2018 Thor Motor Coach Chateau
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 5 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 6 Chateau model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 2 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seat beltsAug 5, 2020
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak 23DB, 2018-2021 Four Winds 23U, and 2018-2021 Chateau 23U motorhomes. Bolts of the wrong size were used to secure the barrel chair pedestals, allowing the pedestal to separate from the floor in the event of a crash. As such, these motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems" and number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
If the pedestal were to separate from the floor during a crash, the seat belt anchorages may fail, increasing the risk of injury.
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the pedestal bolt size, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. This recall began September 14, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000202.
Campaign 20V458000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, rearview mirrors/devicesMar 27, 2019
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Thor Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes and 2019-2020 Magnitude and Omni motorhomes. The backup camera displays may revert back to the factory default settings which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
If the monitor displays the image in reverse, the driver may unintentionally turn in the wrong direction, increasing the risk of crash.
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a harness to install that will prevent the image from inverting, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000168.
Campaign 19V240000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailer, lpg systems, lines and fittingsOct 19, 2018
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thor Four Winds, Chateau, and Freedom Elite vehicles. The liquid propane (LP) hose may not have adequate space between the floor and the metal plate on the refrigerator, causing damage to the hose and possibly creating a propane leak.
A propane leak can increase the risk of a fire.
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will remove a portion of the refrigerator base plate to provide additional clearance for the LP hose, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000162.
Campaign 18V741000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentNov 22, 2017
Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Campaign 17V758000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsOct 9, 2017
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."
If the water capacity information is incorrect and it causes the vehicle to be over loaded, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.
Campaign 17V634000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, recreational vehicle/trailer, lpg systems, lines and fittingsAug 24, 2017
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Four Winds, Chateau and Freedom Elite recreational vehicles. The liquid propane (LP) hose may sag and become pinched between the frame and the leaf spring u-bolts, potentially damaging the hose and causing a propane leak.
A propane fuel leak may increase the risk of a fire.
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the LP hose routing and install additional P-clamps or relocate the P-clamps to properly secure the hose, free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000144.
Campaign 17V522000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
1 report, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jan 5, 2022, fire
The contact owned a 2018 Thor Chateau. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 45 MPH, he saw another vehicle encroaching into his lane head-on from the opposite lane. As her husband began to veer the camper to the right side of the roadway, the other vehicle sideswiped the driver’s side of the camper and the inside of the camper immediately caught on fire. The fire quickly spread throughout the camper as her husband lost complete control of the vehicle. The contact's husband was forced to exit the vehicle through the passenger’s side window. Her husband’s jacket caught on fire and he was forced to roll in the snow to put out the flames. Her husband was taken to the hospital and treated for second-degree burns to his left hand and scalp. The jaws of life had to be used to extract the other driver from his vehicle and he was also taken to the hospital and treated for multiple fractures. The fire department and police department were called to the scene and the fire department extinguished the fire. A fire and police report were filed. The accident had remained under investigation and the exact cause of the fire had yet to be determined. The vehicle was towed to a junkyard where it was deemed a total loss. The dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 12,400.