NHTSA Complaint #11706718 — 2017 GRAND DESIGN SOLITUDE

The contact owns a 2017 Grand Design Solitude. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware of a gap in the corner of the RV overhang, in the transition to the vehicle upper deck down to the lower deck. The contact became aware of movement underneath the fiberglass. Additionally, the contact stated that the bedroom doors were stuck, but upon setting the RV down on the jack stands, the doors became functional. There were several cracks in the aluminum frame and in the welds. The contact had contacted a welder, who performed welding on the defective areas. The RV was taken to the dealer, who sent more pictures of the failure to the manufacturer. The dealer replaced the front aluminum frame and the pilon underneath the fiber glass; however, the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact noticed that the bedroom flooring had become raised. The RV was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were more fractures in the beams underneath the bedroom, and that the fractures were extensive. The dealer forwarded a claim to the manufacturer with pictures of the failure; however, the claim was denied. The RV was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE24029 (Structure). The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.