NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Damon Challenger Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Damon Challenger has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Damon dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 Damon Challenger. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2003 Damon Challenger owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Damon Challenger, describing incidents dated May 29, 2003 to January 20, 2010.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 2 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10301932 · Filed January 22, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER, WORKHORSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V225000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016, COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER…
ODI #10136118 · Filed September 11, 2005
STALLING WHEN IT RAINS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AIR FILTER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT TIRE KICKS UP WATER IN THE AIR FILTER HOUSING SOAKING THE AIR FILTER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILTER IN…
ODI #10064067 · Filed March 29, 2004
SUN VISORS CAN NOT BE REACHED WHILE SITTING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ADJUST. AT TIMES THIS IS REAL DANGERIOUS SINCE MOST OF THE HIGHWAYS DO NOT HAVE PLACES WIDE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THIS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REAL BAD WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE WEST.*AK

Read all 7 complaints

OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS/BOSCH/WORKHORSE

NHTSA #09V225000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported June 16, 2009 · DAMON CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 2,415 vehicles

Owners notified May 1, 2009 · Vehicles built January 1, 2001 – May 27, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

DAMON IS RECALLING 2,415 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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

REFRIGERATOR/DOMETIC

NHTSA #07V130000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported March 20, 2007 · DAMON CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 25,128 vehicles

Owners notified June 26, 2007 · Vehicles built April 1, 1997 – April 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES 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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

DAMON 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/FMVSS 101 AND 105/WORKHORSE

NHTSA #06V132000 · Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel · NHTSA notice

Reported April 24, 2006 · DAMON CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 1,705 vehicles

Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – May 31, 2004 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.

Safety consequence

AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DAMON IS WORKING WITH WORKHORSE TO CONTACT THE OWNERS AND REMEDY THIS CAMPAIGN . WORKHORSE WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

DAMON/BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR

NHTSA #03V080000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Brake Fluid Low Warning — Lamp · NHTSA notice

Reported March 5, 2003 · DAMON CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 2,656 vehicles

Damon campaign 03-106 · Owners notified May 12, 2003 · Vehicles built May 1, 1999 – February 28, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Safety consequence

IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN MAY 12, 2003. 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 DAMON AT 1-219-272-9212.

Notes

DAMON RECALL NO. 03-106.CUSTOMERS CAN 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 2003 Damon Challenger. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Damon Challenger.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10301932

Incident: January 20, 2010 · Filed: January 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER, WORKHORSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V225000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016, COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER. BEFORE ANY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS AT NO COST; HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK-UP. THE REPAIRS COST WAS OVER $800 AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER DESPITE THE FACT THAT HER SPECIFIC RV WAS A PART OF THE RECALL. THE WORKHORSE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE INSPECTION TO THE VEHICLE NOR THE REPLACEMENT OF ANY PARTS SINCE THE PARTS ARE SUBJECT TO WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT THAT SHE NEEDED TO SPEAK WITH THE REGIONAL MANAGER SINCE HE WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO GIVE HER ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT WAS UPSET THAT SHE WAS BEING CHARGED FOR COMPONENTS AND INSPECTIONS LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL WAS NOT HONORED. REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE BRAKES, BRAKE PADS, A FLUSH WAS PERFORMED AND AN INSPECTION, ALL OF WHICH WERE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 33,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10136118

Incident: August 18, 2005 · Filed: September 11, 2005

STALLING WHEN IT RAINS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AIR FILTER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT TIRE KICKS UP WATER IN THE AIR FILTER HOUSING SOAKING THE AIR FILTER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILTER IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. CARRYING EXTRA AIR FILTERS IS STARTING TO GET EXPENSIVE. RIGHT NOW I USE DUCK TAPE TO SEAL THE FILTER BOX. *NM

Visibility

ODI #10064067

Incident: June 6, 2003 · Filed: March 29, 2004

SUN VISORS CAN NOT BE REACHED WHILE SITTING. I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO ADJUST. AT TIMES THIS IS REAL DANGERIOUS SINCE MOST OF THE HIGHWAYS DO NOT HAVE PLACES WIDE ENOUGH TO ALLOW THIS. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, REAL BAD WHEN YOU ARE TRAVELING TO THE WEST.*AK

Visibility

ODI #10057570

Filed: February 5, 2004

THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUN VISORS ON THE MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER HAD TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AND STAND UP TO REACH THE SUNVISOR. ONCE THE VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN IT WAS TOO SHORT TO BLOCK THE GLARE OF THE SUN AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE WHILE DRIVING. *NM

Structure

ODI #10024235

Incident: June 17, 2003 · Filed: June 17, 2003

INSIDE COMPARTMENT DOORS DON'T HAVE SUPPORT, THIS IS SAFETY A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT WELL DESIGNED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Unknown or Other

ODI #10024233

Incident: June 17, 2003 · Filed: June 17, 2003

DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SUNVISORS CAN BE REACHED FROM THE SEAT, ARE USELESS. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Unknown or Other

ODI #10020821

Incident: May 29, 2003 · Filed: May 31, 2003

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING SHACKEL RUBBED AGAINST THE MOTORHOMES PROPANE TANK. DEALER PAID FOR ADJUSTMENT TO PROPANE TANK HOLDING STRAP. *TT

Other Damon Challenger model years

Check your 2003 Damon Challenger VIN

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

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