- 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
2005 Damon Challenger Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2005 Damon Challenger with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1) and the body, doors & structure (1). Those complaints describe 2 injuries. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in June 2009 for the service brakes, hydraulic. For comparison, the 2004 has 2 and the 2006 has 3.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Challenger year, for its age
#362 most complained-about 2005 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2005 Damon Challenger problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2005 Damon Challenger recalls 5
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
- Damon is recalling 4,677 my 2004-2006 challenger, daybreak, intruder, my 2004-2005 escaper, ultrasport, and my 2005 astoria and astoria waldorf motor homes equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation. The refrigerator 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 08e032). 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 damon at
- The problem
- On certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with gm 8.1L v8 engines, improper hardening during the heat treatment process can cause the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip to fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the damper becomes loose, fuel could be pumped by the fuel pump into the under hood area.
- The risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
- The fix
- Chevrolet and workhorse are handling the owner notification and remedy for this campaign (please see 06v225 and 06v289). Dealers will replace the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clips on these engines free of charge. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, workhorse at 877-294-6773, or damon at 1-574-264-5517.
- The problem
- Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis may have been equipped with incorrect steering intermediate shafts. The spline can strip while the steering wheel is being turned.
- The risk
- This steering condition could result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Workhorse is conducting this recall (please see 06v148000) and will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering intermediate shaft. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-294-6773 or damon at 574-264-2900.
- 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.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2005 Damon Challenger
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 damon challenger rv with a workhorse w22 chassis. The contact stated received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 09v225000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for repairs. After repairs while driving 55-60 mph, the abs warning light illuminated and the brakes failed. A local mechanic was contacted who advised that the previous technician had not properly tightened the brake line down to the caliber. The authorized dealer was contacted and advised that he would cover partial expenses of the repair costs due to his error. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 14,523 and the current mileage was 14,563.
I attempted to do a narrative here before, but it was to long for your web site to accept. I have the narrative typed up and will continue here and see at the end how I can get the narrative to you buy other means. *Nm while driving the vehicle suffered a engine coolant leak. The consumer was able to pull the vehicle over onto the side of the road. The smell of the coolant made the consumers sick. The consumer suffered from labored breathing, coughing and their eyes were stinging and tearing. The warning...
Read the full complaint
light illuminated on the dash but the buzzer did not go off nor did the computer shut down the engine, as the owner's manual stated it should. The vehicle was towed to an authorized repair facility. The tech discovered that all the coolant had leaked out and that rodents had gotten into the frame rails, where the heater hoses and a lot of electrical wiring was. The rodent had eaten through the heater hoses and had made an nest. The consumer feels that eh motorhome industry needs to come up with a way to rodent proof all motorhomes. *Nm
Damon Challenger: every year compared
All Challenger years2005 Damon Challenger vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Damon Challenger | 2 | 5 | D | |
| 2005 Damon Intruder | 4 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2005 Damon Daybreak | 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 2005 Damon Challenger
Does the 2005 Damon Challenger have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2005 Damon Challenger: service brakes, hydraulic (June 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (October 2008); engine and engine cooling (November 2006); steering (June 2006) and more. 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 2005 Damon Challenger?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2005 Damon Challenger had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 19, 2006 and the latest on March 14, 2011. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2005 Damon Challenger a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 38 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than 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 2005 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