2017 THOR MOTOR COACH ACE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTRY DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILED TO LOCK THE RV DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *DT*JB*PM CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A FAULTY LATCH.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD F-53. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTRY DOOR LATCH MECHANISM FAILED TO LOCK THE RV DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. *DT*JB*PM CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A FAULTY LATCH.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR ACE RV EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR G6T0RV TIRES, SIZE: 245/17/R19.5 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER WITH A COMPACT VEHICLE INSIDE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DUAL TIRE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. DURING THE TIRE BLOWOUT, WIRES CONNECTING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM THAT WERE LOCATED IN THE WHEEL WELL WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE CAUSED ALL THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TO SHUT OFF, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE WIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 THOR ACE RV EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR G6T0RV TIRES, SIZE: 245/17/R19.5 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND TOWING A TRAILER WITH A COMPACT VEHICLE INSIDE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DUAL TIRE SUDDENLY EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. DURING THE TIRE BLOWOUT, WIRES CONNECTING THE LIGHTING SYSTEM THAT WERE LOCATED IN THE WHEEL WELL WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE CAUSED ALL THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING TO SHUT OFF, WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM SEEING THE ROAD AT NIGHT. THE WIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE OWNER. THE MANUFACTURER AND AN UNKNOWN DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

THE ELECTRICAL WIRING WITHIN THE MOTOR COACH IS NOT TO NFPA'S NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE NOR IS IT WIRED TO THOR'S OWN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. IN ADDITION, THE APPLIANCES WITHIN THE COACH ARE NOT WIRED TO THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE APPLIANCE MANUFACTURER. OUR MOTOR COACH EXPERIENCED A SHORTED WIRE IN THE WATER HEATER JUNCTION BOX DUE TO IMPROPER SPLICING IN AN AREA WHERE NO SPLICING SHOULD HAVE BEEN NECESSARY. THAT SAME ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WHICH, PER THE NEC AND THOR'S FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON A DEDICATED BREAKER, WAS NOT ON A DEDICATED BREAKER WHICH COULD HAVE ALLOWED THE AMPERAGE IN THE JUNCTION BOX TO EXCEED THE BREAKER'S CAPACITY AND HEAT TO THE POINT OF DISINTEGRATING THE WIRE'S INSULATION LEAVING A BARE WIRES. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY LED TO A FIRE. NOT ONLY HAS THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF USE OF THE APPLIANCE, BUT HAS ALSO RESULTED IN COMPLETE LOSS OF FAITH THAT THE REST OF THE MOTOR HOME IS SAFE FOR HABITATION OR FOR TRAVEL ON PUBLIC ROADS. THIS IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER.