2018 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw recalls and problems

The 2018 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw has 6 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is structure.

How the 2018 compares

Highest

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 10 Outlaw model years — the most of any year.

6recalls

7complaints

0crashes

0fires

0injuries

15,000median 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.

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6 recalls

Visibility

Nov 16, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V812000 · 1,485 vehicles

Problem: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Thor Challenger, Miramar, and Outlaw motorhomes. The motorized windshield roller shade at the driver's seating position may unroll without warning while driving.

Risk: If the windshield roller shade unrolls while driving, it could block the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a fastener to ensure the motor will not allow the shade to roll down during while driving. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000165.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Aug 29, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V572000 · 138 vehicles

Problem: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Outlaw motorhomes, model 29J. The 12V wiring for the coach may have been improperly wired to the battery instead of wired through a circuit breaker.

Risk: In the event of an electrical short circuit, the unprotected circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will correct the circuit's wiring, free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000160.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Visibility

Jul 19, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V482000 · 119 vehicles

Problem: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Thor Outlaw motorhomes, model 29J. These vehicles were manufactured without the rear reflex reflectors, which can make the vehicle less visible to other drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Missing rear reflex reflectors can make the vehicle less visible to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy & notes

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install the missing reflectors, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC0000157.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Belts

Feb 19, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V120000 · 65 vehicles

Problem: Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Outlaw recreational vehicles, model 29J. The sofa seat belt bracket may not meet the strength requirements and may not adequately restrain an occupant in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."

Risk: If the bracket does not meet the strength requirements, the anchorage may fail in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a new bracket, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2018. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000151.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Equipment

Nov 22, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V758000 · 110,400 vehicles

Problem: 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

Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Electrical System

Jun 15, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V381000 · 38 vehicles

Problem: Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain 2018 Outlaw 29H motorhomes. The affected vehicles were built incorrectly with a 15 amp fuse for the awning light instead of a 2 amp fuse.

Risk: If the awning light circuit short circuits, the incorrect fuse may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the 15 amp fuse with a 2 amp fuse, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2017. Owner's may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000143.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Unknown or other1

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

Complaints by year filed

NHTSA investigations

Trailer Hitch Receiver Structure May Crack and Separate

PE24023 · opened Aug 14, 2024 · closed Jan 16, 2026

Summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation, PE24023, on August 14, 2024, to investigate allegations of Thor Motor Coach motorhome frame or trailer hitch structure cracking and separating. The hitch was manufactured by Lippert and installed by Thor as standard original equipment. ODI received eight Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) describing the hitch structure cracking. If not caught in time, a cracked hitch can fully fracture and separate from the vehicle. ODI sent information requests to Thor and Lippert on September 6, 2024 and September 27, 2024, respectively. Thor's full response was received October 31, 2024, and Lippert's full response was received December 6, 2024. ODI reviewed the responses and learned of improvements introduced to increase the overall strength of the system. The manufacturers reported 32 total incidents, and ODI is aware of 37 non-duplicative subject vehicle incidents in total, including four crash incidents where the towed vehicle separated and struck a roadside feature. The overall failure rate for all subject vehicles is low, and ODI isnot aware of any failures on vehicles produced in the last 30 months. Although a defect has not been identified, the manufacturers understand the seriousness of a potential hitch receiver structure failure. As a result, Thor, supported by Lippert, is conducting a customer satisfaction campaign that instructs consumers to inspect their hitch structure and informs what to look for…

2018 vs. other Thor Motor Coach Outlaw years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2018. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2018 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns covering the 2018 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw, the latest from Nov 16, 2018 (visibility). 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 2018 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (5), electrical system (1), steering (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.