ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE I-BEAM LEAF IMITATOR IN THE FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION COULD CRACK AND BREAK DUE

Jan 28, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V038000

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE I-BEAM LEAF IMITATOR IN THE FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION COULD CRACK AND BREAK DUE TO AN INADEQUATE WELDING PROCESS.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 2,156 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V038000

Manufacturer:	MONACO COACH CORPORATION
Recall date:	January 28, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V038000
Units affected:	2,156

Description:: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE I-BEAM LEAF IMITATOR IN THE FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION COULD CRACK AND BREAK DUE TO AN INADEQUATE WELDING PROCESS.
Consequeces:: THE I-BEAMS ON THE FRONT AXLE AND THE PANARD BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE COULD CRACK AND BREAK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL I-BEAM. ALSO, DEALERS WILL WELD THE STIFFENERS FROM THE PANARD BAR BRACKET TO THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-877-466-6226.
Notes:: MONACO RECALL NO. R03024.CUSTOMERS CAN 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:

2003 BEAVER COACH BARON Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BEAVER BARON. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SIX SMALL SCREWS THAT MOUNTED THE 26" TELEVISION POPPED OUT. THE TELEVISION WAS MOUNTED IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS. THE CONTACTS WIFE WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE TELEVISION UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD BE PULLED OVER. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18,790. THE CONSUMER STATED CONTACTED A COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE METHOD OF REPAIR WOULD CONSIST OF MODIFYING THE ENTIRE CABINET AND INSTALL A NEWER FLAT SCREEN TV THIS MODIFICATION WOULD COS $1500 PLUS TO REPAIR NOT INCLUDING DAMAGES. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR;
2004 HOLIDAY RAMBLER AMBASSADOR Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HOLIDAY AMBASSADOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLES TRAILER ARM HAD FRACTURED SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:04V038000 ( SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.;
2004 HOLIDAY RAMBLER NEPTUNE Complaints
The contact owns a 2004 Holiday Rambler Neptune built on a Roadmaster chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the RV was swaying in the lane and the steering wheel shifted position and was horizontal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stopped the RV and observed that the rear bumper was almost touching the road surface and the rear passenger side tire was almost touching the wheel well. The contact called an independent mechanic who drove to the location of the RV and examined the RV and determined that the rear suspension and rear axle had fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact had the RV towed to an independent mechanic however, the RV was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V053000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.;
2004 MONACO COACH CAYMAN Complaints
SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE 2004 MONACO CAYMAN " I-BEAM" RECALL. SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, A NOISE ALERTED HIM OF A PROBLEM. HE DISCOVERED THE I-BEAM LEAF IMITATOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FRONT AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. BUT, FIXED BY WELDING A COSMETIC PLATE TO ONE SIDE OF THE I-BEAM. THE COMPONENT WAS SHORTER THAN THE I-BEAM BY A THIRD AND THE BREAK ON THE RV OCCURRED AT THE END, THAT WAS INTENDED TO STRENGTHEN THE I-BEAM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PARTICULAR PART THAT FAILED, WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL IN 2004. THE DEALER FAILED TO REPLACE THE PART, BUT INSTEAD CHOSE TO FIX IT WITH AN UN-APPROVED METHOD, THEREFORE NOT FOLLOWING THE RECALL ORDER. UPDATED 12/29/14. *JB;