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2012 Tiffin Phaeton

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

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 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.

  • Engine. Review the 2 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
Mileage unknown · Nov 2, 2022
Engine

This vehicle like many thousands has a DEF system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid in addition to Diesel fuel. This POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME, Installed by both Freight Liner and Cummins diesel, when it fails, it orverides all engine speed controls and only allows the vehicle to drive at 5 mph. THIS IS UNSAFE, DARK, HEAVILY TRAVEL…

Read full complaint

This vehicle like many thousands has a DEF system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid in addition to Diesel fuel. This POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME, Installed by both Freight Liner and Cummins diesel, when it fails, it orverides all engine speed controls and only allows the vehicle to drive at 5 mph. THIS IS UNSAFE, DARK, HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH LARGE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS, BUS'S, PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS RUNNING AT 70- TO 90 MPH coming up on a 5 MPH vehicle presents a SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR HUMAN BEINGS, CHILDREN, AND ALL OTHERS AND IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT IT IS ALLOWED AND IT IS FORCED ONTO ALL DIESEL POWERED MOTOR HOMES AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF OTHER VEHICLES. DO WE HAVE ANY REAL SAFETY PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING PAID TO MAKE OUR VEHICLES AND ROADS SAFE, THAT GIVE A DAMN. THIS SPEED CONTROL LIMIT IS A TERRIBLE WAY TO ENFORCE A POLLUTION CONTROLS SYSTEM ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. WILL ANYONE HAVE THE BACKBONE TO CORRECT THIS UNSAFE, DUMB, SYSTEM, ANYONE. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON A HIGHWAY YESTERDAY, Nov. 1, 2022 NEAR VERO BEACH, FLORIDA IN MY DIESEL PUSHER MOTOR HOME. I AM MAD AS HELL, AND ALL OF YOU SHOULD FIX THIS INSANE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11491959

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TIFFEN PHAETON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #10543275

Official recalls

7

17V841000 · Equipment

Dec 22, 2017

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Allegro and Allegro RED, Bus and Phaeton vehicles, 2009-2010 Bay vehicles, 2011-2018 Breeze vehicles, and 2009-2015, and 2017-2018 Zephyr vehicles. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that 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

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact 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 Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.

17V121000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Feb 27, 2017

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2012 Phaeton motorhomes with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH, built on PowerGlide chassis. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owner, and dealers will reconfigure the exhaust to provide extra clearance, free of charge. The recall began on March 22, 2017. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for the recall is TIF-106.

15V880000 · Equipment:recreational Vehicle/trailer

Dec 28, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: 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.

15V612000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Sep 30, 2015

Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Phaeton motorhomes built on Powerglide chassis with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH manufactured July 1, 2010, to August 1, 2011. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Insufficient spacing between the exhaust pipe and the floor may result in the insulation melting and an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will change the configuration of the exhaust to provide extra clearance between it and the floor, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Note: Although these vehicles may have been previously repaired for this condition under recall number 11V-416, it is important that the affected vehicles receive the revised remedy of this recall.

12V228000 · Service Brakes, Air

May 22, 2012

TIFFIN MOTORHOMES (TIFFIN) IS RECALLING TWO MODEL YEAR 2012 PHAETON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3030 BRAKE CHAMBERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 121, “AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS” BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET THE PARK BRAKE AND DRAW BAR REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PARK BRAKE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO HOLD THE VEHICLE IN PLACE. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AWAY AND STRIKE AND INJURE A BYSTANDER OR CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD YET AND TIFFIN HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERS THAT ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLES. SPARTAN DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED BRAKE CHAMBERS PRIOR TO SALE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN MOTORHOMES AT 1-256-356-8661.

12V048000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Feb 8, 2012

TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, 2012, AND 2013 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS PHAETON AND ZEPHYR, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.

Remedy: TIFFINS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFINS AT 256-356-8661.

11V416000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/header/muffler/tail Pipe

Aug 8, 2011

TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 PHAETON MOTORHOMES WITH FLOOR PLANS QBH, QKH, AND QTH THAT ARE BUILT WITH 2010 EPA-CERTIFIED ENGINES ON POWERGLIDE CHASSIS. THE EXHAUST PIPE IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: MELTING OF THE INSULATION CAN OCCUR, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Remedy: TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ATTACH A HEAT SHIELD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND AN INSULATING SOCK OR BLANKET WILL BE WRAPPED AROUND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT 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.