2011 TIFFIN PHAETON — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owned a 2011 Tiffin Phaeton motorhome equipped with Michelin tires, Tire line: Green X, Tire size: 275/80R22.5, and DOT number: M5EJOOEX3815. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the front passenger's side tire had a blowout, which caused the RV to crash into a utility pole, trees, and then stop after crashing into a fence. The contact and his wife, who was a passenger, were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact had a scratch above his eye, while his wife suffered three broken ribs, bruised, and stitches on her arms and legs. A police report was filed. The RV was hauling a double-decker trailer, a 2017 Lincoln MKZ, and a Boston Whaler, which were towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Prior to the failure, the rear passenger's side tire had a blowout and the manufacturer covered half the cost of replacement.

MICHELIN XZA3 275 80 R22.5 EXHIBITING SIDE WALL CRACKING, AND THE APPEARANCE OF CROSS HATCH PATTERN ON THE SIDE WALLS. DOT M5 EJ BVNX 1810. TIRES IN USE ON A 2011 TIFFIN MOTORHOME AND HAVE 18100 MILES ON THEM. MICHELIN LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND WILL REPLACE THEM OFFERING A 43% ADJUSTMENT WHICH IN REALITY IS CLOSER TO A 25% ADJUSTMENT BASED ON WHAT THE TIRES CAN BE PURCHASED FOR VS MSRP. THESE TIRES PRESENT A POTENTIAL FOR SIDEWALL FAILURE. I BELIEVE MICHELIN SHOULD BE MORE PRO ACTIVE IN ADDRESSING WHAT IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES IN RV USE. *TR

THE MOTOR HOME MANUFACTURER IS TIFFIN MOTOR HOMES, RED BAY ALABAMA, THE COACH IS BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS BUILT BY FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE PROBLEM IS EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE COACH PRODUCING A STRONG DIESEL EXHAUST FUMES ODOR AND PROBABLY CARBON MONOXIDE. OUR RESEARCH INTO THIS PROBLEM INDICATES THAT THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE COACH DURING THE REGENERATION CYCLE . WE BELIEVE THERE ARE TWO ISSUES INVOLVED. #1 THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE TURBOCHARGER AND THE DEF CATALYST SYSTEM. (WE BELIEVE THIS IS A FREIGHTLINER PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY BUILT THE ENGINE, EXHAUST SYSTEM AND CHASSIS). #2 THERE ARE LEAKS IN THE FLOOR, SIDEWALLS, COMPARTMENT OPENINGS OR ACCESS PANELS ALLOWING THE FUMES TO ENTER THE COACH. (WE BELIEVE THIS IS A TIFFIN MOTOR HOME PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY BUILT THE COACH). WE WILL ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE BOTH ISSUES WITH A VISIT TO TIFFIN AND FREIGHTLINER. WE ARE CONCERNED FROM A HEALTH AND SAFETY POINT OF VIEW. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON I-68 WEST BOUND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, ABOUT MILE MAKER 67 NOTICE A WOOD BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE IN REAR OF MOTOR HOME. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AT EXIT 68. WENT TO REAR OF MOTOR HOME AND SAW FIRE THRU REAR HATCH ON DRIVER SIDE AROUND ENGINE BY EXHAUST. CALLED 911, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED BUT MOTOR HOME WAS A TOTALLY LOSE. ALSO RECALL WAS DONE ON 08-22-2011, MILEAGE AT RECALL WAS 6125 MILES. MAY RELATE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V416000 COMPONENT ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING AND EXHAUST PIPE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON I-68 WEST BOUND IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, ABOUT MILE MAKER 67 NOTICE A WOOD BURNING SMELL AND SAW SMOKE IN REAR OF MOTOR HOME. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AT EXIT 68. WENT TO REAR OF MOTOR HOME AND SAW FIRE THRU REAR HATCH ON DRIVER SIDE AROUND ENGINE BY EXHAUST. CALLED 911, FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED BUT MOTOR HOME WAS A TOTALLY LOSE. ALSO RECALL WAS DONE ON 08-22-2011, MILEAGE AT RECALL WAS 6125 MILES. MAY RELATE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 11V416000 COMPONENT ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING AND EXHAUST PIPE. *TR