VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, MODELS 3602 AND 3500

Jul 07, 2000 — Recall Campaign #00V178000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, MODELS 3602 AND 3500. THE 120-VOLT CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE THAT PROVIDES BONDING FROM THE POWER CENTER AND THE GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH TO THE FRAME WAS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE 12-VOLT GROUND BAR.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 158 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

00V178000

Manufacturer:	COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Recall date:	July 07, 2000
NHTSA Campaign #:	00V178000
Units affected:	158

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, MODELS 3602 AND 3500. THE 120-VOLT CIRCUIT GROUND WIRE THAT PROVIDES BONDING FROM THE POWER CENTER AND THE GENERATOR TRANSFER SWITCH TO THE FRAME WAS INCORRECTLY CONNECTED TO THE 12-VOLT GROUND BAR.
Consequeces:: THIS CAN LEAD TO HIGHER VOLTAGE WITHIN THE 12-VOLT GROUND SYSTEM AND CAUSE FAILURES IN THE INDIVIDUAL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (REFRIGERATOR CONTROL, FURNACE CONTROL, RADIOS, ETC.).
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL RE-WIRE THESE MOTOR HOMES.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 31, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COACHMEN AT 1-219-825-5821. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2001 COACHMEN SANTARA

2001 COACHMEN SANTARA Complaints
I HAVE A 2000 COACHMEN MOTORHOME WHICH CAME WITH MICHELIN XRV TIRES ON IT. SPECIFICALLY 235/80R 22.5. I HAVE HAD ONE TIRE BLOW OUT WHILE DRIVING AND ANOTHER TIE WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE WHAT APPEARED TO BE A "WIDE PLY GAP" ON THE SIDEWALL SO I REMOVED IT. ON THE FIRST TIRE, WHICH BLEW OUT, I CALLED MICHELIN AND THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY DEFENSIVE. EVEN THOUGH I WAS NICE THE LADY DIDN'T LIKE MY PERSISTENCE AND HUNG UP ON ME. THE MICHELIN CALL CENTER TOLD ME THAT 70% OF MOTORHOMES ARE OVERLOADED AND THAT MINE WAS PROBABLY OVERLOADED ALSO. SHE REFERRED ME TO A DEALER IN SALT LAKE CITY. I WENT TO A DEALER WHO HAD THE MICHELIN REP LOOK AT IT. HE SAID IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN IMPACT BUT HE GAVE ME A $100 CREDIT. IN AUGUST I FOUND A BUBBLE ON ANOTHER TIRE AND TOOK IT TO A GOODYEAR DEALER WHO SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A WIDE PLY GAP AND REFERRED ME TO A MICHELIN DEALER IN THE AREA. THAT DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HE SEE THIS FREQUENTLY AND ADVISED ME TO GET THESE TIRE OFF MY RV ASAP. I COULD NOT REPLACE IT AS HE HAD QUIT STOCKING THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BAD. I CALLED MICHELIN AND GOT THE SAME 70% OVERLOADED STORY A FEW MONTHS LATER AND WAS REFERRED TO A LOCAL DEALER. THIS TIRE HAD NOT BLOWN OUT SO I KNEW I WOULD GET THE TIRE REPLACED AS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. WITH NO INDICATION OF ANY IMPACT ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE THE NEW MICHELIN DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS A RESULT OF IMPACT. I OBJECTED AND HE GOT HOSTILE. AS HE HELPED ME PUT THE TIRE BACK IN THE RV HE SMASHED HIS FINGER SEVERELY: ). THAT WHAT HE GETS FOR LYING! I TALKED TO A MOTORHOME DEALER AND HE TOLD ME OF THE PROBLEMS IN THE INDUSTRY WITH MICHELIN XRV TIRES SO, I WANT THEM ALL REPLACED. *JB;