2006 Gulf Stream Independence problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file for the 2006 Gulf Stream Independence. 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
Recall 12V366000 (30/07/2012): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. (GSC) is recall certain model year 2006 through 2008 Crescendo, Sun Voyager, Independence, Bounty Hunters, and Yellowstone Class A diesel pusher motor homes built on Freightliner Custom Chassis (FCCC) from March 18, 2005, through December 2009. These motorhomes chassis are equipped with Bosch hydraulic disc brakes which, when exposed to long periods of time of non-driving, may experience diametrical brake caliper piston growth and reduced piston to bore clearance potentially leading to brake drag and overheating resulting in reduced brake performance.
Fix: FCCC will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed by DTNA on August 6, 2012. Owners may contact GSC at 1-800-289-8787 or Daimler Trucks/FCCC at 1-800-547-0712.
Recall 09V245000 (01/07/2009): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 15 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.
Fix: 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
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: 2 recalls
Recall 08V411000 (15/08/2008): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
GULF STREAM IS RECALLING 26,847 MY 2003-2006 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR 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.
Fix: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). 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 THE OWNER 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 GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.
Recall 10V584000 (22/11/2010): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
GULF STREAM IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
Fix: GULF STREAM IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.
Motorhome chassis: 1 recall
Recall 07V522000 (08/11/2007): STEERING
CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.
Fix: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL (PLEASE SEE 06V148). THEY WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773 OR GULF STREAM AT 1-574-773-7761.
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.
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 complaint
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
06/13/2006, STRUCTURE: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM THAT OPENS THE DOOR REQUIRED AN EXTEND STRETCH TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THIS EXTENSION COULD RESULT IN THE OCCUPANT POSSIBLY FALLING FROM THE MOTOR HOME. ADDITIONALLY, THE BASEMENT DOORS HAVE SHARP EDGES THAT POSE RISK TO SMALL CHILDREN OR ADULTS WHO MAY NOT NOTICE THEM. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO SOLUTION
Looking at a 2006 Gulf Stream Independence?
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.