- The problem
- Damon is recalling 2,415 motorhomes equipped with axles that include bosch zops or zoht pin slide hydraulic disc brakes. When combined with occasional or seasonal vehicle operation may experience calipers sticking in the applied position. This can result in abnormal heat generation at the wheel end causing brake drag.
- The risk
- The driver would normally detect the brake drag but if undetected the temperature increase at the wheel end can eventually lead to soft pedal conditions due to brake fluid boil, and possible extended stopping distance increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components free of charge. Workhorse is handling the remedy and owner notification for this campaign please see 09v-110. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Damon Challenger Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2003 Damon Challenger with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (2) and the brakes (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in June 2009 for the service brakes, hydraulic. For comparison, the 2002 has 2 and the 2004 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Challenger year, for its age
#248 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Damon Challenger problems
Share of all 7 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Damon Challenger recalls 4
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Certain travel trailers and motor homes equipped with a two-door refrigerator, manufactured by the dometic corporation, 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.
- The risk
- Release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.
- The fix
- Damon 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 you 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 damon at 1-800-860-3812.
- The problem
- Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with actia corporate instrument clusters fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, "Controls and displays" and no. 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems." If the brake fail input falls below a voltage of 1.5V, the brake failure lamp and alarm will be activated. Also activation of the abs telltale when the abs is not properly functioning does not always occur.
- The risk
- At night the instrument cluster lights may fail and the driver may not be able to see the instrument panel gauges and the brake warning light indicator which could increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Damon is working with workhorse to contact the owners and remedy this campaign . Workhorse will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731 or damon at 1-800-860-3812.
- The problem
- Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "Hydraulic and electric brake systems." The brake system warning indicator may not function as required by standard.
- The risk
- In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.
- The fix
- Dealers will repair the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification is began may 12, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact damon at 1-219-272-9212.
What owners say
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7 complaints about the 2003 Damon Challenger
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 damon challenger, workhorse recreational vehicle. She received a recall letter pertaining to the failure (see nhtsa campaign id number: 09v225000, nhtsa action number: ea07016, component: service brakes, hydraulic) and took the vehicle to the nearest authorized dealer. Before any repair work was performed on the vehicle the dealer stated that the repair was at no cost; however, the dealer advised her that the vehicle was ready for pick-up. The repairs cost was over $800 and would not be...
Read the full complaint
covered by the manufacturer despite the fact that her specific rv was a part of the recall. The workhorse dealer would not cover the inspection to the vehicle nor the replacement of any parts since the parts are subject to wear. The manufacturer was contacted and verified that there was an open recall on the vehicle; however, she was advised by the customer service agent that she needed to speak with the regional manager since he was not authorized to give her any additional information pertaining to the issue. The contact was upset that she was being charged for components and inspections listed in the recall. The recall was not honored. Repairs were made to the brakes, brake pads, a flush was performed and an inspection, all of which were at the owners expense. The failure and current mileages were under 33,000.
Stalling when it rains. It seems that the air filter is right in front of the right front wheel. When it rains the front tire kicks up water in the air filter housing soaking the air filter causing the engine to quit running. This happens every time it rains hard. I have to replace the filter in order to continue driving. Carrying extra air filters is starting to get expensive. Right now I use duck tape to seal the filter box. *Nm
Sun visors can not be reached while sitting. I have to pull over to the side of the road to adjust. At times this is real dangerious since most of the highways do not have places wide enough to allow this. This problem happens all the time, real bad when you are traveling to the west.*Ak
The consumer is concerned about the sun visors on the motor home. While driving, the driver had to unbuckle the seat belt and stand up to reach the sunvisor. Once the visor was pulled down it was too short to block the glare of the sun and as a result the driver could not see while driving. *Nm
Inside compartment doors don't have support, this is safety a safety issue they were not well designed. Dealer notified. *Ak
Driver's and passenger's sunvisors can be reached from the seat, are useless. Dealer notified. *Ak
Passenger side rear spring shackel rubbed against the motorhomes propane tank. Dealer paid for adjustment to propane tank holding strap. *Tt
Damon Challenger: every year compared
All Challenger years2003 Damon Challenger vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Damon Challenger | 7 | 4 | C | |
| 2003 Damon Intruder | 14 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Damon Daybreak | 2 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Damon Ultrasport | 1 | 3 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Damon Challenger
Does the 2003 Damon Challenger have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Damon Challenger: service brakes, hydraulic (June 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (March 2007); instrument cluster / panel (April 2006); lamp (March 2003). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Damon Challenger?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (2), brakes (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Damon Challenger had?
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 31, 2003 and the latest on January 22, 2010. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Damon Challenger a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 41 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Damon Challenger year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Damon Challenger years have the most complaints?
2003 (7), 1998 (6), 1999 (6). See every Damon Challenger year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Damon Challenger has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data