The defect
ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING IN THE HUB OF THE AXLE MAY FAIL, LEADING TO UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE AXLE. THIS FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE GREASE IN THE HUB MAY BREAK DOWN UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS INTO A LIQUID THAT INADEQUATELY LUBRICATES THE OUTER BEARING. INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE OUTER BEARING CAN BEGIN A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk
SEPARATION OF ONE OR MORE WHEELS FROM THE TRAILER COULD CAUSE THE TRAILER TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY OR GO OUT OF CONTROL. A LOST WHEEL COULD ALSO STRIKE AN ONCOMING OR FOLLOWING VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OF DEATH TO THOSE INVOLVED.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE UNIT AND REMOVE THE WHEELS, INSPECT THE HUBS, INNER AND OUTER BEARINGS, RACES AND GREASE SEALS. IF NECESSARY, REPLACE PARTS AND REPACK THE WHEEL BEARING WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE AND REINSTALL THE HUB AND WHEELS. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 1-877-596-6505.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Airstream Classic | 2004, 2005 |
| Airstream International CCD | 2004, 2005 |
| Airstream Safari | 2004, 2005 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airstream Classic | 2004 | 7 | 4 |
| Airstream Classic | 2005 | 6 | 3 |
| Airstream International CCD | 2004 | 3 | 2 |
| Airstream International CCD | 2005 | 3 | 1 |
| Airstream Safari | 2004 | 0 | 5 |
| Airstream Safari | 2005 | 2 | 3 |
Other suspension recalls in 2004
28 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the suspension; AIRSTREAM, INC. filed 30 campaigns in all.
| 04V604000 22 Dec 2004 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 04V596000 21 Dec 2004 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 04V594000 20 Dec 2004 | AUTOCAR, LLC |
| 04V535000 8 Nov 2004 | MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V508000 27 Oct 2004 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK & ENGINE CORPORATION |
| 04V496000 14 Oct 2004 | TRIUMPH MOTORCYCLES (AMERICA) LTD |
| 04V477000 7 Oct 2004 | MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK OF AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V478000 7 Oct 2004 | MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK OF AMERICA, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004