- The problem
- Tiffin motorhomes is recalling certain recreational vehicles equipped with 1200-series norcold refrigerators. The population of refrigerators being addressed contains either a sensing algorithm or thermal switch to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected in order to prevent a potential fire. The response times of the sensor algorithm and thermal switch devices to stop power are not sufficient.
- The risk
- The sensing algorithm or thermal switch installed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected due to a possible hydrogen gas leak may not shut off in sufficient time to prevent a fire.
- The fix
- Tiffin motorhomes is working with norcold to identify and notify any affected owners. Owners will be instructed to contact norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. Please see norcold's defect report 10e-049 for additional information. The safety recall began on february 17, 2011. Owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Tiffin Phaeton Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1) and the steering (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2011 for the recreational vehicle / trailer. For comparison, the 2002 has 0 and the 2004 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Phaeton year, for its age
#342 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Tiffin Phaeton problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Tiffin Phaeton recalls 3
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
- Tiffin is recalling certain recreational vehicle equipped with norcold model 1200lr and 1200lrim refrigerators, manufactured from december 1, 2001, with serial numbers between 1273701 and 1536607, non-consecutively. A fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak. If a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. At such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.
- The risk
- If a leak occurs and the unit is continues to operate, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Tiffin is working with norcold and tiffin will notify owners and the vehicle's refrigerator will be repaired free of charge by norcold. Please see norcold's defect report 09e-027. Owners may contact norcold's recall center at 1-800-767-9101.
- The problem
- On certain motor homes equipped with a two-door refrigerator manufactured by the dometic corporation, these refrigerators 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
- Tiffin motorhomes 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 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 tiffin at 1-256-356-8661.
What owners say
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2 complaints about the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 tiffin phaeton. While driving the motor home and towing a vehicle by the flat tow, a pothole was encountered. The vehicle being towed swayed and the motor home was unable to be steered. The failure was persistent. The motor home was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The air hoses for the rear air brakes are placed too close together. They rub against each other and will fail when they rub a hole in a hose. When the hose fails the rear air brakes will not work properly. This could lead to an accident. I discovered that mine had been rubbing but had not failed yet. My motorhome has 51,000 miles on it. *Tr
Tiffin Phaeton: every year compared
All Phaeton years2003 Tiffin Phaeton vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Tiffin Phaeton | 2 | 3 | B | |
| 2003 Tiffin Allegro | 11 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Tiffin Allegro Bay | 3 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Tiffin Tiffin | 1 | 0 | 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 Tiffin Phaeton
Does the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton: recreational vehicle / trailer (February 2011); recreational vehicle / trailer (November 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (November 2007). 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 Tiffin Phaeton?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1), steering (1), suspension (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 22, 2008 and the latest on October 29, 2015. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Tiffin Phaeton a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 71 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Tiffin Phaeton 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 Tiffin Phaeton years have the most complaints?
2008 (6), 2022 (6), 2011 (4). See every Tiffin Phaeton year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Tiffin Phaeton 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