VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS

Mar 31, 1999 — Recall Campaign #98V167009

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, MODEL 431-3 ZONE WITH ENGINE LOOP. FIBERGLASS INSULATING MATERIAL LOCATED UNDER THE BURNER HEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HEATER ENCLOSURE, CAN BECOME SOAKED WITH FLUIDS (ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND/OR DIESEL FUEL).

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 413 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

98V167009

Manufacturer:	SAFARI MOTOR COACHES, INC.
Recall date:	March 31, 1999
NHTSA Campaign #:	98V167009
Units affected:	413

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AQUA-HOT HEATING SYSTEMS, MODEL 431-3 ZONE WITH ENGINE LOOP. FIBERGLASS INSULATING MATERIAL LOCATED UNDER THE BURNER HEAD ON THE FLOOR OF THE HEATER ENCLOSURE, CAN BECOME SOAKED WITH FLUIDS (ETHYLENE GLYCOL AND/OR DIESEL FUEL).
Consequeces:: IF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OCCURS, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
Corrective action:: VEHICLE SYSTEMS INC. WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE INSULATION FROM BENEATH THE DIESEL HEATING UNIT AS WELL AS FROM BEHIND THE CONTROL THERMOSTAT AND AIR-CONDITIONING HEATING ELEMENT ACCESS COVERS.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 19, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTOR HOMES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAFARI AT 1-541-995-2375 OR VSI AT 1-800-685-4289.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:

1997 BEAVER PATRIOT Complaints
I PURCHASED OUR 1997 BEAVER PATRIOT MOTORHOME USED IN OCTOBER 3, 2006. ON OUR MAIDEN TRIP THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDSHIELD BROKE DUE TO A BAD FRONT SHOCK ALLOWING THE FRONT OF THE UNIT TO BOTTOM OUT. TWO MONTHS LATER WE WERE TRAVELING IN ARIZONA ON I-10 AND HEARD A THUMPING NOISE. IT WAS THE PASSENGERS FRONT SHOCK MOUNT - IT HAD TORN FROM THE FRAME A WAS HITTING THE FRAME. AFTER CALL THE MANUFACTURER I WAS TOLD NOTHING THEY COULD DO, TAKE IT TO A FRAME SHOP AND HAVE IT RE-WELDED ON AND REPLACE THE SHOCK. THREE MONTHS LATER TRAVELING OVER LOVELAND PASS IN COLORADO THE DRIVERS FRONT SHOCK MOUNT TORE FROM THE FRAME AND TOOK OUT THE FRONT BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE CALIPER LEAVING ME WITH NO FRONT BRAKES. AGAIN I WAS TOLD NOTHING COULD BE DONE BY THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE DONE A INTERNET SEARCH FINDING OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN AND TO CORRECT IT A SECOND SET OF SHOCKS WERE ADDED IN MODELS AFTER 1997 (1 SHOCK PER AIR BAG). OTHERS THAT HAD THE PROBLEM WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THE FACTORY REPAIRED WITH THE SECOND SET OF SHOCKS TO BOTH FRONT AND REAR. I NOW HAVE HAD TO CHANGE THE FRONT TIRES BECAUSE THE SHOCK HAVE FAILED AGAIN CAUSING THE TIRES TO CUP. MONROE, BILSTIEN AND KONI (SHOCK MANUFACTURERS) WON'T WARRANTY THEIR SHOCKS BECAUSE THEY SHOW THAT THIS MOTORHOME NEEDS 4 SHOCKS PER AXLE AND I ONLY HAVE 2, SO IT IS FAILING BECAUSE OF IMPROPER USE. MONACO PURCHASED BEAVER IN 2000 AND CLAIMS ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY, HANDLING, BRAKING AND TIRE ISSUE. ONE COUPLE HAD THEIR FRONT TIRE BLOWN OUT WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNT TORE FROM THE FRAME. HOPEFULLY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. 30,000 LBS OF VEHICLE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY YOU CAN'T CONTROL OR STOP IS A PROBLEM. SEEMS TO BE A PRODUCT LIABILITY FOR MONACO. *TR;
1997 SAFARI CONTINENTAL Complaints
THERE IS AN OVERWEIGHT PROBLEM WITH MOTOR HOME, WHICH CAUSED FRONT TIRES TO BECOME HOT FROM TOO MUCH WEIGHT. TREAD CAME OFF BOTH TIRES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. TIRES WERE TOYO, 25570R22.5. TIRES WERE TOO SMALL FOR WEIGHT OF COACH. OWNER HAS REPLACED THE TIRE WITH MICHELIN, 27570R22.5, WHICH MADE THE COACH MUCH MORE STABLE. SAFARI WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK;