ENTEGRA Complaints

The DEF head sensor failed giving a warning that the engine would be derated if the engine was not shut off. The safety hazard with a derated engine is that 5 mph is top speed, not only endangering my vehicle, plus other vehicles near by. The head sensor was replaced by Cummins after purchasing a replacement tank with a new head sensor attached. The purchase was made from Spartan, the manufacturer of the Chasis. Individual head sensors were not available due to a nationwide shortage. I was first made aware of a problem when a DEF warning buzzard and a check engine light started while driving down the interstate. I checked the DEF tank and found it to be 3/4 full and no leaks or noticeable problems. After Cummins replaced the tank with a new head sensor I was able to drive 2000 miles without another problem.

While driving across Florida, the “Check Engine” light and first of three DEF Head “Service Codes” on our 2018 Entegra Cornerstone 45’ RV came on, indicating that our Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) system had an issue. From previous social media posts from other Entegra Owners, we immediately contacted the chassis manufacturer, Spartan. They requested that we contact Cummins-Orlando, FL for a DEF Head replacement. Cummins-Orlando said they couldn’t get us in for three weeks, which wasn’t an option, as we were traveling and couldn’t wait three weeks. We contacted Cummins-Tampa, FL and Cummins-Jacksonville, FL, with both stating 2-3 weeks to get us in. By this time, the second of three DEF codes came on, so the situation was getting more dire. We finally got through to Cummins-Ocala, FL and they were able to squeeze us in the next day. The third of three DEF Codes came on during the relatively short drive to Ocala, FL, but we were able to get there before the RV went into “limp mode” which restricts your speed to 5mph!! We were extremely worried about being stranded on the busy interstate Highway in a vehicle the size of a Greyhound Bus, limping along at 5mph with 18-wheelers whizzing by at 70-75mph! This DEF Head issue has been going on for several years and doesn’t seem to be getting any better, even though the manufacturer is on their 7th Generation of DEF Head technology. Luckily, Spartan had the DEF Head in-stock and was able to overnight it to Cummins-Ocala, but many others have been held up for days/weeks due to a back order on the replacement DEF Heads. I feel that a recall should be issued on all DEF Heads prior to the 7th Generation, in order to avoid the safety issues associated with being stranded on the highway with a failed DEF Head.

DEF failure 7/28/2020. Can not drive Vehicle. Goes into slow mode There are warning lights and messages that state do not drive.

The contact owns a 2017 Spartan Entegra Cornerstone RV. The contact stated while starting the RV to leave a campsite, he became aware that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) system sensor head that needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced the sensor system however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the sensor was replaced again. The contact was concerned that the failure would recur. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

The DEF head unit failed on our Anthem and left us stranded on the road. These DEF heads are failing on diesel motorhomes across the country putting consumers in often dangerous situations along the nations highways. Shaw Industries is the sole provider for Spartan Chassis emission systems. We like many we had to wait weeks to get a new one. We had to buy a 5th generation DEF head and these are the ones that fail the most. The 7th generation which supposedly is the only reliable DEF head won’t work on our 2016 Anthem. Now we run the risk of another failure and being stranded possibly 1000’s of miles from home. Shaw Industries and Spartan have no accountability or legal reason to be held financially liable since RV’s don’t fall under the automobile industries US code compliance. The EPA and NHSTA needs to get this issue resolved ASAP. My 45 ft motor coach is a very large truck in which I pay ridiculous license fees to keep it on the road. This DEF head supplier has got to be held to the same reliability standards as the auto industry. If not then you should demand a recall on these units at Shaw Industries cost for replacement or reimbursement to owners who spent upwards of $1000+ to fix this issue. Please address this issue so diesel vehicle owners can enjoy the same protections we do for our gas vehicles. Thank you , Mike Arnold

DEF head failure in June 2021. 100 miles after Leaving Clemson, SC, check engine light came on and DEF head indicator turned orange. DEF tank was over 1/2 full. Talked to Spartan rep in the afternoon he said keep driving until you get 3 fault codes. Got parked that evening in Nancy, KY and had 5 error codes. Fortunately we were in a safe parking lot and not on the highway. Saturday morning Coach started but wouldn't go. Replacement was mailed from Spartan Monday to mobile repair unit in Kentucky. DEF head was replaced Wednesday AM and we were back on road by 10am. The DEF head failure seems to be an epidemic on Spartan RV chassis (and other vehicles). We had about 24,000 miles on engine and many of our RV friends had similar failure experiences.

Motorhome engine went into derate mode because of faulty DEF sensor. Spartan is the chassis manufacturer and advises this is a common problem with the DEF sensors. We have since learned there is a protocol to follow to keep engine from going to 5 MPH derate mode but did not know about this at time and Spartan apparently did not know it either because they advised just getting off the road ASAP. Luckily we avoided shut down on I-95 but if it occurred on a busy interstate the safety ramifications are enormous. It seems to me a safety recall should be issued on all vehicles with this defective part and the design changed so that if a failure occurs, reasonable advance notice should be incorporated in the design as I understand some trucks have.

While driving from Los Angeles to Phoenix on 03/07/2019, I received a series of check engine lights and warnings. These came and went , then eventually stayed on. When I got to the dealer in Phoenix, they sent me to an engine/chassis repair facility. The red stop engine light came on (with full derate to 5 mph) just as I pulled into the facility lot. (Whew!) The problem was a defective DEF head (codes 6255 derate 17 counts, 3868 def quality 59 counts, 4677 fluid level uprate 69 counts, 4572 temp uprate 69 counts). The shop had a new head overnighted from Spartan (took 3 days, actually) and repaired under warranty. I am reporting this because these heads are breaking in large numbers now, with a mandatory derate, and if it happens somewhere other than in a shop lot, Bad Things can happen. I understand that there is an investigation going on into this because of numerous failures. I am unwilling to take a long trip across the desert now because I might get stranded.

DEF head sensor. 5,800 miles on Spartan K2 450 Chassis (2020 Entegra Aspire). Have been told replacement part will not be available until mid-August. I was at an RV dealership when check engine light came on. Spoke to Spartan tech and he informed me that the DEF Head sensor was bad and that the vehicle would go into "derate mode". I was going to take my grandson on a camping trip the next week but had to cancel that. Additionally, was going to pick up my mother who is suffering early stage dementia in late July 2021. That's not happening either. This is the RV season right now and I am going to lose half of it due to this issue. And as I understand it there is nothing wrong with the DEF its just a bad sensor. What a crock of [XXX]! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) head failure. Diagnostics codes SPN 3364 / 1761 / 3031 The offending unit is not available from me, the mobile mechanic took it with him. My Motorcoach derated. I was able to get to a safe parking spot, where I waited one week to be repaired, (1000 miles from home) Could not move from that spot, as top speed was limited to 5 MPH. I was warned during travel by dashboard warning lights to check engine. It was good I was aware of potential DEF head issues, so I immediately checked the diagnostic codes, then immediately found a safe place to stop. I contacted Spartan, Entegra, and Coachnet, whom between them, acknowledged the problem and sent a replacement head. Once the head was replaced, fault codes were cleared and I was able to continue. So, other than the monitoring head itself being faulty, all the inputs the head monitored were fine.