NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Thor California Wanderer Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Thor California Wanderer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Thor California dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Thor California Wanderer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2005 Thor California Wanderer owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Thor California Wanderer, describing incidents dated September 23, 2006 to September 28, 2006.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 1 complaint
Trailer Hitches 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10169522 · Filed September 28, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A SAFETY BREAKAWAY SAFETY SWITCH LOCATED ON THE FORWARD HITCH OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS BEING COMPROMISED BECAUSE THE CHAIN TO THE STABILIZER UNIT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WIRE THAT CONNECTED TO THE SAFETY BREAKAWAY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE 2005 TRAVEL TRAILER WAS THOR…
ODI #10169514 · Filed September 28, 2006
IN CHECKING THE TRAILER CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE, I NOTED BARE WIRE IN THE BREAK-AWAY BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS WAS CAUSED BY PINCHING BETWEEN THE ANTI-SWAY BAR ASSEMBLY AND THE FRAME. THE WIRING WAS ROUTED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. HAD I NOT NOTICED THIS, AND FURTHER FRAYING OF WIRES…

Read all 2 complaints

REAR CARGO AREA

NHTSA #06V468000 · Structure · NHTSA notice

Reported December 4, 2006 · THOR CALIFORNIA INC.

Potentially affected: 117 vehicles

Owners notified November 15, 2006 · Vehicles built April 1, 2003 – March 31, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN CARGO/TRAVEL TRAILERS, OVERLOADING AND INCORRECTLY POSITIONING CARGO IN THE REAR CARGO AREA CAN RESULT IN ALIGHT HITCH WEIGHT AND AFFECT STABILITY.

Safety consequence

DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFIC TOW VEHICLE AND ITS HITCH EQUIPMENT, A SUFFICIENTLY LIGHT HITCH WEIGHT CAN RESULT IN SWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TOO MUCH WEIGHT INCORRECTLY POSITIONED CAN ALSO RESULT IN SEVERE BENDING OF THE A-FRAME ASSEMBLY, FAILURE OF THE COUPLER ASSEMBLY, AND/OR FAILURE OF THE SAFETY CHAINS. THIS CAN CAUSE A CRASH INVOLVING THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER, TOW VEHICLE AND HITCH EQUIPMENT; INSTALL NEW CARGO LOAD LIMIT LABELS AND PLACARDS IN THE CARGO AREA; FURNISH LOADING LIMIT INFORMATION; REPLACE THE COUPLER AND SAFETY CHAINS; AND REINFORCE THE A-FRAME. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR AT 1-888-697-8467. NOTE: THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERSEDES A PREVIOUS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 04V243).

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN 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.

FURNACE EXHAUST VENT

NHTSA #06V208000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer — LPG Systems — Furnace · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · THOR CALIFORNIA INC.

Potentially affected: 64,000 vehicles

Thor California campaign 615001 · Owners notified June 15, 2006 · Vehicles built February 1, 1996 – February 10, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN TRAVEL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SUBURBAN AND ATWOOD FURNACES, THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT WILL ALLOW LEAKAGE OF FUMES WHICH CONTAIN COMBUSTION PRODUCTS, INCLUDING A HIGH CONCENTRATION OF POTENTIALLY LETHAL CARBON MONOXIDE GAS.

Safety consequence

FUMES COULD ENTER INTO THE TRAILER AND COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS ON INSPECTING THE FURNACE VENT. IF AN OWNER BELIEVES THE VENT IS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, IS NOT SURE HOW TO INSPECT THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT, OR NEEDS ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THE FURNACE EXHAUST VENT INSTALLATION INSPECTED AND CORRECTED, OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT THOR IMMEDIATELY AT 1-877-870-2638 OR VIA THE INTERNET AT HTTP://WWW.THORCA.COM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 15, 2006.

Notes

THOR CALIFORNIA RECALL NO. 615001.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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Thor California Wanderer. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Thor California Wanderer.

Trailer Hitches

ODI #10169522

Incident: September 28, 2006 · Filed: September 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A SAFETY BREAKAWAY SAFETY SWITCH LOCATED ON THE FORWARD HITCH OF THE TRAVEL TRAILER WAS BEING COMPROMISED BECAUSE THE CHAIN TO THE STABILIZER UNIT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WIRE THAT CONNECTED TO THE SAFETY BREAKAWAY SWITCH. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE 2005 TRAVEL TRAILER WAS THOR; MODE: WANDERER. THE MODEL NUMBER WAS: 217.*AK

Electrical System

ODI #10169514

Incident: September 23, 2006 · Filed: September 28, 2006

IN CHECKING THE TRAILER CONNECTION TO THE VEHICLE, I NOTED BARE WIRE IN THE BREAK-AWAY BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS WAS CAUSED BY PINCHING BETWEEN THE ANTI-SWAY BAR ASSEMBLY AND THE FRAME. THE WIRING WAS ROUTED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM. HAD I NOT NOTICED THIS, AND FURTHER FRAYING OF WIRES OCCURRED, THE SAFETY BREAK-AWAY BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD FAIL. THERE HAS THANKFULLY BEEN NO ACCIDENT, BUT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, DEALER AND FACTORY ASSUME NO LIABILITY, THOUGH THE WIRING WAS PLACED IN THIS POSITION BEFORE I PURCHASED THE NEW TRAILER. THE WIRING WAS ALSO PAINTED TO MATCH THE FRAMEWORK, THUS WAS LESS NOTICEABLE. *NM

Other Thor California Wanderer model years

Check your 2005 Thor California Wanderer VIN

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

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