2021 THOR MOTOR COACH CHALLENGER Complaints

on 11/28/2023 My family and I were driving on the freeway I heard what sounded like a soda can explode under my feet in the engine compartment. I immediately lost power brakes and power steering. There was a large amount of smoke instantly. Within about 3 to 5 seconds the cab started to fill with smoke and fire was coming out of the driver's front wheel well. My insurance has had the vehicle in a lot for the past 4.5 months. they would have to permit inspection of the vehicle. My wife, 2 daughters, and dog were in the vehicle with me. the smoke and fire spread so quickly that they had to exit the side door of the RV while it was still moving down the freeway. They jumped out of the door and ran to the side of the freeway to escape the danger. I stayed in the vehicle until I could get it stopped breathing the smoke from the burning plastic. i then exited the vehicle and attempted to put out the fire with the fire extinguisher from inside the motorhome. that did not work as the fire was fueled by oil and plastic. I ran to the back of the motorhome to remove the jeep that we were towing so it would not burn. I found a trail of power steering fluid on the ground following the motorhome to where it stopped. Within just a few minutes of stopping the front of motorhome was fully engulfed in flames. The problem has not been reproduced vehicle was a total loss. Rimkus has completed a 3rd party fire investigation on behalf of my insurance company. There were no warnings prior to the event. I contacted Thor and Ford Mo Co. Thor stopped responding after one email, Ford's general counsel called me and stated that they would not be assisting me in any way and to have my insurance company sue them. (Seek Subrogation)

Unloading the storage compartments and discovered that the compartment wall was melted. It is directly next to, about 6 inches away from, the exhaust pipe.

Exhaust has blown (melted) a hole in the storage bin no heat shield was placed. The bin next to it has a heat shield.

brand new vehicle, first trip, what appears to be a break pads lock up, smell rubber first, got signal from another driver to pull over. When we got home got recall notice 21S17 with specific instructions to get back to dealer for service, but dealer does not have parts and told me not to come for the interim service until parts arrived, not sure if it is related, but recording the event here. Spent all day on the computer with live chat and a couple of phone calls, but not really any help from Ford.