- The problem
- Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt 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 be unstable.
- The risk
- Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Damon Challenger Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 2008 Damon Challenger with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (2) and the equipment & accessories (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in November 2015 for the recreational vehicle / trailer. For comparison, the 2007 has 2 and the 2009 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Challenger year, for its age
#338 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Damon Challenger problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 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
- Thor motor coach is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 damon challenger, model year 2008-2009 challenger platinum, model year 2007-2011 daybreak, model year 2010 daybreak classic, model year 2009-2010 daybreak sport, model year 2007-2009, outlaw and model year 2011 four winds hurricane, recreational vehicles manufactured from march 2007, through august 2008. The fuel-fill cap assemblies used to seal the unused side of the dual-fill gasoline fuel tank were produced with a hose material that did not meet design specifications. During normal usage the hose material may deteriorate which may result in fuel leaks.
- The risk
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire which may result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
- The fix
- Navistar/workhorse is handling the remedy and owner notification for this campaign please see navistar/workhorse's defect report 10v-348. Navistar/workhorse will replace the original fuel-fill cap assemblies with ones assembled with hose material that meets design specifications. This service will be performed free of charge. Owners may contact navistar at 1-260-461-1890.
- The problem
- Damon is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 challenger, model year 2005-2007 intruder motor homes. These motor homes do not have the proper clearance between the rear suspension leaf spring and the vehicle liquid propane fuel tank. As the suspension travels it is possible for the leaf spring shackle bolt to come in contact with the tank. This potentially could puncture the tank and result in a fire or explosion.
- The risk
- In the event of a fire or explosion, there is a potential for property damage, personal injury or death.
- The fix
- Damon will inspect to see if the proper clearance between the shackle bolt and the tank exists. If it is found there is not enough clearance, the tank will be relocated to provide the proper clearance. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 6, 2010. Owners may contact damon warranty service department at 877-855-2867.
- 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.
What owners say
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3 complaints about the 2008 Damon Challenger
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 damon challenger. The contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v745000 (equipment) several years ago however, he did not contact a dealer or the manufacturer to have the recall serviced. The contact stated recently the retractable steps failed to completely retract. The contact stated he had to bend the handrails in order for the steps to retract. The local dealer nor the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 19,000.
Windshield wipers failed in the middle of the glass during a rainstorm. Very dangerous. The motor is running so has power but the link to the arms is stalled out with drive arm jammed against the mounting bolt. 28" Arms are too long so have been replaced with 24" blades as used in 2007. Defective windshield wiper assembly with linkage. This is the second assembly to fail within 3 years on the same motorhome.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 damon challenger. While driving approximately 65 mph the tv, which was positioned on the ceiling above the driver and passengers seat began to slide forward. Upon further examination he noticed that the mounting screws were out of place. The vehicle was driven onto the emergency lane and he replaced the mounting screws. After driving another 200 miles the failure recurred and he added a larger set of screws to mount the tv in place. While exiting the vehicle he also noticed that the steps...
Read the full complaint
to exit the vehicle were severely deteriorated. He performed a repair on the steps himself as well. The rv was taken to the dealer to be examined for step failure. The failure mileage was 14,300 and the current mileage was 15,200. Updated 02/10/11 *bf updated 04/20/11
Damon Challenger: every year compared
All Challenger years2008 Damon Challenger vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Damon Challenger | 3 | 4 | C | |
| 2008 Damon Astoria | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Damon Tuscany | 1 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2008 Damon Outlaw | 1 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2008 Damon Daybreak | 1 | 4 | 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 2008 Damon Challenger
Does the 2008 Damon Challenger have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2008 Damon Challenger: recreational vehicle / trailer (November 2015); tank assembly (January 2011); tank assembly (September 2010); service brakes, hydraulic (June 2009). 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 2008 Damon Challenger?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (2), equipment & accessories (1), visibility & wipers (1).
How many complaints has the 2008 Damon Challenger had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 26, 2010 and the latest on April 5, 2021. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Damon Challenger a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 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 2008 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