GRAND DESIGN Complaints

Frame flex on the hitch . Wall separating behind the hitch . NHTSA is investigating Grand Design trailer . Have broken weld on the frame .

This is a Fifth wheel RV a 2021 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS. The Steel "I" Beam frame is developing cracks in the I Beam in the area of the spring hangers for the axles. This is yet to actually case an accident but may very well lead to one if the cracking worsens and the frame fails. Frame failure at highway speed is an obvious concern. This is something I believe is caused by defective parts made by LCI (Lippert) Corp. and used by Grand Design. This frame failure is not uncommon and based on my continuing research is happening on hundreds if not thousands of these RV's. Raising awareness and requiring Grand Design to recall and repair / replace these defective frames is the ultimate goal. Please zoom in on the pictures to see one of the cracks in the frame.

Overview: This complaint is being submitted in response to alarming and persistent structural failures experienced in our 2023 Grand Design Momentum fifth wheel RV, purchased new in January 2023 from Lazydays RV in Tampa, FL. Despite receiving a factory service bulletin (TSB) and subsequent repairs under warranty, our unit has continued to exhibit excessive frame flex, wall and floor deformation, compromised slide operations, and related structural issues. The failures not only impact the unit’s functionality and safety but raise concerns about a broader systemic issue with the frame design and manufacturing integrity of Grand Design RVs. Our documented repair history and recurring defects suggest these problems stem from substandard frame construction and flex-related design flaws, rather than isolated workmanship errors. Final Remarks: We are not the only owners reporting these failures. Online forums and recent class action filings against Grand Design point to a concerning trend of recurring frame failures that the company appears unwilling or unable to resolve comprehensively. As consumers, we have exhausted all reasonable efforts to seek a resolution through the manufacturer and authorized third-party repair channels. It is our belief that these ongoing frame flex problems represent a safety hazard and require urgent federal oversight and regulatory action to ensure no further units are sold with such defects. We welcome a physical inspection of our unit by NHTSA representatives in the Richmond, Virginia area at your earliest convenience

NHTSA – Complaint filed 7/24/25 ODI #11675985 1.Pin box movement within the upper deck, sagging geometry. 2.Entry door opens during travel despite safety bar being engaged. 3.Entry door is difficult to close and does not stay secured even when locked while stationary. 4.Passenger-side main slide partially opens during travel. 5.Passenger-side main slide is separating from the camper; frame is damaged, floor plywood is exposed and deteriorating. 6.Suspension wet bolts cracked on all six tires due to excessive wear from frame flex; all replaced. 7.Exterior garage door (near front cap) bows outward, opens during travel, and is difficult to secure even after Grand Design’s previous replacement. 8.Master bedroom dresser is detaching from the wall; sides are collapsing. 9.Washer/dryer doors no longer align; they remain open during travel due to changed dimensions. 10.Multiple interior wall cracks. 11.Master bedroom floor is sagging and produces loud noises underfoot. 12.Nails protruding through walls throughout the camper. 13.Ceiling and wall trim detaching throughout the unit. 14.Loft near the main slide is separating from the wall.

The contact owns a 2022 Grand Design Momentum RV. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the camper was bouncing up and down. Due to the failure, the furniture detached from the wall. In addition, the bedroom floor fractured and pieces of the floor were separated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was advised to take the camper to a dealer in North Carolina, a six-hour drive away. The dealer determined that the failure was the result of nine lag bolts that were missing from the camper frame. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a manufacturer defect. The camper was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the pin box shifted downward, and the main slide on the passenger's side fractured and shifted down towards the ground and the furniture detached away from the wall. The main bedroom floor was fractured and sagging. The contact stated that while the RV was hitched and traveling, the main door unlatched and opened. Additionally, the garage door was bowed due to the failure of the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to take the camper back to the dealer. The contact requested the manufacturer to buy the camper back, however the request was denied.

I have stress/ flex cracks on both passenger and drivers side I beams near the suspension parts.07/2024. This is the first report, I have not contacted the manufacturer.

Frame Flex & Water Intrusion - We first noticed movement back in August 2024. It seemed like the tongue was going to come through our back truck window where I sit to work with our 3 cats. The inside of the Solitude is a mess too with lights coming down from ceiling, doors are all scratch from rubbing while be transported, trim coming off, wall paper being torn apart, had lag bolts coming up through the floor, leakage in master bedroom, floor warping and more. We took it in to have it fixed in November 2024 to only get her back in late march of 2025. They had to weld and reinforce frame but would not admit to frame flex or provide me with an updated weight placard so it's like they don't want evidence on it. They had to replace the whole floor which meant they had to take off slides to get everything out and now she is back up there with severe water intrusions from slides and other things again. Moisture reader is reading in places between 30 to 48% but Grand Design is denying any water intrusion even thought they took slides out. They only respond after an email is sent. This is unacceptable and hope that one day we can get these RV manufacturers to follow same rules as a vehicle. Why are they all in IN - they have the most laxed laws governing recreational vehicles. Our lives are in danger while driving these RV's on US highways which means we are putting others in danger too. Why aren't they held to a higher standard...where is the safety in all of this. I have pictures all everything if needed for documentation. Thank you for your time.

The contact owns a 2022 Grand Design Solitude. The contact stated that the front passenger's side tire had lost air pressure due to a crack on the tire sidewall on three separate occasions. The contact stated that the TPMS had confirmed the lost of air pressure on the front passenger's side tire. Additionally, The contact stated that he had discovered the same crack on all three front passenger's side tires that were replaced. The contact stated the crack in all three tires appeared to have formed within an inch of the wheel valve stem. The contact stated that the tires were replaced; however, the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a warranty claim was filed on after each failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Exsessive frame flex/failure, Structural and Mechanical Issues · Cracked and separating frame. · King pin alignment is visibly off when hitched, greatly reducing maneuverability. We can no longer safely jackknife the trailer. · Front cap is separating and leaking, allowing water intrusion into the RV – a serious concern for mold growth. · Closet wall separation. · Basement doors pulling away and separating. · Sagging kitchen floor causing a slide to become non-operational (required emergency assistance from a mobile RV technician). · Missing rollers under the kitchen slide. · Screws consistently fall out throughout both front and rear basement compartments. Main doors and cargo doors opening during travel

1. EXCESSIVE FRAME FLEX / FAILURE: Symptoms include: Bowing of walls; Trim coming loose; Cracks in fiberglass wall by slide (occurred a 2nd time after side wall repaired by factory) ; crack in interior wall; crack in roof; Main door opening during transport; Sawdust repeatedly appearing in cabinets; Failure of the attachment point between the frame and walls 2. STRUCTURAL ISSUES: Slide repaired twice at the factory and currently under warranty repair by dealership for a 3rd instance 3. Repairs done at factory in IN documents issues with both Grand Design and dealership acknowledging the failures were covered by warranty. 4. Inspected by both GD factory & dealership with documented failures falling under the warranty NOTE: Too many emails between Grand Design cust service and McClain's dealership to attach; working to put them all in a single PDF to send.