screws that were hanging underneath the front fiberglass nose. We have taken this to our dealership where it is currently being worked on and Thor Motor Coach has been notified. In searching this online, this has happened to several other Palazzo owners, but the design is still being used. We had no notice that this was an issue until it happened to us. Without the brackets, the windshield is not supported as it should be and driving to the dealership we had quite a bit of movement in the motorhome windshield.