SAFARI Complaints

PARKING BRAKE CALIPER MOUNTING BOLTS LOOSEN AND FALL OUT ALLOWING THE CALIPER TO BE PARTIALLY DISLODGED FROM THE ROTOR, WHEN THE SERVICE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE CALIPER SLIPS OFF THE ROTOR AND THE VEHICLE IS FREE TO ROLL. THERE ARE MANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THIS WILL RESULT IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. IN DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CHASSIS BUILDER (MAGNUM), THE BRACKET THAT SUPPORTS THE BRAKE CALIPER IS UNDERDESIGNED AND RESULTS IN THE BOLTS LOOSENING FROM SERVICE LOADING. WHEN THE COMPANY SHIPPED THE FIRST REPLACEMENT CALIPER, THEY DID NOT INCLUDE A NEW OR REDESIGNED BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY AT THE FACTORY WHERE THEY DID TWO WEEKS OF WARRANTY WORK, BUT DID NOT REPLACE OR REPAIR THE PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THEM IN DETAIL. IT IS OBVIOUS THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED OR ADEQUATELY INFORMED AS TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF THE PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS NOT EQUIPED WITH A PARK FEATURE.

WHEN THIS PART FAILS IT SHORT CIRCUITS TO THE STARTER SOLONOID CAUSING THE STARTER TO TURN THE ENGINE. THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERIES HOWEVER BY THAT TIME THE WIRING IS ON FIRE. ON MY VEHICLE, THE NEW FUEL CUT OFF PART FAILED ON THE SECOND OR THIRD START OF THE ENGINE, AGAIN BURNING OUT THE STARTER BUT NOT THE WIRING. IF THIS UNIT SHOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING, AS THE REPLACEMENT DID, A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR BECAUSE THE ENGINE DIES LEAVING THE DRIVER WITHOUT ANY POWER FOR STEERING AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE ON FIRE. THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL. THIS PART SHOULD BE MADE TO FAIL IN A SAFEMODE RATHER THAN SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND VIA THE STARTER.

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DRIVESHAFT FELL OFF. CONSUMER HEARD A BANGING SOUND AND VEHICLE COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. *AK

RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETED PROPERLY (98V-167009), INSULATION WAS LEFT BEHIND. MJS

FRONT SUSPENSION BOTTOMS CAUSING FRONT WHEELS TO HIT ON UNDERSIDE OF MOTORHOME FLOOR CAUSING MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL. MAGNUM (CHASSIS MFG) STATES THAT 95 SAHARA WERE BUILT WITH WHEELS TOO CLOSE TO FLOOR. WITH LATER MODELS, WHEELS WERE LOCATED 1 INCH FURTHER AWAY FROM FLOOR. SAFARI IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HAS RETROFITTED 95 MODELS WITH LONGER "LEAF SPRING SHACKLE BRACKETS" ONLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE UNDER WARRANTY. SINCE I PURCHASED USED, CHASSIS WARRANTY IS VOID PER SAFARI. PROBLEM OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING DURING BRAKING DOWN STEEP HILLS.

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD APPROXIMATELY 80 SYSTEMS OR PARTS FAILURES INCLUDING THE SAFETY ITEMS MENTIONED ABOVE. THE AUTOMATIC RETRACTING STEP EXTENDS WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S KNOWLEDGE, IT EXTENDS INTO TRAFFIC LANES APPROXIMATELY 18 FOOT, IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR INSPECTED THREE TIMES AND FAILED FOUR TIMES. THE PETROCHEMICAL FUMES IN THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IS VERY STRONG AND WILL BURN THE EYES WITH LITTLE EXPOSURE. THE FUMES COME INTO THE LIVING AREA AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY. FACTORY CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM.