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: 2 of 3 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 →
Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Tires. 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
3 reports
12,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Structure
AFTER PULLING THE 53 FOOT SUNDOWNER HORSE TRAILER FOR APPROXIMATELY 12,00 MILES I NOTED BROKEN WELDS AND BROKEN AND MISSING RIVETS IN THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE HITCH. THE UNIT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND LEFT FOR 6 1/2 MONTHS FOR FACTORY REPAIR. I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL STATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY FOR NO MORE REPAIR AND WA…
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AFTER PULLING THE 53 FOOT SUNDOWNER HORSE TRAILER FOR APPROXIMATELY 12,00 MILES I NOTED BROKEN WELDS AND BROKEN AND MISSING RIVETS IN THE AREA ADJACENT TO THE HITCH. THE UNIT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND LEFT FOR 6 1/2 MONTHS FOR FACTORY REPAIR. I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL STATING THE MANUFACTURER WOULD PAY FOR NO MORE REPAIR AND WAS ENCOURAGED TO REMOVE THE TRAILER FROM THE DEALER'S PREMISES. IN APRIL 2010 I RETAINED A METALLURGICAL ENGINEER TO COMPLETE A STRESS ANALYSIS. IT WAS HIS OPINION THAT THE UNIT, UPON REPAIR WOULD DEVELOP CONTINUED PROBLEMS IN THIS AREA. HIS RECOMMENDATION WAS THAT IT BE RETURNED TO THE FACTORY TO FACILITATE THE RE-ENGINEERING. I COULD NOT AFFORD THE PROTRACTED LEGAL BATTLE AND COULD FIND NO ENGINEER WHO WOULD TESTIFY IN COURT ON MY BEHALF. MY DECISION WAS TO LET THE BANK FORECLOSED AND TAKE POSSESSION OF THE UNIT.IT IS NOW AT AN AUCTION FACILITY IN MINNESOTA WHERE THE AUCTION WILL FINALIZED ON JANUARY 6, 2011. THE URGENCY IS THAT IF IT IS NOT REPAIRED THE FRONT 10 FEET OF THE TRAILER MAY SEPARATE FROM THE UNIT AND POSSIBLY CAUSE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE VIN NO:[XXX]. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374016
Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2009
Equipment
THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON DOMETIC FULL SIZE FRIDGES; LOCATED IN TRAILERS, BUT WHEN I HAVE CALLED ALL THE DEALERS IN OUR AREA I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME RESPONSE THAT THE DOMETIC COMPANY IS NOT PAYING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICING THE RECALLS SO THEY HAVE ALL STOPPED WITH THE REPAIRS. SO IN THE MEAN TIME I AM HAULING A HORSE TRAILER W…
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THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON DOMETIC FULL SIZE FRIDGES; LOCATED IN TRAILERS, BUT WHEN I HAVE CALLED ALL THE DEALERS IN OUR AREA I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME RESPONSE THAT THE DOMETIC COMPANY IS NOT PAYING THEM FOR THEIR SERVICING THE RECALLS SO THEY HAVE ALL STOPPED WITH THE REPAIRS. SO IN THE MEAN TIME I AM HAULING A HORSE TRAILER WITH LIVING QUARTERS WITH AN EXPLOSIVE FRIDGE IN IT; ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO GET THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM CORRECTED WITHOUT ME HAVING TO SPEND ALL THIS TIME FINDING SOMEONE OF DRIVING HOURS OUT OF MY ALREADY BUSY LIFE TO SAVE A LIFE OF A PERSON OR HORSE??????? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273619
8,000 miles · Dec 1, 2008
Tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUNDOWNER SUNLITE LQ. TRAIL AMERICA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THREE TIRES FAILED ON THE TRAILER WITHIN THREE MONTHS (AUGUST-OCTOBER). THE BLOWOUTS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. CHUNKS OF THE TIRES AND TREAD BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER ROAD HAZARD. THE FEN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUNDOWNER SUNLITE LQ. TRAIL AMERICA TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THREE TIRES FAILED ON THE TRAILER WITHIN THREE MONTHS (AUGUST-OCTOBER). THE BLOWOUTS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. CHUNKS OF THE TIRES AND TREAD BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT DID NOT DRIVE OVER A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER ROAD HAZARD. THE FENDER ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HORSE TRAILER WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. UPDATED 1/6/09 *CN UPDATED 01/14/09.*JB
SUNDOWNER IS RECALLING 4,535 SUNLITE LIVING QUARTER TRAILERS (MODELS 575 GN, 700 GN, 705 GN, 720 GN, 725 GN, 727 GN, 737, 740, 760, 777 GN, CARGO GN, STOCK GN, PROSTOCK GN, AND STAMPEDESL GN). THESE TRAILERS MAY NOT BE EQUIPPED WITH A FUSE IN LINE WITH THE WIRE HARNESS THAT CONNECTS TO THE TOW VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF AN IMPROPERLY WIRED TOW VEHICLE IS CONNECTED TO THE TRAILER WIRING HARNESS, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE RESULTING IN PROPER DAMAGE, INJURY TO A CONSUMER AND/OR LIVESTOCK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE TRAILERS AND IF IT IS ONE OF THE SUSPECTED TRAILERS, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IN LINE FUSE IN THE WIRE HARNESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUNDOWNER AT 1-800-654-3879.
SUNDOWNER IS RECALLING 2,185 MY 2003-2006 SUNLITE LQ HORSE TRAILERS 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: SUNDOWNER 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 SUNDOWNER AT 1-580-937-4256.
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.
2005 Sundowner Sunlite Lq Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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