NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Airstream XC Recalls & Complaints

The 1997 Airstream XC has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Airstream dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Airstream XC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1997 Airstream XC owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 Airstream XC, describing incidents dated March 21, 2005.

Most-cited components

Trailer Hitches 1 complaint

The complaint on file reports a crash and a fire, with 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10146880 · Filed January 4, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN AFTER MARKET TRAILER HITCH WAS PURCHASED. THE HITCH WAS INSTALLED ON A 2003 FORD EXTENDED VAN AND WAS ATTACHED TO A 1997 AIRSTREAM TRAVEL TRAILER THAT WAS 34 FEET LONG AND EIGHT AND HALF FEET WIDE. THE HITCH WAS SUPPOSE TO ALLOW THE TOW VEHICLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF…

Read the full complaint

AIRSTREAM/FLOOR SUPPORT LEG ATTACHMENTS

NHTSA #01V088000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2001 · AIRSTREAM, INC.

Potentially affected: 334 vehicles

Owners notified March 19, 2001 · Vehicles built February 1, 1997 – June 30, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE REAR FLOOR SUPPORT LEG ATTACHMENTS COULD FAIL, CAUSING FORCE TO THE LPG LINE FITTINGS AND COULD RESULT IN LEAKAGE.

Safety consequence

DAMAGED STEEL LPG LINES COULD RESULT IN A LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RE-ENFORCE THE REAR FLOOR SUPPORT WITH A SUPPORT LEG WELDED TO A STEEL TUBE. THE OLD LEGS WILL BE LEFT IN PLACE AND THE NEW SUPPORT LEG FITTED OVER THE FLOOR SUPPORT TUBE, AND THE SUPPORT WELDED IN PLACE AT THE FLOOR SUPPORT TUBE AND THE CHASSIS RAIL. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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 AIRSTREAM AT 1-877-596-6505.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

AIRSTREAM/LPG LINE DAMAGE

NHTSA #01V087000 · Fuel System, Other — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2001 · AIRSTREAM, INC.

Potentially affected: 159 vehicles

Owners notified March 19, 2001 · Vehicles built June 1, 1997 – June 30, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE LIQUID PROPANE GAS (LPG) LINES CAN BE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FRESH WATER TANK SAGGING DOWN, RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.

Safety consequence

DAMAGED STEEL LPG LINES COULD RESULT IN A LEAK THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A STEEL SUPPORT BRACKET THAT RUNS FORE AND AFT UNDER THE FRESH WATER TANK BETWEEN TWO CHASSIS CROSS MEMBERS BELOW THE TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 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 AIRSTREAM AT 1-877-596-6505.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

AIRSTREAM/ABS DAMAGE

NHTSA #01V086000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported March 14, 2001 · AIRSTREAM, INC.

Potentially affected: 298 vehicles

Owners notified March 19, 2001 · Vehicles built February 1, 1997 – June 30, 2000 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) REAR BRAKE VALVES CAN BE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FRESH WATER TANK SAGGING DOWNWARD.

Safety consequence

THIS WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC APPLICATION OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAUSING A RAPID DECELERATION AND STOPPING OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1997 Airstream XC. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Airstream XC.

Trailer Hitches

ODI #10146880

Crash Fire 2 injuries

Incident: March 21, 2005 · Filed: January 4, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN AFTER MARKET TRAILER HITCH WAS PURCHASED. THE HITCH WAS INSTALLED ON A 2003 FORD EXTENDED VAN AND WAS ATTACHED TO A 1997 AIRSTREAM TRAVEL TRAILER THAT WAS 34 FEET LONG AND EIGHT AND HALF FEET WIDE. THE HITCH WAS SUPPOSE TO ALLOW THE TOW VEHICLE TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF THE TRAILER. HOWEVER, AN INNER PIECE OF THE HITCH FAILED. THE HITCH HAS A SPRING BAR ACCOMPANIED BY A GREASE ZERK. THE GREASE ZERK IS A HOLLOW BAR-LIKE HOUSING ABOUT THE LENGTH OF THE HUMAN FINGER THAT HAS A KNOB ON TOP. THE GREASE ZERK'S KNOB BROKE OFF AND ALLOWED THE TRAILER TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE HITCH CAME APART , AND DUE TO THE UNCONTROLLABLE SWAYING, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH. AFTER COLLIDING WITH A GUARD RAIL THE LOCK PIN PULLED LOOSE FROM THE HITCH AND THE TRAILER SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TRAILER STOPPED BY ITSELF WITH AN EMERGENCY BRAKING DEVICE. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND CAME TO A STOP UPSIDE DOWN ALONG THE ROAD SIDE. ONCE THE VEHICLE STOPPED A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT AREA WHILE THE PASSENGERS WERE STILL INSIDE. THE PASSENGERS ESCAPED WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. BOTH THE VEHICLE AND TRAILER WERE DETERMINED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. *AK

Other Airstream XC model years

Check your 1997 Airstream XC VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Airstream XC at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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