2000 Beaver CONTESSA: complaints, problems and recalls

UPON RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REACH ANY ONE TO PERFORM THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURING COMPANY NAME WAS BEAVER. SPECTRAC, SUSPENSION CENTER INCORPORATED. 405 EAST BASELINE ROAD, GILBERT AZ 85233, [phone removed]. CONSUMER HAS TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SEVERAL TIMES. HIS CALLS GO UNANSWERED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION. RECALL NUMBER 02V278000. MONTICO FILE NUMBER RO2175. CONSUMER HAS RECEIVED TOW LETTERS AND NEITHER HAS BEEN ANSWERED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10097175 at NHTSA ↗

2000 BEAVER CONTESSA EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE EQUIPMENT. *MR THE BRAKE PROBLEM EXISTED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FIRST TRIP THAT THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. RECALL CAMPAIGN# 02V278000. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 15,170 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121551 at NHTSA ↗

DT: TOOK RV MOTORHOME TO DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALERSHIP REFERRED CONSUMER TO ANOTHER SHOP BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO BRAKES, HOWEVER THE SHOP THEY REFERRED HIM CHARGED HIM FOR RECALL REPAIRS. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER FOR REIMBURSEMENT, THEY REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 37,906 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126708 at NHTSA ↗

EW ONES SEND FRON BEAVER IN BEND OR. ON 1/09/02 ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTERWARDS CHECKED TO SEE IF ABS WERE WORKS AND FOUND THEM NOT TO BE, HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE FACTORY ON THIS INCIDENT. BUT HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY MOTORCOACH WITH INTERNATIONAL TRUCK DISK BRAKES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 756786 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2000-06-27 (June 27, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1999 AND 2000 MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN APRIL 2 AND NOVEMBER 20, 1999, AND EQUIPPED WITH ABS SYSTEMS WITH BRAKE WIRING HARNESS PART #2505168. THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WHICH CONNECTS TO THE MODULATOR WAS MIS-WIRED CAUSING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE MODULATOR TO REACT IMPROPERLY WHILE REGULATING HYDRAULIC PRESSURE TO THE APPROPRIATE WHEEL.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IN CERTAIN BRAKING SITUATIONS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A WIRING HARNESS UPDATE, WHICH PROPERLY ROUTES THE ELECTRICAL SIGNAL FROM THE ECU TO THE MODULATOR. 7OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JULY 13, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAFARI/BEAVER/HARNEY AT 1-800-344-6332.

Reported: 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES MANUFACTURED BY TRW. THE SUSPECT TIE RODS CONTAIN 24-DL MODEL BALL SOCKETS. CERTAIN OF THE TIE ROD BALL-SOCKET BEARINGS HAVE A BELOW-SPECIFICATION CASE DEPTH AND/OR HARDNESS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO PREMATURE WEAR OF THE SOCKET.

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE DRIVER CAN LOSE PARTIAL CONTROL OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BALL SOCKETS AND/OR DRAG LINKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 16, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SMC AT 1-800-344-6332 OR TRW CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-280-3287.

Reported: 2001-04-17 (April 17, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON DODGE VAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY AM-SAFE BETWEEN JANUARY 28 AND AUGUST 15, 2000. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 31, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AM-SAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AT 219-266-8330 OR SMC AT 1-800-344-6332.

Reported: 2001-03-30 (March 30, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE SEAT BELTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 18, 20000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SMC CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-344-6332 OR AM-SAFE AT 1-219-266-8330.

Reported: 2001-04-17 (April 17, 2001)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH MERITOR WABCO PHASE 1, D-VERSION ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS), FAIL TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." AN INTERNAL DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM IN THE ABS MAY NOT DETECT AN EXTREME WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AIR GAP. SUCH A CONDITION COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR DURING (1) ORIGINAL ASSEMBLY OR (2) SUBSEQUENT WHEEL END SERVICE.

Consequence: THIS COULD DISABLE THE ANTI-LOCK FUNCTION ON THE AFFECTED WHEEL WITHOUT PROVIDING THE REQUIRED OPERATOR WARNING THAT THE ABS FUNCTION REQUIRES SERVICING.

Remedy: THE ABS ECU WILL BE REMOVED AND REPLACED ON THESE MOTOR HOMES. MERITOR IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY SCHEDULING FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL/MAY 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MERITOR WABCO AT 1-800-535-5560.

Reported: 2002-10-22 (October 22, 2002)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BEARINGS, RACES, SPINDLES, KNUCKLES, SEALS, HUBS, ROTORS, PATCH BOLTS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FOR CORROSION AND REPLACE OR REBUILD THE CALIPERS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.