ELKHART, IND – While there’s never a good time for a recall, the opening of spring RV season is certainly a bad time for telling potentially thousands of RV owners to NOT use their recreational vehicle. But that seems to be the sad case for an estimated 27,000 RV owners whose rigs are equipped with certain powered awnings manufactured by Indiana’s Dometic Corporation.
In the most recent release of vehicle recall information, the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that several models of Dometic’s WeatherPro motor powered awnings could have an assembly problem that could cause these awnings to “unfurl unexpectedly,” at any time, with the RV at rest, or on the road. To that end, NHTSA is telling anyone who owns one of the awnings not to take the RV out on the road until the unit is repaired.
RV News Service staff have attempted to get a comment directly from Dometic regarding the situation, but the company has not yet returned calls. However, a representative of one of the major RV manufacturers whose units had the suspect awnings in use, Jayco, says at least 27,000 of the power awnings are in the recall. Other manufacturers specifically affected by the recall include Keystone, Winnebago, and Thor. However, Dometic also sold an aftermarket motor service kit which could also cause the problem.
Not all RV manufacturers have provided a starting date for when they’ll begin servicing customers affected by this recall. If you have one of the affected Dometic units, having your awning unfurl while driving puts you at risk for a serious accident. The text of the NHTSA recall is reproduced below:
Dometic is recalling certain WeatherPro motor powered awning models 805, 815, 825. 835, 845, 885, 855, and 905: 9100 Power awning models 910, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, and 91; and certain awning motor service kits with part numbers starting with 3307923 and 3310423. The serial number range for the WeatherPro and 9100 motor powered awnings is 306XXXXX thru 314XXXXX. These motor powered awnings were either sold in the aftermarket as replacement equipment or installed as original equipment on various recreation vehicles and horse trailers. The awning motor service kits were sold in the aftermarket as service parts for product already installed on recreation vehicles or horse trailers and do not carry an individual serial number.
The awning motor service kit must be located by the part number shown above. The motor powered awnings and awning motor service kits were manufactured between February 13, 2013 and April 9, 2013. If the awning or service part installation sequence is not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged. If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the coach is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Dometic will send notices to purchasers of the replacement awnings and will work with the vehicle manufacturers to identify and notify owners of the coaches that had the affected awnings installed on their recreational vehicles. Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall has already begun. Owners should contact their RV manufacturer or Dometic at (888) 447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 01:17:08 PM
NWescapee said
09:23 PM May 8, 2013
Mike - thanks for the warning, seems like this would apply to new RV owners, just what they want to hear.
The motor powered awnings and awning motor service kits were manufactured between February 13, 2013 and April 9, 2013.
Lucky Mike said
09:32 PM May 8, 2013
Yes this applies to new RV owners....And those that have bought replacement motors for there Awnings
Steve and Kate said
05:39 AM May 9, 2013
We were notified of the recall for the awning on our 2013 Keystone Cougar. We've only had it a few weeks and just headed out when the notice came. We are between points of service and as of yet there are no repair kits available. We contacted the mfg and were told to get the rig into the shop to be replaced we could use strapping ties to secure the awning in place. Not a permanent fix, but enough to get us nearer to a service shop. Not good timing for us as we are in a severe weather area with tornados predicted and want to put a few miles between us and the bad weather. Anyone else hear from a dealer or mfg regarding this type of temporary fix?
http://rvnewsservice.com/2013/05/08/recall-tells-thousands-of-rvers-dont-drive-your-rig/
RV AWNING RECALL...........DANGER..............RV AWNING RECALL..........READ THIS!!!!!!! IMPORTANT!!!!! CHECK YOUR RIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Federal Recall......READ
RV awnings recalled. Don’t use your RV, feds advise
May 8, 2013
In the most recent release of vehicle recall information, the U.S. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that several models of Dometic’s WeatherPro motor powered awnings could have an assembly problem that could cause these awnings to “unfurl unexpectedly,” at any time, with the RV at rest, or on the road. To that end, NHTSA is telling anyone who owns one of the awnings not to take the RV out on the road until the unit is repaired.
RV News Service staff have attempted to get a comment directly from Dometic regarding the situation, but the company has not yet returned calls. However, a representative of one of the major RV manufacturers whose units had the suspect awnings in use, Jayco, says at least 27,000 of the power awnings are in the recall. Other manufacturers specifically affected by the recall include Keystone, Winnebago, and Thor. However, Dometic also sold an aftermarket motor service kit which could also cause the problem.
Not all RV manufacturers have provided a starting date for when they’ll begin servicing customers affected by this recall. If you have one of the affected Dometic units, having your awning unfurl while driving puts you at risk for a serious accident. The text of the NHTSA recall is reproduced below:
Dometic is recalling certain WeatherPro motor powered awning models 805, 815, 825. 835, 845, 885, 855, and 905: 9100 Power awning models 910, 912, 913, 914, 915, 916, 917, and 91; and certain awning motor service kits with part numbers starting with 3307923 and 3310423. The serial number range for the WeatherPro and 9100 motor powered awnings is 306XXXXX thru 314XXXXX. These motor powered awnings were either sold in the aftermarket as replacement equipment or installed as original equipment on various recreation vehicles and horse trailers. The awning motor service kits were sold in the aftermarket as service parts for product already installed on recreation vehicles or horse trailers and do not carry an individual serial number.
The awning motor service kit must be located by the part number shown above. The motor powered awnings and awning motor service kits were manufactured between February 13, 2013 and April 9, 2013. If the awning or service part installation sequence is not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged. If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the coach is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. Dometic will send notices to purchasers of the replacement awnings and will work with the vehicle manufacturers to identify and notify owners of the coaches that had the affected awnings installed on their recreational vehicles. Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall has already begun. Owners should contact their RV manufacturer or Dometic at (888) 447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Wednesday 8th of May 2013 01:17:08 PM
The motor powered awnings and awning motor service kits were manufactured between February 13, 2013 and April 9, 2013.
Steve and Kate
2013 Keystone Cougar 333MKS