- The problem
- Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Allegro, Allegro Bus, Phaeton, and Zephyr motorhomes, 2007-2010 Allegro Bay motorhomes, and 2010-2011 Allegro Breeze motorhomes. The windshield wiper arms on the affected vehicles may break off.
- The risk
- If the windshield wiper arms break, the driver's visibility may be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper blade arms, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for this recall is TIFF-100.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Tiffin Phaeton Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (3) and the equipment & accessories (1). It is covered by 9 recalls, the latest in July 2016 for the windshield wiper / washer. For comparison, the 2007 has 1 and the 2009 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Phaeton year, for its age
#277 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 9
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Tiffin Phaeton problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 Tiffin Phaeton recalls 9
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 Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps 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 become unstable.
- The risk
- Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.
- The problem
- Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Allegro, 2010-2011 Bus and Breeze, and 2008-2011 Phaeton and Zephyr recreational vehicles, equipped with LED clearance lights made by Command Electronics, Inc. In the affected vehicles, moisture may enter the light and cause a short between two connections on the circuit board.
- The risk
- A short in the circuit board increases the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will install a one amp inline fuse into the front and rear circuits that will blow if there is a short in any of the clearance lights, free of charge. The recall began on July 31, 2014. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
- The problem
- Tiffin motorhomes is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 phaeton, my 2008-2010 bus, and my 2010 allegro motorhomes equipped with kongsberg automotive adjustable brake pedals. The adjustable brake pedal arm may loosen allowing the arm to rotate around its shaft and swing in front of the accelerator pedal, reducing braking function.
- The risk
- A LOOSE BRAKE PEDAL INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- The fix
- Damiler trucks (dtna) is performing recall repairs and notification to owners. The owners were initially notified by dtna trucks on december 22, 2009, and a follow up notice was mailed to owners on july 20, 2011. Owners may contact dtna warranty claims department at 1-800-547-0712 or tiffin motorhomes at 1-256-356-8661 for more information.
- The problem
- Tiffin 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 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 recall began on february 17, 2011. Owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or tiffin at 1-256-356-8661.
- The problem
- Tiffin is recalling 1,408 my 2006-2009 allegro bus, my 2007-2009 phaeton and my 2005-2009 zephyr vehicles built on spartan chassis and equipped with putman hitches. Certain trailer hitches may fracture which could result in the loss of the trailer.
- The risk
- Suspect hitches may develop fractures and subsequent separation may occur, resulting in a vehicle crash, property damage or pedestrian harm.
- The fix
- Tiffin is working with spartan and spartan is handling the remedy for this campaign (please see 08v-567). The trailer hitch will be replaced free of charge. Owners may contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400 or tiffin at 256-356-8661.
- The problem
- Tiffin is recalling 271 my 2007-2008 phaeton class a motor homes equipped with freightliner chassis. The aac front axle steering arm bolts with a latch lever pivot bolt assembly may have been over- tightened.
- The risk
- Over-tightened steering arm bolts may fatigue and fracture increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Tiffin is working with freightliner to have the steering arm tie rod fasteners inspected and replaced. The steering arm will be inspected for clearance to the king pin boss. Freightliner is handling the remedy for this campaign. Owners may contact freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.
- The problem
- Daimler trucks is recalling 2,506 my 2008 xc motor home chassis and thomas built hdx school and transit buses equipped with saf-holland adl series rear suspensions. In some instances the transverse beam was not properly welded which could result in a failure of the weld.
- The risk
- If the weld fails, vehicle stability while cornering could be affected resulting in loss of vehicle control, possibly resulting in a crash. In addition, the transverse beam could drop to the Ground causing sparks that could cause a fire hazard.
- The fix
- Daimler trucks is working with saf-holland to have a visual inspection of The adl transverse beam performed. If a weld defect is identified, saf-holland will provide a service replacement kit that contains a new transverse beam, all necessary installation hardware, Beam replacement, and instructions free of charge (please see 08e031). The recall recall began on september 12, 2008 (thomas built buses) and october 8, 2008. Owners may contact saf-holland at 1-231-773-3271 or daimler trucks at 1-800-547-0712.
- The problem
- On certain motor home chassis, there may be a loose connection between the bus bar and a grid pad due to the pins being slightly smaller diameters after assembly. Electrical power may be lost to components of the major chassis operating systems (engine, transmission, starting, cooling) causing the vehicle to shut down and/or not be capable of powering up.
- The risk
- Each vehicle could potentially experience a unique circumstance where one or a combination of the following conditions could occur: loss of electrical power to the engine, transmission, starting and engine cooling systems, operation of the right chassis stop/turn signal and right trailer stop/turn signal, the anti-lock brake system, auxiliary brake system, the heater elements in the air dryer, and the heater element in the water-in-fuel separator.
- The fix
- The dvec bussmann box will be replaced. The recall began on january 16, 2008. Owners may contact spartan at 1-517-543-6400.
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
During annual maintenance of subject vehicle it was noted that the passenger side rear (behind rear axle) appeared to be sagging. Upon further inspection it was found that a welded bracket that holds the body to the chassis had broken the weld and/or the bracket steel had failed which left the body in the affected area unattached to the chassis. Additional failure in this area could cause the area to fall lower and drop on the rear wheels causing loss of control of the vehicle.
Drivers side widow fogged between the panes of glass. This severely limits the drivers ability to see cross traffic, or vehicles along side.
We have found cracks and/or fractures on the roof of our 2008 tiffin phaeton qsh motor home. These cracks are mostly along the curved edge of the fiberglass roof. This defect seems to be caused by poor quality materials and poor design by tiffin motor homes leading to cracks due to "flexing" of the vehicle structural frame during travel. This vehicle defect has been widely reported to tiffin by many owners of their products beginning in 2007 (and perhaps before) through 2011 models based on information from...
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dealers and other motor home owners. These cracks lead to moisture seeping through to interior walls and could create an environmental issue due to mold within the inside of the vehicle behind the interior walls. Tiffin motor homes has not notified any vehicle owners of this defect; therefore, causing many of these vehicles to be sold by current owners to other consumers that are not aware of the defect and potential mold issues. It has been reported that tiffin is "repairing" this defect that involves most all of their diesel pusher models, but only if the owner brings the rv to their red bay, al, service facility, with service appointments several months out at this time. This puts undue hardship and expense on most owners and will, most likely, lead to a low rate of repair of this defect on many vehicles. Tiffin motor homes should be required to acknowledge and report this structural defect to all current owners of models impacted and provide qualified service facilities nationwide to repair this defect, including certified mold remediation. Tiffin should also be required to report how this major structural defect has been corrected, if it has actually been corrected, by engineering and design changes in current model year vehicles. *Tr
The wet bay floor holding the fresh water, gray water, and black water tanks has rotted underneath the motorcoach due to the poor design/engineering by tiffin motor homes, as well as very poor quality materials used. There is very little structural support for the tanks underneath the vehicle. All of the tanks and wet bay area have to be removed in order to evaluate the full extent of the rotting and mold in this area. The interior floor of the motor home has also begun to drop likely due to this rotting. Tiffin...
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motor homes is fully aware of this major defect in vehicles dating back to 2006 or before on most diesel pusher models involving hundreds to several thousand vehicles. Based on reports from other tiffin owners there has been minimal or no engineering or material changes made to subsequent model years. The company is "replacing or repairing" this major defect, but only if the motor home is brought to their red bay, al, service facility and service appointments are currently 12 to 18 months out. This requires an almost 2000 mile drive for us to have a major safety defect repaired. But we must get to the repair facility without our tanks falling off the motor home onto the roadway causing a very serious safety problem for us and other drivers as well as a potential environmental issue because these tanks are holding tanks for sewage and have been treated with chemicals. Other owners have reported having to weld additional support beams under their rv themselves in order to drive and get it in for repair. A rotting undercarriage of an rv is dangerous on highways and tiffin should be required to repair this problem immediately, at qualified service facilities throughout the country, at their cost. There should be a full investigation into why tiffin has knowingly failed to correct this defect for years creating safety issues and expense for owners. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 tiffin phaeton 40 qs8 rv. The contact stated that he received notification of a recall for his norcold 1210 refrigerator stating that the failure could potentially cause a fire. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for the repair, but the contact was informed that there would be a 2 to 3 week wait for the part to become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The current and failure mileage was unknown.
We took delivery on a tiffin phaeton 2008 motorhome (vin last digits 8cz81559)nov. 9, 2007. We first drove it on the road nov. 23, 2007 And within 30 miles had overheating, low coolant, engine shutdown problems. Freightliner said to keep driving as long as it would go. We had multiple incidents with the same problem and kept getting the same answers. On june 25, 2008, we coasted to the side of a busy four lane 50 miles south of kansas city and had to be towed to cummins since freightliner had 6 tech's off to...
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school. When diagnosing the problem, cummins said freightliner had a field safety campaign 388a-f issue and the problem described had occurred. The horton fan, fan hub, belts, wiring, cac, etc. Had all been torn off with the shear of the fan bolt and wobble and final breakage. It took 6 days to get parts and fix. We left july 1st and made it as far as denver when on july 4th, it occurred again. Denver freightliner said it was the same problem and all new parts had to be ordered and replaced. It took 7 days this time. We had no notice to the recall and had to lose time and money twice within two weeks. *Tr
Tiffin Phaeton: every year compared
All Phaeton years2008 Tiffin Phaeton vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Tiffin Phaeton | 6 | 9 | D | |
| 2008 Tiffin Allegro Bus | 3 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2008 Tiffin Allegro | 2 | 7 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Tiffin Zephyr | 1 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2008 Tiffin Allegro Bay | 1 | 5 | 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 Tiffin Phaeton
Does the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 9 recalls for the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton: windshield wiper / washer (July 2016); recreational vehicle / trailer (December 2015); fuses and circuit breakers (May 2014); pedals and linkages (August 2011) 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 2008 Tiffin Phaeton?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (3), equipment & accessories (1), visibility & wipers (1).
How many complaints has the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 22, 2008 and the latest on August 12, 2024. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Tiffin Phaeton a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: more 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 2008 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