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: 1 of 2 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.
Service Brakes, Air. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. 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
2 reports
82,000 miles · Oct 29, 2015
SteeringSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TIFFIN PHAETON. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR HOME AND TOWING A VEHICLE BY THE FLAT TOW, A POTHOLE WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED SWAYED AND THE MOTOR HOME WAS UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TIFFIN PHAETON. WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR HOME AND TOWING A VEHICLE BY THE FLAT TOW, A POTHOLE WAS ENCOUNTERED. THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED SWAYED AND THE MOTOR HOME WAS UNABLE TO BE STEERED. THE FAILURE WAS PERSISTENT. THE MOTOR HOME WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10787082
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2008
Service Brakes, Air
THE AIR HOSES FOR THE REAR AIR BRAKES ARE PLACED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THEY RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WILL FAIL WHEN THEY RUB A HOLE IN A HOSE. WHEN THE HOSE FAILS THE REAR AIR BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I DISCOVERED THAT MINE HAD BEEN RUBBING BUT HAD NOT FAILED YET. MY MOTORHOME HAS 51,000 MIL…
Read full complaint
THE AIR HOSES FOR THE REAR AIR BRAKES ARE PLACED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. THEY RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WILL FAIL WHEN THEY RUB A HOLE IN A HOSE. WHEN THE HOSE FAILS THE REAR AIR BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I DISCOVERED THAT MINE HAD BEEN RUBBING BUT HAD NOT FAILED YET. MY MOTORHOME HAS 51,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES 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 SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 17, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101.
TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR AND 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 1, 2001, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TIFFIN IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE BY NORCOLD. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 09E-027. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, THESE REFRIGERATORS 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: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: TIFFIN MOTORHOMES 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 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 TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.
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.
2003 Tiffin Phaeton Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration