Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Equipment. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2008
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AIRSTREAM 396XL RV. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NDR1062. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY. HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF AMMONIA AND NOTICED A YELLOW RESIDUE LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE REFRIGERATOR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED N…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AIRSTREAM 396XL RV. THE VEHICLE HAS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NDR1062. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT COOLING PROPERLY. HE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF AMMONIA AND NOTICED A YELLOW RESIDUE LEAKING FROM THE BACK OF THE REFRIGERATOR. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E076000(EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE). THE DOMETIC CUSTOMER CENTER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL KIT; HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COOLING MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WOULD NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE ADDRESSED IN THE SAFETY DEFECT. A NEW REFRIGERATOR WAS PURCHASED. UPDATED 02/05/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE. UPDATED 02/09/09. *JB
ON CERTAIN DIESEL MOTOR HOMES, WHEN THE UNIT IS FULLY LOADED WITH FUEL, FLUIDS, AND PASSENGERS, THE FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) COULD BE EXCEEDED. FURTHERMORE, THE UNIT MAY HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION THAT COULD RESULT IN AN OVERLOAD CONDITION ON THE FRONT TIRE OF THE MOTOR HOME.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS OVERLOAD CONDITION COULD RESULT IN THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE FRONT TIRE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE MOTOR HOME, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT TIRES. IN ADDITION, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A POPPET KIT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE ADDED WIDTH OF THE NEW FRONT TIRES. THIS REMEDY WILL INCREASE THE FRONT GAWR. A NEW SET OF VEHICLE WEIGHT LABELS WILL BE ISSUED TO REFLECT THESE CHANGES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 25, 2002. 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 AIRSTREAM AT 1-937-596-6111, EXT. 7418 OR 7400.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2002 Airstream 396XL Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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