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2004-2024 · 20 model years

Airstream Interstate Problems by year

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the Airstream Interstate across 20 model years, and it has 20 recalls. The 2020 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (2). The most reported problem area is the electrical system, followed by the engine & cooling.

Most complaints for its age20202 complaints · 3 recallsSee the 2020
Complaints
10
Recalls
20
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Interstate complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20240400-F
20230500-F
20220500-F
20210600-F
20202300Engine & coolingF
20190300-D
20181100BrakesB
20163100Electrical systemC
20150200-C
20142101Electrical systemC
20131200-C
20120200-C
20111200Body, doors & structureD
20100200-C
20090300-D
20080200-C
20070100-A
20060100-A
20050100-A
20040100-A

Most common Interstate problems

Airstream Interstate recalls 20

Equipment: labels

23V7720003,460 vehicles affected

Airstream, Inc. (Airstream) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Interstate 19, Interstate 24, Interstate 24X, Rangeline and Atlas motorhomes. The Federal Certification Label and Tire Placard may indicate incorrect tire pressure and tire size. As such, these...

Latest Interstate complaints

2020 Airstream InterstateEngine & cooling

Follow-up to a prior complaint on this VIN regarding a dangerous limp-mode event caused by a failed DEF injection nozzle. While climbing a steep grade on [redacted] in [[redacted]], the DEF dosing nozzle leaked, putting the vehicle into limp mode. Vehicle was limited to ~27 mph while surrounding traffic, including semi-trucks, moved at ~65 mph, creating a serious collision hazard on a grade with limited passing room. An authorized MB dealer (Mercedes-Benz of [[redacted]], [[redacted]]) replaced the nozzle....

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Vehicle then re-entered limp mode with no codes stored. Further diagnosis found the DPF clogged/broken, requiring full replacement. Prior to this trip, the same vehicle's EGR valve had already been cleaned twice and eventually replaced with the EGR cooler. Mercedes-Benz has separately extended the EGR valve warranty on this model range to 15 yrs/150,000 miles, indicating a known reliability issue. EGR problems are mechanically linked to DPF soot loading, and may have contributed to this DPF failure. All failures (EGR, DEF nozzle, DPF) occurred at approximately 72,815 miles - well under 100,000 miles and well short of the manufacturer's stated ~150,000-mile design life for these components. Filing to document a pattern of premature emissions-system failures on this platform and the real safety hazard created when the vehicle was forced into a dangerously slow, uncontrolled speed on a high-traffic mountain highway grade. It appears both the Diesel Particulate Filter, Injector Nozzle were the main failure points of this emission system. It should have at least a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty (not 5yr, 100,000)! VIN: [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Engine · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11755069
2020 Airstream InterstateEngine & cooling

Driving in the mountains on I-70 in Colorado, the check engine light came on indicating an emission issue. The vehicle would only go a 27 mph in a 65 mph zone. I had to drive in the right lane with semis and other vehicles passing me. I got to the dealer and they are saying the the DEF injector/dosing module (injects urea into the exhaust stream ahead of the SCR catalyst) had failed. This component Needs to be added to the recall list. This is a very dangerous situation and the dealer says he has replace many...

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before. Under the Dieselgate emission modification (per the 2021 Daimler/EPA/CARB settlement), the DEF/SCR system components got even more explicit extended coverage, since the settlement warranty language specifically calls out the SCR catalyst and related dosing components for extended protection beyond the base warranty. This component is failing on a regular basis and should be added to the recall regardless of whether it had the diesel gate modification.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11748134
2016 Airstream InterstateElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

This complaint concerns a 2016 Airstream Interstate motorhome that has experienced multiple safety-critical failures involving the electrical system, engine starting system, fuel/propulsion system, and electrically controlled exterior components. While driving at highway speed, the exterior power awning deployed without warning or user input. The awning repeatedly extended and retracted uncontrollably, and the control switches were ineffective. I was forced to pull over on the freeway shoulder, cut electrical...

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power to stop the motion, manually retract the awning, and secure it to prevent detachment. This created an immediate risk of collision and danger to surrounding motorists. Additional failures include complete engine non-start, generator failure, and a severe propane odor originating from the exterior propane system. The propane odor was strong enough to trigger the interior propane alarm, indicating a potential fire or explosion risk. The vehicle is now completely inoperable. The engine will not start and the ignition key will not turn. The vehicle cannot be driven and would require towing for inspection. These failures occurred progressively under normal use and were not caused by collision, misuse, or modification. This vehicle is a 2016 Airstream Interstate built on a 2015 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis; the VIN corresponds to the Mercedes chassis model year.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11711949
2014 Airstream InterstateElectrical system

I test drove a black Sprinter (with everything working) in June 2022, and I subsequently mailed a $5,000 deposit in June 2022, to have the vehicle removed off the inventory lot until I tendered the balance. I came to the dealership on [[redacted]], to purchase the Sprinter that I test drove; and the radio, front tv, rear bench seat, back up camera and step was not working properly. They instructed me to take the RV to a local Georgia location (where I live). Upon inspection and diagnosis Multiple problems found...

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that all need to be addressed. For some unknown reason a jumper wire had been installed between the chassis batteries and the coach batteries. I can only assume this was used to trick the inverter into charging even when the coach batteries were low. This wire needs to be removed. Incorrect batteries. The unit has 2 wet cell batteries, these need to be AGMs, this is a health and fire hazard. The inverter charger is only outputting12VDC at 7A, even though it is rated for 50A. The internal fan makes a clicking/rubbing sounds when it turns on, the inverter needs to be replaced. It is a Magnum MMS1012. The battery disconnect is not working remotely, I have verified the switch wiring and continuity. The disconnect is faulty, AS P# 512604. Also, it was later discovered that the macerator mounting bolts are badly rusted to a point they will not come off without breaking and they are also welded to the mounting bracket. Upon review of my paperwork, photos & videos taken during the test drive, I discovered that the vehicle that I test drove was actually a 2015 Sprinter and not the 2014, that they sold to me. The dealership deliberately switched the vehicle without telling me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11565253
2018 Airstream InterstateBrakes

There is an open recall NHTSA #21V042 that no dealers in Colorado can repair until March 2022. Parts are available but they claim to be book through March due to all the current recalls. This is a safety issue since wet conditions can cause the sensor to disable the electronic stability control. This is on a 4x4 vehicle that will be used during the winter in Colorado. I would like to have an authorized Mercedes repair facility do the repair since the dealer is not able to accommodate a reasonable timeline.

Filed Incident Service brakesNHTSA 11435036
2014 Airstream InterstateElectrical systemFire

An airstream interstate owner experienced a fire in his/her vehicle in june 2018. Http://www.Airforums.Com/forums/f240/electrical-burning-heavy-smoke-w-3yr-old-grandson-sleeping-in-ai-182891.Html it appeared that a magnum energy inc. Mms1012 caught fire under conditions identical to those described in nhtsa safety recall report 17v-704. The defect described in nhtsa safety recall report 17v-704 is present in the airstream interstate vehicles 2014-2018, until airstream changed the design of the electrical...

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system in the 2019 model year (presumably to remedy this safety risk). The risk is much greater in the airstream vehicles, however, because 1) the magnum mms1012 is (improperly) mounted on a flammable wood board in a flammable wood box, and 2) the mms1012 is mounted directly underneath the sleeping area of the rv inside the cabin. It appears airstream became aware of this risk more than a year ago, because airstream changed the design of the rv electrical system in the 2019 model year, presumably to remedy the risk. Airstream has not issued a service bulletin or recall yet to apply the remedy to older model years (2014-2018). Since the risk is already identified as described in 17v-704, I think the nhtsa should expand the recall to include all airstream interstate rvs from 2014 to 2018, because airstream appears unwilling to take remedial action on their own.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11110623

Questions about the Airstream Interstate

Which Airstream Interstate years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2016 (3), 2014 (2), 2020 (2). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2020 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Airstream Interstate years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2004, 2005, 2006 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Interstate years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Airstream Interstate problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the electrical system (4), engine & cooling (3), body, doors & structure (1) most often.

How many recalls does the Airstream Interstate have?

NHTSA lists 20 recalls across all Airstream Interstate model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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