Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

Airstream Interstate Engine problems by year

3 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Airstream Interstate's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20202000
20161000

Latest Interstate engine 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....

Read the full complaint

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...

Read the full complaint

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...

Read the full complaint

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

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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience