The 2008 Tiffin Phaeton has 9 recalls and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is structure.
How the 2008 compares
Highest
Fewest complaintsMost complaints
Highest complaint count among 20 Phaeton model years — the most of any year.
9recalls
6complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
13,500median 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.
Problem: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr motorhomes, 2007-2010 Allegro Bay motorhomes, and 2010-2011 Allegro Breeze motorhomes. The windshield wiper arms on the affected vehicles may break off.
Risk: If the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy & notes
Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper blade arms, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for this recall is TIFF-100.
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
Dec 28, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V880000 · 14,889 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may become unstable.
Risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
Remedy & notes
Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.
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
May 22, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V271000 · 4,414 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Allegro, 2010-2011 Bus and Breeze, and 2008-2011 Phaeton and Zephyr recreational vehicles, equipped with LED clearance lights made by Command Electronics, Inc. In the affected vehicles, moisture may enter the light and cause a short between two connections on the circuit board.
Risk: A short in the circuit board increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy & notes
Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will install a one amp inline fuse into the front and rear circuits that will blow if there is a short in any of the clearance lights, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2014. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
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.
Service Brakes
Aug 25, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V452000 · 1,960 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin motorhomes is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 phaeton, my 2008-2010 bus, and my 2010 allegro motorhomes equipped with kongsberg automotive adjustable brake pedals. The adjustable brake pedal arm May loosen allowing the arm to rotate around its shaft and swing in front of the accelerator pedal, reducing braking function.
Original NHTSA wording
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 PHAETON, MY 2008-2010 BUS, AND MY 2010 ALLEGRO MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDALS. THE ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL ARM MAY LOOSEN ALLOWING THE ARM TO ROTATE AROUND ITS SHAFT AND SWING IN FRONT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REDUCING BRAKING FUNCTION.
Risk: A loose brake pedal increases the risk of a crash.
Original NHTSA wording
A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy & notes
Damiler trucks (dtna) is performing recall repairs and notification to owners. The owners were initially notified by dtna trucks on December 22, 2009, and a follow up notice was mailed to owners on July 20, 2011. Owners May contact dtna warranty claims department at 1-800-547-0712 or Tiffin motorhomes at 1-256-356-8661 for more information.
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
Nov 22, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V585000 · 2,717 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin is recalling certain recreational vehicles 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
TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES 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
Tiffin 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 February 17, 2011. Owners May contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or Tiffin at 1-256-356-8661.
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> .
Trailer Hitches
Feb 27, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V069000 · 1,408 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin is recalling 1,408 my 2006-2009 allegro bus, my 2007-2009 phaeton and my 2005-2009 zephyr vehicles built on spartan chassis and equipped with putman hitches. Certain trailer hitches May fracture which could result in the loss of the trailer.
Original NHTSA wording
TIFFIN IS RECALLING 1,408 MY 2006-2009 ALLEGRO BUS, MY 2007-2009 PHAETON AND MY 2005-2009 ZEPHYR VEHICLES BUILT ON SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH PUTMAN HITCHES. CERTAIN TRAILER HITCHES MAY FRACTURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF THE TRAILER.
Risk: Suspect hitches May develop fractures and subsequent separation May occur, resulting in a vehicle crash, property damage or pedestrian harm.
Original NHTSA wording
SUSPECT HITCHES MAY DEVELOP FRACTURES AND SUBSEQUENT SEPARATION MAY OCCUR, RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PEDESTRIAN HARM.
Remedy & notes
Tiffin is working with spartan and spartan is handling the remedy for this campaign (please see 08V-567). The trailer hitch will be replaced free of charge. Owners May contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400 or Tiffin at 256-356-8661.
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> .
Steering
Aug 1, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V393000 · 271 vehicles
Problem: Tiffin is recalling 271 my 2007-2008 phaeton class a motor homes equipped with Freightliner chassis. The aac front axle steering arm bolts with a latch lever pivot bolt assembly May have been over- tightened.
Original NHTSA wording
TIFFIN IS RECALLING 271 MY 2007-2008 PHAETON CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE AAC FRONT AXLE STEERING ARM BOLTS WITH A LATCH LEVER PIVOT BOLT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN OVER- TIGHTENED.
Risk: Over-tightened steering arm bolts May fatigue and fracture increasing the risk of a crash.
Original NHTSA wording
OVER-TIGHTENED STEERING ARM BOLTS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy & notes
Tiffin is working with Freightliner to have the steering arm tie rod fasteners inspected and replaced. The steering arm will be inspected for clearance to the king pin boss. Freightliner is handling the remedy for this campaign. Owners May contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
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.
Suspension
Jun 17, 2008 · NHTSA campaign 08V269000 · 2,506 vehicles
Problem: Daimler trucks is recalling 2,506 my 2008 xc motor home chassis and thomas built hdx school and transit buses equipped with saf-holland adl series rear suspensions. In some instances the transverse beam was not properly welded which could result in a failure of the weld.
Original NHTSA wording
DAIMLER TRUCKS IS RECALLING 2,506 MY 2008 XC MOTOR HOME CHASSIS AND THOMAS BUILT HDX SCHOOL AND TRANSIT BUSES EQUIPPED WITH SAF-HOLLAND ADL SERIES REAR SUSPENSIONS. IN SOME INSTANCES THE TRANSVERSE BEAM WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE OF THE WELD.
Risk: If the weld fails, vehicle stability while cornering could be affected resulting in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a crash. In addition, the transverse beam could drop to the ground causing sparks that could cause a fire hazard.
Original NHTSA wording
IF THE WELD FAILS, VEHICLE STABILITY WHILE CORNERING COULD BE AFFECTED RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSVERSE BEAM COULD DROP TO THE GROUND CAUSING SPARKS THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy & notes
Daimler trucks is working with saf-holland to have a visual inspection of the adl transverse beam performed. If a weld defect is identified, saf-holland will provide a service replacement kit that contains a new transverse beam, all necessary installation hardware, beam replacement, and instructions free of charge (please see 08E031). The recall recall began on September 12, 2008 (thomas built buses) and October 8, 2008. Owners May contact saf-holland at 1-231-773-3271 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
Daimler trucks recall no. Fl-530.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
Aug 15, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V363000 · 1,672 vehicles
Problem: On certain motor home chassis, there May be a loose connection between the bus bar and a grid pad due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. Electrical power May be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems (engine, transmission, starting, cooling) causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up.
Original NHTSA wording
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS, THERE MAY BE A LOOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BUS BAR AND A GRID PAD DUE TO THE PINS BEING SLIGHTLY SMALLER DIAMETERS AFTER ASSEMBLY. ELECTRICAL POWER MAY BE LOST TO COMPONENTS OF THE MAJOR CHASSIS OPERATING SYSTEMS (ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STARTING, COOLING) CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AND/OR NOT BE CAPABLE OF POWERING UP.
Risk: Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: Loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, starting and engine cooling systems, operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal, the anti-lock brake system, auxiliary brake system, the heater elements in the air dryer, and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator.
Original NHTSA wording
EACH VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS COULD OCCUR: LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STARTING AND ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS, OPERATION OF THE RIGHT CHASSIS STOP/TURN SIGNAL AND RIGHT TRAILER STOP/TURN SIGNAL, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM, AUXILIARY BRAKE SYSTEM, THE HEATER ELEMENTS IN THE AIR DRYER, AND THE HEATER ELEMENT IN THE WATER-IN-FUEL SEPARATOR.
Remedy & notes
The dvec bussmann box will be replaced. The recall began on January 16, 2008. Owners May contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400.
Spartan recall no. 07025.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.
Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.
Complaints by year filed
NHTSA investigations
Loss of Windshield Wiper Function
PE16004 · opened Apr 13, 2016 · closed Sep 3, 2016 · led to recall 16V532000
Summary
Based on two Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) alleging windshield wiper failures at the pivot assembly on Phaeton model Motorhomes, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE).During the investigation Tiffin made ODI aware of 66 warranty claims for wiper failures and also informed ODI of a design change to the wiper motor. Based on the VOQ received by ODI, the vehicles subject to this investigation were 2008 MY Tiffin Phaeton Motorhomes.During the investigation Tiffin identified additional models that used the same subject windshield wiper components.The additional models include 2007-2011 MY Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr, 2007-2010 MY Allegro Bay and 2010-2011 MY Allegro Breeze motorhomes.As part of the investigation, fleet operators, professional drivers, law enforcement personal, engineers from the Vehicle Research Test Center and complainants were interviewed.ODI leveraged these interviews to demonstrate that the wiper failures represented a safety defect.Tiffin concurred and during the PE process decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall (16V-532).Tiffin found that if the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.The Tiffin recall was received prior to the required response date of an Information Request (IR) letter ODI had sent them.As a result, there is no manufacturer IR response on record.This investigation is closed with Safety Recall (16V-532).The ODI re…
2008 vs. other Tiffin Phaeton years
Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2008. Click a bar to switch year.
Questions
Does the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns covering the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton, the latest from Jul 13, 2016 (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 2008 Tiffin Phaeton?
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention structure (3), engine (1), equipment (1). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.
Recalls by Model