2003 Gulf Stream Independence recalls and problems

The 2003 Gulf Stream Independence has 7 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is equipment.

How the 2003 compares

Too few model years with complaints to compare.

7recalls

3complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

42,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

7 recalls

Electrical System

Mar 20, 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V105000 · 1,502 vehicles

Problem: Gulf Stream is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 class âaâ and âcâ recreational vehicles, built on floorplans 6316, 6317, 6330, 8325 and 8328, due to a section of unsecured wiring. See the above list for the models affected. The wiring within the raceway May not be properly secured leading to wear and potential heat development between the exposed wiring and heated refrigerator coils.

Original NHTSA wording

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 CLASS ÂAÂ AND ÂCÂ RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, BUILT ON FLOORPLANS 6316, 6317, 6330, 8325 AND 8328, DUE TO A SECTION OF UNSECURED WIRING. SEE THE ABOVE LIST FOR THE MODELS AFFECTED. THE WIRING WITHIN THE RACEWAY MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED LEADING TO WEAR AND POTENTIAL HEAT DEVELOPMENT BETWEEN THE EXPOSED WIRING AND HEATED REFRIGERATOR COILS.

Risk: This condition could lead to failure of the 110 volt electrical wiring routed to the microwave cabinet, increasing the risk of fire, personal injury, or property damage.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO FAILURE OF THE 110 VOLT ELECTRICAL WIRING ROUTED TO THE MICROWAVE CABINET, INCREASING THE RISK OF FIRE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy & notes

Gulf Stream will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. The safety recall began on April 4, 2012. Owners May contact Gulf Stream at 1-800-482-6456.

Gulf Streamâs recall number is 12WG-0105.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administrationâs vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Nov 22, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V584000 · 1,328 vehicles

Problem: Gulf Stream is recalling certain recreational vehicles and fifth wheel trailers equipped with 1200-SERIES norcold refrigerators. The population of refrigerators being addressed contains either a sensing algorithm or thermal switch to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected in order to prevent a potential fire. The response times of the sensor algorithm and thermal switch devices to stop power are not sufficient.

Original NHTSA wording

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.

Risk: The sensing algorithm or thermal switch installed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected due to a possible hydrogen gas leak May not shut off in sufficient time to prevent a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Gulf Stream is working with norcold to identify and notify any affected owners. Owners will be instructed to contact norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. Please see norcold's defect report 10E-049 for additional information. The recall began on March 23, 2011. Owners May contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or Gulf Stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Equipment

Oct 1, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V382000 · 242 vehicles

Problem: Gulf Stream is recalling certain motorhomes equipped with norcold model 1200LR, 1200LRIM, and 1201LRIM refrigerators 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.

Original NHTSA wording

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS 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.

Risk: If a leak occurs and the unit continues to operate, hydrogen gas May be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Original NHTSA wording

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy & notes

Gulf Stream is working with norcold and the vehicle's refrigerator will be repaired free of charge. Please also see norcold's defect notice 09E-027. The safety recall began on October 20, 2009. Owners May contact Gulf Stream at 1-800-289-8787 or norcold's recall center at 1-800-767-9101.

Equipment

Aug 15, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V411000 · 26,847 vehicles

Problem: Gulf Stream is recalling 26,847 my 2003-2006 recreational vehicles equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator May have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Original NHTSA wording

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 26,847 MY 2003-2006 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Risk: If this solution is exposed to an ignition source under certain specific circumstances, it can result in a vehicle fire.

Original NHTSA wording

IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Gulf Stream is working with dometic to repair these refrigerators (please see 08E032). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle INC. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist the owner in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. Owners May contact dometic/stericycle at 1-888-446-5157 or Gulf Stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Mar 20, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V136000 · 38,767 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor homes, fifth wheel and travel trailers equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, May have a defect in the boiler tube. Pressurized coolant solution could be released into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Risk: Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy & notes

Gulf Stream will be working with dometic in order to repair these refrigerators (please see 06E076). Dometic will repair these refrigerators by installing a secondary burn housing, a thermal fuse, and a melt fuse free of charge. Dometic has retained stericycle INC. To manage this campaign. Stericycle will assist you in locating dealerships or service centers and will provide assistance with scheduling of appointments. The recall began on June 28, 2007. Owners May contact dometic/stericycle at 1-888-446-5157 or Gulf Stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Apr 11, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V113000 · 995 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor homes built on Workhorse chassis and equipped with actia corporate instrument clusters fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard nos. 101 "controls and displays" and 105 "hydraulic and electric brake systems." if the brake fail input falls below a voltage of 1.5V, the brake failure lamp and alarm will be activated. Also activation of the ABS telltale when the ABS is not properly functioning does not always occur.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.

Risk: At night the instrument cluster lights May fail and the driver May not be able to see the instrument panel gauges and the brake warning light indicator which could increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

Workhorse is conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign and reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Owners May contact Workhorse at 1-877-246-7731 or Gulf Stream at 574-773-7761.

Customers May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Service Brakes

Mar 12, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V092000 · 998 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator May not function as required by standard.

Original NHTSA wording

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Risk: In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon Ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.

Original NHTSA wording

IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will repair the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification is began May 1, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Gulf Stream at 1-574-773-7761.

Customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2003 vs. other Gulf Stream Independence years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2003. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2003 Gulf Stream Independence have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the 2003 Gulf Stream Independence, the latest from Mar 20, 2012 (electrical system). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Gulf Stream Independence?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention equipment (1), power train (1), structure (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.