2002 Gulf Stream FRIENDSHIP: complaints, problems and recalls

WHEN IT RAINED THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE ALLOWED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND FLOOD THE CABIN. THIS RESULTED IN MILDEW, MOLD STAINS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. THE LOCATION OF THE LEAK WAS UNDETERMINED ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE (GULF STREAM FRIENDSHIP 2002). *NLM THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR VIBRATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THERE WAS A SQUEAK IN THE KITCHEN COMPARTMENT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE DOOR VIBRATED, THE TAIL PIPE WAS LOOSE, THE MOLDING ON THE FOOT OF THE BED, THE SEAL ON THE COUC…

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042273 at NHTSA ↗

DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDSHIELDS SEPARATING FROM FRAME. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10146114 at NHTSA ↗

EXHAUST FUMES AND SOOT ENTERING REAR OF MOTOR COACH. FUMES ARE DETECTED WHILE RIDING DOWN HIGHWAY. SOOT IS IN CLOSET WHEN VEHICLE STOPS AFTER LONG TRIP. SEVERAL PEOPLE STATED THAT THEY SMELLED DIESEL FUMES FROM DECEMBER 2005 WHEN I PURCHASED COACH. I FINALLY LET SOMEONE ELSE DRIVE AND I WENT IN BACK AND COULD SMELL THE DIESEL FUMES. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE CLOSET WAS LEAKING DIESEL SOOT INTO THE CLOSET, IT IS BLACK ALL OVER INSIDE OF CLOSET. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 24,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161402 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-03-20 (March 20, 2007)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, 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.

Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: GULF STREAM 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 YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.

Reported: 2008-08-05 (August 5, 2008)

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 413 MY 1999-2002 SUN VOYAGER, SCENIC CRUISE, FRIENDSHIP, AND TOUR MASTER MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

Consequence: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E030). NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767- 9101 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.

Reported: 2009-10-01 (October 1, 2009)

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS 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.

Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE ALSO SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT NOTICE 09E-027. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STREAM AT 1-800-289-8787 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

Reported: 2010-11-22 (November 22, 2010)

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS 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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: GULF STREAM 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 MARCH 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.