2018 Grand Design Momentum problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Grand Design Momentum. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Structure, roof and leaks: 6 complaints
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
Refrigerators: 1 recall
Recall 22V038000 (28/01/2022): EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:REFRIGERATOR
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2013-2021 Momentum, Solitude, and Reflection recreational vehicles. A 110-volt wire in the refrigerator cabinet may be improperly secured, which could result in the wire contacting the refrigerator cooling unit, causing an electrical arc.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace any damaged wiring, and properly secure the wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 21, 2022. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910026.
What a tech checks: On absorption fridges the big failure is the cooling unit leaking ammonia (yellow residue, a sharp smell) and boards or igniters on the gas side. Compressor fridges fail on the 12 V supply more than the compressor. Before you buy: Look at the back through the outside vent for yellow powder; run it on both power sources.
Refrigerator lessons · Refrigerator 3D lab
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 21V393000 (26/05/2021): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2016-2021 Imagine, Transcend, and Momentum travel trailers. The LP regulator that controls the LP gas pressure may fail, allowing excessive gas pressure that causes the appliance flame to increase.
Fix: Dealers will replace the LP regulator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 24, 2021. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910023.
What a tech checks: Regulator, lines and fittings, then the appliances: furnace, water heater, range. A proper pressure-drop leak test is the first thing a tech does on an LP complaint. Before you buy: Smell for gas with the tank open; have a shop do the leak test.
LP and furnace lessons · Furnace guide · Furnace 3D lab · Water heater 3D lab
Other: 4 complaints
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 3 complaints
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 2 complaints
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/27/2024, SUSPENSION: Driver side rear leaf spring hanger broke while under tow.
05/27/2025, STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: I am writing to formally report a series of serious structural concerns we are experiencing with our Grand Design Momentum 349M fifth wheel/toy hauler, which appear to be related to excessive frame flex/failure or upper deck instability. These issues began toward the end of last year and have progressively worsened, raising significant safety concerns for our family. The following symptoms have been observed: * B
05/14/2026, SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE: On the driver side of the 2018 Momentum Toy Hauler cracked in two locations above the center leaf spring holder. This issue occurred on May 1, 2025. While pulling out of a shop after having the leaf spring holders replaced the axle traveled through a small depression on the ground causing the frame to flex and make a loud enough sound to be heard in the truck pulling the camper. While investigating the situation i
04/16/2025, STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: I started noticing rub marks on the interior walls next to the night stands after the last few uses, and they appear to be getting worse after each use. I was made aware of the deck/frame flex issues the some GD fifth wheels are having and was referred to TSB 24-001. My RV is experiencing the exact concern described in the TSB. I opened a case number with GD, and took the RV to an authorized repair center. The repa
03/18/2024, SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE: Fifth wheel pin box busted loose weld failed trailer about came off the truck this trailer weighs 16,000 plus pounds it was very unsafe the manufacturer knows of this issue The RV started to rip itself apart leave spring shackles busted
02/24/2024, UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE: Structural Frame Failure. We found frame damage at a rest stop while traveling down the interstate. We observed side wall separations and multiple cracks in the welds around the pin box. The 5th wheel trailer was taken to a commercial truck frame repair shop in Florida and after opening up the panel underneath the pin box we discovered multiple breaks/cracks in the structural frame. We filed and insurance claim
Looking at a 2018 Grand Design Momentum?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.