Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2013 Breeze and Allegro motorhomes

May 07, 2013 — Recall Campaign #13V178000

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2013 Breeze and Allegro motorhomes. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 293 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

13V178000

Manufacturer:	Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
Recall date:	May 07, 2013
NHTSA Campaign #:	13V178000
Units affected:	293

Description:: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2013 Breeze and Allegro motorhomes. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged.
Consequeces:: If motor damage has occurred, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
Corrective action:: Tiffin will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began June 24, 2013. Owners may contact Tiffin at 1-256-356-8661 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2013 TIFFIN ALLEGRO Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TIFFIN ALLEGRO 36LA MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL DOORS ON THE MOTOR HOME WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. WHILE IN A SECOND VEHICLE DRIVING BEHIND THE MOTOR HOME, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME WAS LEANING LOWER THEN THE DRIVER SIDE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WELDING ATTACHING THE RV SECTION TO THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED AND DAMAGED, CAUSING THE RV BODY TO LEAN AND BECOME IMBALANCED AND THE DOORS TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO SECURE. IN ADDITION, AN ELECTRICAL WIRE HARNESS WAS DAMAGED AND CAUSED SEVERAL LIGHTS NOT TO OPERATE. THE FAILURES WERE NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000. *DT *DT CONSUMER STATED ON OCTOBER 4TH THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THEY WILL FIX IT BUT WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY COMMUNICATION SINCE AND THEY HAVEN'T MAD ARRANGEMENTS TO PICK UP THE UNIT. APPEARS THAT BOX/RV FRAME TACKE TO CHASSIS BUT NEVER WAS FINAL WELDED. UPDATED 10/18/18*JB *TT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' UPDATED 12/06/18*JB;
2013 TIFFIN BREEZE Complaints
THE TWO MOST SERIOUS DEFECTS ARE A CRACKED FRAME OVER THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) AND INOPERABLE FRONT BRAKES. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAVE NEVER WORKED BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. PER THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE CENTER (ATEL BUS & TRUCK , BELTSVILLE MD) "THE SLACK ADJUSTERS ARE TOUCHING THE KNUCKLE AND/OR TOP OF THE KING PIN WHEN APPLIED - TOUCHING KEEPS THE SLACK ADJUSTER FROM TRAVELING FAR ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKE SHOES TO THE DRUM. FOUND COBWEBS IN THE BRAKES (THEY HAVE NEVER TOUCHED THE DRUMS)." THE COACH ALSO HAS NUMEROUS OTHER ISSUES LIKELY RELATED TO INSTABILITY - VEHICLE LEANS TO THE RIGHT SIDE, EXCESSIVE SWAY IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING, FRONT SHOCKS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND STEERING COLUMN NOISE. THESE AND OTHER ISSUES ARE DETAILED IN FULL INSPECTION REPORTS FROM ATEL BUS & TRUCK; INSPECTIONS BY NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COMPANY; AND CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN OUR ATTORNEYS AND TIFFIN. THESE ARE MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS AND NOT THE RESULT OF A SPECIFIC INCIDENT. THE COACH CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER MUCH OF WHICH HAS BEEN ACCUMULATED DURING SERVICE TRIPS TO TIFFIN. IN ADDITION, THE COACH HAS BEEN AVAILABLE FOR USE LESS THAN HALF OF THE TIME WE'VE OWNED IT. IT'S CURRENTLY SITTING AT ATEL BUS & TRUCK WHERE IT'S BEEN FOR OVER NINETEEN MONTHS. WE WOULD BE PLEASED TO DISCUSS THESE AND OTHER ISSUES WITH ANYONE WILLING TO HEAR OUR STORY. WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY ATEL BUS & TRUCK (TIFFIN'S AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER) THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR TRAVEL.;