2016 Grand Design Reflection problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 6 recalls and 19 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Grand Design Reflection, including 2 fires. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 recalls, 20 complaints
Recall 15V518000 (14/08/2015): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Reflection fifth-wheel trailers manufactured September 5, 2013, to June 30, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with axles rated to 5200 lbs. instead of 6000 lbs. as designed and as listed on the Certification Label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the trailers and will replace any axle that is only rated to 5200 lbs. with an axle rated to 6000 lbs., free of charge. The recall began on September 10, 2015. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-8000 ext. 2015. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910004.
Recall 15V212000 (10/04/2015): SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Reflection 303RLS, 308BHTS and 313RLTS, model 2016 Solitude 375RE trailers manufactured March 12, 2015, to April 6, 2015. In the affected trailers, the studs that are used to attach the wheels to the axle hubs may break.
Fix: Grand Design has notified owners, and dealers will replace any affected wheel hub, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2015. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910003.
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
Other: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 16V717000 (07/10/2016): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Reflection recreational trailers, model 357BHS and 367BHS, manufactured November 12, 2014, to September 22, 2016. The affected vehicles have an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the Federal Certification Label, stating a GAWR of 7,000 lbs when the actual GAWR is 6,400 lbs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Fix: Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will install a corrected Federal Certification Label, free of charge. Owners will also have the option to replace the Certification Label themselves, free of charge. The recall began on October 28, 2016. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910007.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall, 2 complaints
Recall 20V362000 (19/06/2020): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Reflection trailers. A wiring connector in the vehicle underbody may not be properly secured, allowing water intrusion into the wiring connector, possibly resulting in an electrical short circuit.
Fix: Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the wiring connectors up to prevent water intrusion, free of charge. This recall began June 29, 2020. Owners may contact Grand Design's customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910020.
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
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 16V355000 (25/05/2016): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Imagine and Reflection recreational trailers manufactured January 15, 2016 to May 4, 2016. The MB Sturgis LP regulator on these vehicles may allow propane gas to leak into the regulator sight glass causing it to degrade and potentially crack.
Fix: Grand Design will notify owners, and dealers will replace the LP regulator kit, free of charge. The recall began on June 6, 2016. Owners may contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design's number for this recall is 910006.
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
Motorhome chassis: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: The chassis (Ford, Freightliner, Mercedes, Ram) is serviced by the chassis maker's dealer, not the RV shop. RV techs handle the house, not the drivetrain. Before you buy: Chassis recalls are fixed free at the chassis maker's dealer.
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/23/2018, SERVICE BRAKES: SUSPECTED DIMINISHED BRAKING ACTION WHILE TOWING MY 2016 GRAND DESIGN 313 RLTS 37 FOOT RV. WE TOWED FROM THE NORTHEAST TO THE SOUTHWEST THIS LAST SEPTEMBER. ONCE ARRIVING AT OUR DESTINATION AND PLACING THE RV IN STORAGE I BEGAN RESEARCHING THE BRAKE SET UP. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AXLES LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC HAD PUT OUT A NOTICE THAT AFFECTED MY RV. THE NOTICE DESCRIBED AN ANOMALY DURING THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS WHERE
11/18/2016, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: MY RV IS ONLY 9 MONTHS OLD AND IT IS ON CITY POWER. LIGHTS WITH MOTION SENSING- THE LIGHT IN THE MOTION SENSING POSITION, STARTED TO SMOKE AND INDICATE FIRE WITHIN THE LIGHT ITSELF. MODEL #SD1510-PIR 12V DC, 4W SMD LED. ON GRAND DESIGNS WEB SITE IT INDICATES NOT TO USE THE LIGHT PICTURED AND TO USE A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER. THEY ARE NO LONGER WANTING TO INSTALL THE ORIGINAL PART FOR SOME REASON. THE POTENTIAL F
11/02/2016, SUSPENSION,WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES: ALL FOUR AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING ON THE TRAILER. THE LEAKING GREASE WAS SPRAYED ON THE WHEELS AND ALSO TWO HAD COATED THE BRAKES. THIS APPEARED AFTER I HAD TOWED THE TRAILER FOR 200 MILES AFTER TAKING IT NEW OFF OF THE DEALER LOT.
11/01/2016, SERVICE BRAKES: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY WHILE TRAVELING, WHEN INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM FOUND GREASE ON ALL FOUR BRAKE SETS. AXLE AND BRAKES ARE LIPPERT BRAND
09/19/2016, WHEELS: MY 2016 357BHS HAS A STATED 7K GAWR. THE LCI AXLE IS 7K AND THE WESTLAKE TIRES ARE LISTED AT 3520 WHILE THE 6 LUG WHEELS ARE STAMPED WITH ONLY 3200 LBS WHICH GIVES ME 6400 GAWR AND NOT MEETING THE STATED 7K GAWR.
09/17/2016, SERVICE BRAKES: ONLY 1700 MILES ON UNIT. FOUND AXLE GREASE SEALS BLOWN WITH GREASE ON BRAKES.
Looking at a 2016 Grand Design Reflection?
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.