National Rv MARLIN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 to 2002 model years. Data updated: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 9 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 22.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 3 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 1 |
Tires: 3; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1; Structure:Frame And Members: 1; Suspension:Front: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10025239 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
I OWN A NATIONAL MARLIN RV AFTER I PURCHASED IT I NOTICED THAT IT HAD 235/80/R22.5 MICHELIN ON THE REAR AND 265/80/R22.5 TOYO ON THE FRONT IN 11/02 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR AND IN 01/03 I HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE REAR THE SECOND BLOWOUT WAS WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY FENDER AND BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE FLAT TOLD ME TO GO TO TCI TIRE CENTER BILL LATHROP TOLD ME THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE LARGER TIRES ON THE FRONT CAUSES THE RV…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047847 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
THE TIME DELAY ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DOES NOT PROPERLY OPERATE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE AT A FAST PACE. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY TURN THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO INCREASE VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.*PH THIS MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT BY NATIONAL RV. IT HAS A SPARTAN CHASSIS. NEITHER ONE WILL HELP FIX THE CONSUMERS RV. THE CONSUMER NOW HAS IT AT SOUTH TERMS FREIGHT LINER. THEY SAY THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE WIRING WHEN IT WAS BUILT. THEY HAVE CALLED SPARTAN MOTORS, BUT THEY WILL NOT CALL BACK. *CB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047847 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 1
Year-by-year records
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
9 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2001 | 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 333.3%ODI 10189105 · 2,500 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MARLIN NATIONAL RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES FAILED AS NOTED IN RECALL # 01V203000. NATIONAL RV STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACTS PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES HIMSELF. ALSO, NATIONAL RV STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS 37 FEET, AND THE RECALL PERTAINED TO 39 FOOT VEHICLE'S. THE CONTACT HAD A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE TIRES, AND DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE UNDERRATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. *AK … | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 111.1%ODI 10215700TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NUMBER NDR1292 (NA). THE REFRIGERATOR LEAKED AMMONIA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E076000 (EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE). THE CONSUMER STATED HE DOES NOT HAVE THE MOTORHOME. UPDATED | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 111.1%ODI 10209408RUST ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THEIR MOTOR HOME. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO THE REPAIR THEMSELVES BECAUSE DEALER WOULDN'T HELP. WHEN CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE ENTIRE UNDER FRAME WAS RUSTED. *KB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension:Front | 111.1%ODI 10064697 · 5,000 miFRONT AXLE WEIGHT RATING 01V203000 RECALL REPAIRS FAILED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAUL ANY WEIGHT IN THE MOTOR HOME. ALSO FRONT END BOTTOMED OUT, AND WHEN MAKING A TURN MOTOR HOME FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BEFORE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE MOTOR HOME. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Tires:Sidewall | 111.1%ODI 10025239 · 6,500 miI OWN A NATIONAL MARLIN RV AFTER I PURCHASED IT I NOTICED THAT IT HAD 235/80/R22.5 MICHELIN ON THE REAR AND 265/80/R22.5 TOYO ON THE FRONT IN 11/02 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR AND IN 01/03 I HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE REAR THE SECOND BLOWOUT WAS WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY FENDER AND BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE FLAT TOLD ME TO GO TO TCI TIRE CENTER BILL LATHROP TOLD ME THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE LARGER TIRES ON THE FRONT CAUSES THE RV… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 111.1%ODI 10000077 · 7,075 miBOLTS THAT HOLD KWIKEE STEP TO CHASSIS CAME LOOSE. UPON EXITING COACH, STEP WOULD NOT SUPPORT ME AND I FELL TO THE GROUND. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 111.1%ODI 10047847 · 1,000 miTHE TIME DELAY ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DOES NOT PROPERLY OPERATE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE AT A FAST PACE. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY TURN THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO INCREASE VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.*PH THIS MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT BY NATIONAL RV. IT HAS A SPARTAN CHASSIS. NEITHER ONE WILL HELP FIX THE CONSUMERS RV. THE CONSUMER NOW HAS IT AT SOUTH TERMS FREIGHT LINER. THEY SAY THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE WIRING WHEN IT WAS BUILT. THEY HAVE CALLED SPARTAN MOTORS, BUT THEY WILL NOT CALL BACK. *CB *JB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | Too few reports for a range | 2,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10189105 · 2,500 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 MARLIN NATIONAL RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES FAILED AS NOTED IN RECALL # 01V203000. NATIONAL RV STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CONTACTS PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRES HIMSELF. ALSO, NATIONAL RV STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS 37 FEET, AND THE RECALL PERTAINED TO 39 FOOT VEHICLE'S. THE CONTACT HAD A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE TIRES, AND DISCOVERED THAT THEY WERE UNDERRATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 75,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. *AK … |
| Suspension:Front | Too few reports for a range | 5,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10064697 · 5,000 miFRONT AXLE WEIGHT RATING 01V203000 RECALL REPAIRS FAILED TO CORRECT THE DEFECT. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAUL ANY WEIGHT IN THE MOTOR HOME. ALSO FRONT END BOTTOMED OUT, AND WHEN MAKING A TURN MOTOR HOME FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BEFORE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE MOTOR HOME. CONSUMER DID NOT KNOW THE NAME OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT PERFORMED RECALL REPAIRS. *AK |
| Tires:Sidewall | Too few reports for a range | 6,500 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10025239 · 6,500 miI OWN A NATIONAL MARLIN RV AFTER I PURCHASED IT I NOTICED THAT IT HAD 235/80/R22.5 MICHELIN ON THE REAR AND 265/80/R22.5 TOYO ON THE FRONT IN 11/02 I HAD A BLOWOUT ON THE REAR AND IN 01/03 I HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE REAR THE SECOND BLOWOUT WAS WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY FENDER AND BATTERY COMPARTMENT AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE MECHANIC WHO FIXED THE FLAT TOLD ME TO GO TO TCI TIRE CENTER BILL LATHROP TOLD ME THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES BECAUSE THE LARGER TIRES ON THE FRONT CAUSES THE RV… |
| Unknown Or Other | Too few reports for a range | 7,075 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10000077 · 7,075 miBOLTS THAT HOLD KWIKEE STEP TO CHASSIS CAME LOOSE. UPON EXITING COACH, STEP WOULD NOT SUPPORT ME AND I FELL TO THE GROUND. |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | Too few reports for a range | 1,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10047847 · 1,000 miTHE TIME DELAY ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DOES NOT PROPERLY OPERATE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE AT A FAST PACE. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY TURN THE WIPERS ON AND OFF TO INCREASE VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.*PH THIS MOTOR HOME WAS BUILT BY NATIONAL RV. IT HAS A SPARTAN CHASSIS. NEITHER ONE WILL HELP FIX THE CONSUMERS RV. THE CONSUMER NOW HAS IT AT SOUTH TERMS FREIGHT LINER. THEY SAY THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE WIRING WHEN IT WAS BUILT. THEY HAVE CALLED SPARTAN MOTORS, BUT THEY WILL NOT CALL BACK. *CB *JB |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2001: 8 complaints · 2002: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 4 | 8 | 8 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Tires | Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | Structure:Frame And Members | Suspension:Front | Tires:Sidewall | Unknown Or Other | Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Switch/Wiring | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.