NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR Complaints

Hooked camper up to our tow vehicle. Went inside to prepare to leave our storage. Husband turned the propane on and I pressed Further start button on the refrigerator once the pilot light ignited. After less than one minute an error message began beeping on the digital LCD pad to alert that there was a disconnect from the power source being used. Five seconds later it stopped, and the LCD went blank. I shouted to my husband to check the propane because the refrigerator had stopped and he confirmed that it was still running. I hit the start button again several times and nothing occurred. As I turned to go out the door I noticed a faint, small plume of smoke. My husband rushed in and did confirm a slight ozone smell before turning back outside to note smoke from the top vent where the refrigerator lies. He immediately shut the propane off and returned to remove the upper vent while I grabbed the fire extinguisher. As I returned, I immediately noticed flames and smoke from the lower vent. My husband quickly removed that vent cover and extinguish the fire with the extinguisher. Once out, he returned inside to turn off the circuit breakers, followed by unplugging the refrigerator cord from the wall, which is accessible through the lower vent. We thoroughly inspected the entire slide to be assured the fire was completely extinguished. I made a claim to Progressive the next day. We arranged to have a progressive inspector look at the camper at our local RV service center Harler Auto and Glen’s RV service in Romeo Michigan. The assigned inspector, Andy M made his assessment on Friday, XXX and called us the same afternoon to inform us that based on his inspection, it was determined that the damages were due to and confined to a mechanical/electrical failure, and not the result of a sudden, direct, and accidental loss. He was confident that this was due to a manufacturing defect and informed me that there were multiple known recalls on this particular product.

The contact owns a 2023 Jayco North Point Travel Trailer equipped with a Norcold refrigerator, Model Number: 2118SST, Serial Number: NR07DS0. The contact discovered a yellow fluid leaking from the outside of the trailer due to a refrigerator propane line leak. The refrigerator was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V784000 (Equipment); however, the year, make, and model of the RV were not associated with the recall. The RV manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the refrigerator manufacturer was not made aware of the failure since the manufacturer had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Upon attempting to leave campground at approximately 10am on April 19, 2025, unplugged electrical from RV and switched over to gas. The Norcold refrigerator caught fire within minutes of the switch over (apparently in the amount of time it took the gas to travel from the tanks to the fridge). Fortunately, I was able to disconnect the gas hoses from the tanks immediately upon noticing the flames and we were able to douse the fire with extinguishers. However, the RV has suffered some damage to the vents, and the fridge is fried. There was also a strong stench of ammonia, and we evacuated the area momentarily until it dissipated. I have made multiple attempts to include emails and completing online forms through Norcold / Thetford (as they cannot be reached directly via telephone) and they have yet to respond, and it has been 3 1/2 weeks! I do not feel that I should have to file a claim with my RV insurance carrier, pay deductibles, and have my premiums raised due to a defect. I purchased this RV on 9/15/2021 and have never received any recall information and only discovered there had been recalls on Norcold Polar Max refrigerators after entering a google search. If we had been asleep, the chances of having fatal injuries due to this defect would have been high. If we had been traveling, the risks of losing the entire rig, vehicle, our lives, and the lives of others on the highway would have been much higher. Any help in getting this immediately resolved will be greatly appreciated as we have had to cancel any future use of the rig until a resolution has been concluded with the manufacturer of the refrigerator. There were witnesses to this incident in the campground and I have contact information, if needed.

After the gas powered fridge was turned on. Approximately an hour later the back side of the unit was in flames causing extensive damage and totaling the RV. The failure of the equipment caused the fire. This problem has been ongoing with similar models and is well documented. Has been investigated by a Fire Inspector.

I OWN A 2014 WINNEBAGO ERA 70X. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD TO HAVE MY NORCOLD N3104 REFRIGERATOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN JANUARY 2014. NOW AGAIN THE REFRIGERATOR HAS FAILED DUE TO BLACKENED OVERHEATED CIRCUIT BOARD DUE TO FAILURE OF 12V PORTION OF THE 3 WAY REFRIGERATOR. NORCOLD SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL BOARD ANT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $700 FOR THE PART ALONE!! I AM HESITANT TO ORDER THE PART SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH NORCOLD. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS. I AM LEANING TOWARDS ADDING A LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO PREVENT OVERHEATING WITH THE NEXT REFRIGERATOR THAT IS MANUFACTURED BY A COMPANY CALLED ARP. HER IS A LINK TO THEIR WEB SITE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING MY REFRIGERATOR - HTTPS://WWW.ARPRV.COM/N3104-N3150-NO-12-VOLT-HEATER.PHP

CPSC: NORCOLD INC: THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE REFRIGERATOR INSTALLATION THAT CAUSED A FIRE. *SS UPON INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARED THE FIRE STARTED AT THE TOP OF THE UNIT IN THE REAR LEFT CORNER. *JB

OUR RV NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR'S ALARM SOUNDED. THE FAULT SAYS NO CO--NO COOLING UNIT. NORCOLD SENT THE HIGH TEMPERATURE SENSOR PART AS OUR REFRIGERATOR/COOLING UNIT IS UNDER RECALL; IT WAS INSTALLED BY RV SERVICE CENTER ON 8/8/13. THIS WEEK END OUT CAMPING THE ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN; IT WAS RESET BY RV OWNER, BUT ALARM SOUNDED AGAIN. THE OWNER CAN ONLY RESET IT ONCE AFTER THAT IT GOES TO RV SERVICE CENTER FOR RESETTING. MY CLAIM NUMBER FOR NORCOLD IS 580811 FOR THE PART. WE THOUGHT WITH THE NEW PART INSTALLED THE ALARM WOULDN'T GO OFF AGAIN. THANKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 KEYSTONE MONTANA 3750FL EQUIPPED WITH A NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR, SERIAL NUMBER 12711643. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR MALFUNCTIONED AND IT FAILED TO COOL ITS CONTENTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10E049000 ( EQUIPMENT) ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE EQUIPMENT WAS NOT REPAIRED. *TR

NORCOLD ISSUED A RECALL AT THE END OF LAST YEAR FOR OVER HEATING AND FIRES. I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR DONE TWICE AND THE REFRIGERATOR FAILED TO WORK FOR THE 3RD TIME TODAY. IT IS NOT EASY TO TAKE THIS IN FOR REPAIRS AND IS VERY UPSETTING TO NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE MOTORHOME AND HAVING TO STOP AND CANCEL YOUR TRIP AND RETURN HOME.NORCOLD NEEDS TO HAVE A PROPER FIX FOR THIS RECALL OR REPLACE REFRIGERATOR. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A NORCOLD RV REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NUMBER: 1200 RM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE DUE TO A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE.. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 02E044000 (EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE REFRIGERATOR. THE TECHNICIAN SENT PICTURES OF THE REFRIGERATOR TO THE MANUFACTURER THEN DETERMINED THAT A FIRE DID NOT OCCUR. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS TO THE REFRIGERATOR.