The defect
TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR AND 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2001, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
The risk
IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy
TIFFIN IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE BY NORCOLD. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-027. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Tiffin Allegro | 2003 |
| Tiffin Allegro BAY | 2002, 2003 |
| Tiffin Allegro Bus | 2001, 2002 |
| Tiffin Phaeton | 2002, 2003 |
| Tiffin Zephyr | 2002, 2003 |
Components: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffin Allegro | 2003 | 11 | 7 |
| Tiffin Allegro BAY | 2002 | 0 | 4 |
| Tiffin Allegro BAY | 2003 | 3 | 5 |
| Tiffin Allegro Bus | 2001 | 0 | 2 |
| Tiffin Allegro Bus | 2002 | 2 | 2 |
| Tiffin Phaeton | 2002 | 0 | 3 |
| Tiffin Phaeton | 2003 | 2 | 3 |
| Tiffin Zephyr | 2002 | 1 | 3 |
| Tiffin Zephyr | 2003 | 0 | 3 |
Other equipment recalls in 2009
89 of the 491 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2009 concerned the equipment; TIFFIN MOTORHOMES, INC. filed 30 campaigns in all.
| 09V495000 29 Dec 2009 | NORTH AMERICAN BUS INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 09V492000 23 Dec 2009 | KEYSTONE RV COMPANY |
| 09V486000 22 Dec 2009 | FLEETWOOD RV, INC. |
| 09V480000 17 Dec 2009 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 09V474000 15 Dec 2009 | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC |
| 09V469000 4 Dec 2009 | ALUMA TOWER COMPANY, INC |
| 09V465000 2 Dec 2009 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO. |
| 09V452000 24 Nov 2009 | DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2009