ON CERTAIN CLASS A AND CLASS B MOTOR HOMES, THE HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A SPACER PLATE

Oct 06, 2005 — Recall Campaign #05V465000

ON CERTAIN CLASS A AND CLASS B MOTOR HOMES, THE HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A SPACER PLATE THAT DOES NOT FIT FLUSH TO THE REAR EXTENSION.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 221 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

05V465000

Manufacturer:	FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL
Recall date:	October 06, 2005
NHTSA Campaign #:	05V465000
Units affected:	221

Description:: ON CERTAIN CLASS A AND CLASS B MOTOR HOMES, THE HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH A SPACER PLATE THAT DOES NOT FIT FLUSH TO THE REAR EXTENSION.
Consequeces:: THIS CAUSES THE FASTENERS TO BE CORNER LOADED WHEN TIGHTENED WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HITCH TO FAIL DURING USAGE CAUSING A CRASH WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH AND INJURY.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPACER PLATE AND ADD SIX NEW BOLTS, WASHERS AND NUTS TO SECURE THE SPACER PLATE IN PLACE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 11, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FOUR WINDS AT 574-266-1111.
Notes:: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2006 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE Complaints
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FOUR WINDS HURRICANE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD POPPED OUT OF THE FRAME AND FELL TO THE GROUND. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE BY AN INDEPENDENT DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDOW WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY AT THE FACTORY AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 27,500. UPDATED 7/1/09 *CN UPDATED 07/07/09.*JB;
2006 FOUR WINDS SIESTA Complaints
I QUESTION THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THESE EXPENSIVE MOTOR HOMES BUILT BY FOUR WINDS INTERNATIONAL (ELKHART, IN) AND ATTACHED TO A FORD TRUCK CHASSIS. I QUESTION THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS RIDING INSIDE THE COACH OF THIS POORLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLE RAPIDLY DETERIORATING WITHIN A 2 YEAR PERIOD AND WITH ONLY 5000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS ONE EXAMPLE, THE INTEGRITY OF THE LOCK LATCHES ON DOORS AND CABINETS ARE QUESTIONABLE WITH STORED ITEMS FLYING THROUGH THE CABIN AT HIGH SPEEDS WHILE NAVIGATING HIGHWAYS. THE INTEGRITY OF THIS PRODUCT IS HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE AS EVIDENT BY THE FOLLOWING LIST OF PROBLEMS AS A RESULTING FROM POOR CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS SELECTION ON A VEHICLE MARKETED FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND OPERATING ON OUR HIGHWAYS. BELOW ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE CAN SEE. THERE ARE LIKELY DEEPER MORE INVISIBLE PROBLEMS: MECHANICAL FAILURE:POP OUT ROOM MECHANISM IS FAILING. THE FAILURE OF THIS MECHANISM WOULD INTERFERE WITH BALANCE AND COMPROMISE SAFETY AT HIGH SPEEDS. MATERIALS FAILURE:PARTICLE BOARD CONSTRUCTION OF INTERIOR FIXTURES HAVE LITTLE RESISTANCE TO TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AND UTILIZED IN THIS VEHICLE MARKETED FOR OUTDOORS RECREATION. CABINETS AND OTHER STRUCTURES ATTACHED TO THE INTERIOR WALLS SHOW EXTRAORDINARY DETERIORATION OVER THIS SHORT PERIOD AND MAY POSE A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN SEPARATION OCCURS. STRUCTURAL FAILURE:WATER IMPINGEMENT DUE TO LEAKS FROM EITHER FAILURE OF ROOF OR OUTSIDE STRUCTURES ATTACHED TO THE BODY (AWNING, ETC.). WATER INTRUSION WOULD CERTAINLY ACCELERATE INTERNAL FAILURE THAT MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF COACH FIXTURES AND INJURY TO PASSENGERS AND OPERATORS IN THIS VEHICLE. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOT THE DEALERSHIP WILL ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION FLAWS THAT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO INJURY DUE TO STRUCTURAL FAILURE. SOME INDUSTRY STANDARDS SHOULD EXIST FOR THESE VEHICLES REGARDING CONSTRUCTION TO MAXIMIZE THEIR SAFETY. *TR;