2006 Gulf Stream INDEPENDENCE: complaints, problems and recalls

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THAT OPENS THE DOOR REQUIRED AN EXTEND STRETCH TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THIS EXTENSION COULD RESULT IN THE OCCUPANT POSSIBLY FALLING FROM THE MOTOR HOME. ADDITIONALLY, THE BASEMENT DOORS HAVE SHARP EDGES THAT POSE RISK TO SMALL CHILDREN OR ADULTS WHO MAY NOT NOTICE THEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SOLUTION OFFERED TO EITHER PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS A 2006 GULF STREAM, MODEL INDEPENDENCE LS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159729 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-11-08 (November 8, 2007)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.

Consequence: THIS STEERING CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06V148). THEY WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.

Reported: 2008-08-15 (August 15, 2008)

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 26,847 MY 2003-2006 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR 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: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). 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 GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.

Reported: 2009-07-01 (July 1, 2009)

GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 15 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731

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.

Reported: 2012-07-30 (July 30, 2012)

Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. (GSC) is recall certain model year 2006 through 2008 Crescendo, Sun Voyager, Independence, Bounty Hunters, and Yellowstone Class A diesel pusher motor homes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) from March 18, 2005, through December 2009. These motorhomes chassis are equipped with Bosch hydraulic disc brakes which, when exposed to long periods of time of non-driving, may experience diametrical brake caliper piston growth and reduced piston to bore clearance potentially leading to brake drag and overheating resulting in reduced brake performance.

Consequence: Reduced brake performance increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: FCCC will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed by DTNA on August 6, 2012. Owners may contact GSC at 1-800-289-8787 or Daimler Trucks/FCCC at 1-800-547-0712.