1978 National Rv DOLPHIN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
0 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1978 model year. Data updated: . 0 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
No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 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.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Pattern summary
There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
91V060000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly
Reported: 1991-04-12 (April 12, 1991)
REAR AXLE BEARINGS MAY FAIL DUE TO A BENDING MOMENT CREATED BY THE AFTERMARKET DUAL REAR WHEELS FROM A VARIETY OF FACTORS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN OVERLOADED. FAILURE OF THE BEARINGS CREATE STRESSES ON THE REAR AXLE, RESULTING IN THE BREAKAGE OF THE AXLE.
Consequence: A BROKEN AXLE WILL CAUSE SEPARATION OF THE DUAL REARWHEEL ASSEMBLY FROM THE MOTORHOME, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT INAN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WITH FULL-FLOATING REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
0 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 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 133.3%ODI 10361733 · 53,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. HE BRAKES BEGAN WORKING AT MINIMUM CAPACITY AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. HE REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2%ODI 10249044 · 23,640 miMILEAGE: 23640 BRAKES ON MY RV (WORKHORSE W22 2003 CHASIS) LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND DASH ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED LEFT FRONT AND REAR WHEEL SENSORS. MILEAGE: 23765 DATE:11-7-07 - BRAKES AGAIN LOCKED UP, OVERHEATED, AND ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACED ABS CONTROL MODULE, WHEEL SENSORS, FRONT HUB SEALS, FRONT BRAKE PADS, FLUSH BRAKE SYSTEM, ADD NEW FLUID, & BLEED SYSTEM. MILEAGE:31990 DATE:10-15-08 - FRONT BRAKES DRAGGING, OVERHEATED, ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. REPLACE FRONT ROTORS, CALIPERS, HUB SEALS, PADS, WHEEL SENSORS, F… | 240.0%ODI 10258733 · 7,698 mi2005 DOLPHIN ON A CHEVY W 22 WORKHORSE CHASSIS..FRONT BRAKES FAILED AFTER 7500 MILES..FRONT ROTORS WERE HEAT CRACKED I WAS TOLD FROM THE DEALER..CALLED WH AND TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED...NEVER HEARD OF ROTORS GOING BAD AT 7500 MILES..HAVE HAD OTHER MOTOR HOMES, AND HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY BRAKES WITH GOING DOWN HILLS, ETC..FEEL THERE IS DEFINITELY A FLAW IN THE BREAKING SYSTEM ON THESE VEHICLES..VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING LIKE THE FRONT END WAS FALLING APART COMING BACK FROM A TRIP..LIMPED IT BACK TO SHOP FOR EVALUATION..OVER $1000… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Exterior Lighting | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 3100.0%ODI 10212713 · 15,324 miI RECEIVED A RECALL,NHTSA # 07V-456, RELATED TO MY 2006 NATIONAL RV ON 11-9-07. I CONTACTED THE SELLING DEALER & WAS INFORMED THE COMPANY WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS, AND THAT PARTS TO REPAIR THE RECALL WERE UN-AVAILABLE. THIS RECALL HAS TO DO WITH THE LIGHTING ON THE VEHICLE, AND WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT OPERATING IT. WE HAVE AN AWFUL LARGE INVESTMENT IN THIS UNIT THAT HAS NOW BECAME A VERY EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT. PLEASE "HELP". THANK YOU. *TR | 133.3%ODI 10224438TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NATIONAL DOLPHIN RV. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 07V456 FOR THE EXTERIOR LIGHTING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS GONE BANKRUPT AND THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO HAVE HIS VEHICLE SERVICED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10513219 · 34,000 miI HAVE AN ELECTRIC ENTRY STEP ON MY RV. FOR THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS THE LINKAGE THAT OPENS AND CLOSES THE STEP HAS BROKEN WHEN I STEPPED OUT OF MY RV. ON MOTHERS DAY I FELL OUT OF THE COACH AND INJURED MY BACK. THE STEP CAME FROM CAMPING WORLD, THE "RETAILER". IT IS DISTRIBUTED BY STROMBERG CARLSON AT 2323 TRAVERSEFIELD DR, PO BOX 266, TRAVERSE CITY, MI. 49685. PHONE [phone removed]. THE STEP IS MANUFACTURED BY LIPPERT COMPONENTS. CONTACT LIPPERT COMPONENTS LIPPERT COMPONENTS/KINRO CORPORATE OFFICES [phone removed] [CALL: [… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 11124698 · 68,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NATIONAL DOLPHIN RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND SHE BECAME LOCKED INSIDE THE RV FOR OVER FIVE HOURS. A LOCKSMITH HAD TO DRILL OUT THE ENTIRE LOCKING MECHANISM TO FREE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NATIONAL MANUFACTURER HAS GONE OUT OF BUSINESS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE LOCK SYSTEM (TRIMARK) REFUSED TO TAKE A COMPLAINT FROM THE CONTACT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. *TT *BF *TR *AS *TT*JB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 10177786 · 45,000 miTL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHEVROLET DOLPHIN MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE, AND WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO RESISTANCE, THE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LIMP TO THE NEXT TOWN USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPROACHED THE REPAIR SHOP THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES PER THE MECHANIC. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE 120 MILES HOME WITH NOT PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKE TO A CHEVY DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE OF THE VEHICLE'S PROBLE… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 10053377WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10103327REC"D RECALL FR WORKHORSE FOR BRAKES, DEALER HAS NO PARTS TO REPAIR. WORKHORSE BLAMES BOSCH FOR PARTS. *BF | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10183293 · 13,200 miFAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND SUBSEQUENT CRACKING OF BRAKE ROTORS. CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR AND DECREASED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. PARTS REPLACED AT OWNERS' EXPENSE. PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 10053377WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*AK | 120.0%ODI 10183293 · 13,200 miFAILURE OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS AND SUBSEQUENT CRACKING OF BRAKE ROTORS. CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE PAD WEAR AND DECREASED BRAKE PERFORMANCE. PARTS REPLACED AT OWNERS' EXPENSE. PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Tires:Sidewall | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10146627INCIDENT 1: MARCH 2005 TRAVELING ON I95 IN MY 2001 NATIONAL TRADEWINDS RV, I EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT OF THE INSIDE RIGHT LEFT TIRE THAT BLEW OUT THE SIDE PANEL OF THE MOTOR COACH. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. WE CONTINUED HOME. INCIDENT 2: MAY 2005 PURCHASED A NEW SPARE. I NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE INSIDE LEFT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL. WHILE TRAVELING ON I95 TO THE TIRE SHOP THIS TIRE BLEW OUT. REPLACED TIRE. INCIDENT 3: DECEMBER 2005 WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH DELAWARE, RIGHT REAR INNER TIRE BLEW OUT THE SIDEWALL. ALL THESE TIRES WERE MICHELIN XRV 225/22.5 WIT… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10171399 · 9,542 mi2005 RV WITH LESS THAN 10K MILES. WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY UNDER NO STRESS, THE OUTSIDE PASSENGER REAR TIRE BEGAN BALLOONING ON THE SIDEWAY FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THEN BLEW OUT A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 1.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER. THE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE IN THE SEAM OF THE SIDEWALL. THE LAST TIME THE RV WAS DRIVEN WAS ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2006 (5 DAYS PREVIOUS). THIS INCIDENT WAS WITNESSED BY TIM ANDERSON WHO HAD BEEN WORKING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT THE TIME AND HEARD THE HISSING SOUND PRIOR TO THE BLOWOUT. HE WAS ALMOST INJURED IN THE INCIDENT AND … | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 133.3%ODI 10212203TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NATIONAL RV DOLPHIN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE SWITCH AND IMMEDIATELY SCHEDULED A REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. SHE CALLED FORD IN NOVEMBER AND THEY STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL OF 2008. SHE HAS NOT HAD THE SWITCH DEACTIVATED. THE CONTACT FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 10053377WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED BRAKES OVERHEATED, AND IT TOOK LONGER TO STOP. DEALER REPLACED BRAKE PADS/SPEEDOMETER, AND WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
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.
2007: 1 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 2008 | 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 |
|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. |
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.