NHTSA vehicle safety data

2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 4 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger.

2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger, describing incidents dated May 27, 2021 to November 28, 2023.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints
Power Train 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 4 complaints on file, 2 report a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11588885 · Filed May 15, 2024
on 11/28/2023 My family and I were driving on the freeway I heard what sounded like a soda can explode under my feet in the engine compartment. I immediately lost power brakes and power steering. There was a large amount of smoke instantly. Within about 3 to 5 seconds the cab started to fill with…
ODI #11534171 · Filed July 24, 2023
Unloading the storage compartments and discovered that the compartment wall was melted. It is directly next to, about 6 inches away from, the exhaust pipe.
ODI #11486963 · Filed September 28, 2022
Exhaust has blown (melted) a hole in the storage bin no heat shield was placed. The bin next to it has a heat shield.

Read all 4 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE24-023: Trailer Hitch Receiver Structure May Crack and Separate
Closed January 16, 2026

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

4 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger.

Steering; Power Train; Service Brakes

ODI #11588885

Fire

Incident: November 28, 2023 · Filed: May 15, 2024

on 11/28/2023 My family and I were driving on the freeway I heard what sounded like a soda can explode under my feet in the engine compartment. I immediately lost power brakes and power steering. There was a large amount of smoke instantly. Within about 3 to 5 seconds the cab started to fill with smoke and fire was coming out of the driver's front wheel well. My insurance has had the vehicle in a lot for the past 4.5 months. they would have to permit inspection of the vehicle. My wife, 2 daughters, and dog were in the vehicle with me. the smoke and fire spread so quickly that they had to exit the side door of the RV while it was still moving down the freeway. They jumped out of the door and ran to the side of the freeway to escape the danger. I stayed in the vehicle until I could get it stopped breathing the smoke from the burning plastic. i then exited the vehicle and attempted to put out the fire with the fire extinguisher from inside the motorhome. that did not work as the fire was fueled by oil and plastic. I ran to the back of the motorhome to remove the jeep that we were towing so it would not burn. I found a trail of power steering fluid on the ground following the motorhome to where it stopped. Within just a few minutes of stopping the front of motorhome was fully engulfed in flames. The problem has not been reproduced vehicle was a total loss. Rimkus has completed a 3rd party fire investigation on behalf of my insurance company. There were no warnings prior to the event. I contacted Thor and Ford Mo Co. Thor stopped responding after one email, Ford's general counsel called me and stated that they would not be assisting me in any way and to have my insurance company sue them. (Seek Subrogation)

Structure; Unknown or Other; Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11534171

Incident: July 24, 2023 · Filed: July 24, 2023

Unloading the storage compartments and discovered that the compartment wall was melted. It is directly next to, about 6 inches away from, the exhaust pipe.

Unknown or Other; Engine and Engine Cooling; Structure

ODI #11486963

Fire

Incident: September 5, 2022 · Filed: September 28, 2022

Exhaust has blown (melted) a hole in the storage bin no heat shield was placed. The bin next to it has a heat shield.

Service Brakes

ODI #11419557

Incident: May 27, 2021 · Filed: June 3, 2021

brand new vehicle, first trip, what appears to be a break pads lock up, smell rubber first, got signal from another driver to pull over. When we got home got recall notice 21S17 with specific instructions to get back to dealer for service, but dealer does not have parts and told me not to come for the interim service until parts arrived, not sure if it is related, but recording the event here. Spent all day on the computer with live chat and a couple of phone calls, but not really any help from Ford.

Other Thor Motor Coach Challenger model years

Check your 2021 Thor Motor Coach Challenger VIN

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

Check a Thor Motor Coach VIN