2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger, most often about visibility & wipers. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
4
Recalls
6
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
22,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Visibility & Wipers is the most-reported problem area, named in 4 of 4 complaints (100%).
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 22,000 mi.
  • The 2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger has 6 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 9 Thor Motor Coach Challenger model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger problems by category

  • Visibility & Wipers
    4 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Visibility/wiper4

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k210k–30k30k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger complaints that list mileage.

2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger recalls (6)

  • Recall 17V758000Nov 22, 2017110,400 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT

    Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

    Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

  • Recall 17V555000Sep 7, 20171,105 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

    Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Ace, Challenger, Daybreak, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, Windsport, Palazzo, Tuscany, and Tuscany XTE motorhomes. The windshield wipers may fail due to the system being incorrectly installed or secured.

    Risk: If the windshield wipers cannot be used, driver visibility would be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiper system to verify it is installed correctly, repairing or replacing the system as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on September 27, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000146. Note: Although some of the vehicles included in this recall have previously been remedied under recalls 17V-096 or 17V-162, the vehicles may need additional repairs under this campaign.

  • Recall 17V162000Mar 13, 20178,617 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

    Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2014-2015 ACE, Hurricane, Challenger, Daybreak, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport motorhomes. These vehicles have windshield wiper systems that may have been improperly installed and secured, possibly causing the wipers to fail during use.

    Risk: Failure of the windshield wipers may impair the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: TMC has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the wiper arm securing nuts, free of charge. The recall began on May 5, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867.

  • Recall 15V745000Nov 10, 201512,656 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

    Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Thor Challenger, Thor Citation, Thor Hurricane, Thor Tuscany, Thor Windsport, 2011-2012 Thor Astoria, Thor Avanti, Thor Chateau, 2011-2014 Thor Daybreak, 2011-2015 Thor Outlaw, Thor Siesta, 2014-2015 Thor Miramar, 2012 Thor Four Winds, 2008-2011 Damon Astoria, Damon Daybreak, Damon Outlaw, Damon Tuscany, 2008-2012, Damon Challenger, 2008-2010 Damon Essence, 2009-2011 Damon Avanti, Four Winds Chateau, Four Winds Citation, Four Winds Four Winds, Four Winds Hurricane, Four Winds Siesta, Four Winds Windsport, 2009-2010 Four Winds Dorado, Four Winds Dutchmen, Four Winds Magellan, Four Winds Mandalay and 2009 Four Winds Fun Mover, and Four Winds Presidio motorhomes. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable.

    Risk: Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Thor will notify owners, and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism and replace all of the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began on January 6, 2016. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867. Thor's number for this recall is RC000111.

  • Recall 15V719000Oct 30, 2015209 vehicles
    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

    Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ace, Challenger, Hurricane, Miramar, Outlaw, and Windsport vehicles manufactured July 14, 2015, to October 16, 2015. Due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment, the affected vehicles can be shifted out of 'PARK' without applying the brakes.

    Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners on TMC's behalf, and Ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. The recall began on November 12, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000110.

  • Recall 15V699000Oct 23, 201517 vehicles
    PARKING BRAKE

    Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Challenger, Hurricane and Windsport motorhomes manufactured July 31, 2015, to September 9, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the parking brake actuator may be out of calibration causing the parking brake system to not properly hold the vehicle even with the parking brake pedal fully depressed. Additionally, the parking brake may not disengage completely when the parking brake pedal is released.

    Risk: If the parking brake does not fully engage, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. A parking brake that drags may result in a wheel end fire.

    Remedy: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake foot pedal assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 16, 2015. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000107.

Recent 2016 Thor Motor Coach Challenger complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 7, 2021TXVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wipers get stuck in the up position. Going highway speed in heavy rain. Lost visibility. Spoke with Larry Long with NHTSA. He advised that I make this report and that there are active recalls for this problem.
    NHTSA complaint #11431991 · source
  2. Filed May 24, 2021TXVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wipers stopped working during a rainstorm. The passenger side was stuck below the windshield and caused the driver side to also stop operating.
    NHTSA complaint #11418339 · source
  3. Filed Mar 16, 202126,000 miINVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wipers failed to work while traveling in rain conditions. The passenger wiper travels into the driver side wipers mechanism and prevents them from working. This has occurred on multiple occasions after being "fixed" by thor under a recall. Never have they replaced the system, only washers and tightened bolts. Traveling in the rain at night and then again in daylight both on the highway, at 55-70 mph. The consumer stated the vehicle was repaired at no cost.
    NHTSA complaint #11403296 · source
  4. Filed Nov 5, 202018,000 miINVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wipers stopped working during rainstorm. They were stuck, the driver side was past the front windshield on the left and the passenger side was stuck in the middle of the windshield but lower than the windshield itself. The consumer stated the windshield wiper was replaced by dealer at no cost.
    NHTSA complaint #11373203 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology