2017 Jayco Precept problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 4 recalls and 7 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Jayco Precept, including 1 fire. 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, 2 complaints
Recall 19V705000 (03/10/2019): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Precept motorhomes built on Ford F53 chassis. The hydraulic lines may have been incorrectly routed too close to the exhaust without a heat shield.
Fix: Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the hydraulic line routing as necessary and install a heat shield, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2019. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco's number for this recall is 9903440.
Recall 18V078000 (30/01/2018): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2017 Precept motorhomes. The brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) on these vehicles may be missing valve block ball plugs, potentially causing a brake fluid leak or air ingestion during electronic brake distribution and/or ABS activation.
Fix: Jayco will notify owners, and Ford dealers will inspect the hydraulic block and replace the HECU if the ball plugs are present, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137.
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: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 16V561000 (27/07/2016): SEATS
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Alante and Precept motorhomes manufactured October 13, 2014, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles have a driver seat that may loosen and detach from the seat base as a result of the seat having been swiveled around.
Fix: Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a jam nut on top of the seat base nut, free of charge. The recall began on August 16, 2016. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-283-8267. Jayco's number for this recall is 9903310.
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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 recall
Recall 19V270000 (02/04/2019): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Precept, 2016-2019 Alante and 2019 Precept Prestige motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly resulting in overheating of the wiring.
Fix: Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a 25amp fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco's number for this recall is 9903432.
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
Motorhome chassis: 3 complaints
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.
Other: 3 complaints
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
10/03/2018, VISIBILITY/WIPER: WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED'WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HIGH SPEED, THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER BLADE AN ARM LIFT AWAY FROM THE WINDSHIELD, SLAMMING BACK DOWN WHEN IT REACHES THE FAR LEFT END OF ITS TRAVEL. THE WIPER ARM LIFTING FROM THE WINDSHIELD RESULTS IN RESTRICTED VISIBILITY AS THERE IS NO CLEARING OF THE WINDSHIELD.
08/06/2019, ENGINE: TL *THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 JAYCO PRECEPT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN USE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS HEATED UP TO AN EXTENT WHERE A PLASTIC STORAGE BIN ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED TO MELT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR OF MELTED PLASTIC WHICH ALERTED HIM TO THE ISSUE. RICHARDSON'S RV CENTER LOCATED AT 26776 ENCANTO DR, SUN CITY, CA 92585, (866)864-9810 WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFO
08/04/2025, STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT: The contact owns a 2017 Jayco Precept built on a 2016 Ford Motorhome Chassis. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, there was smoke coming from the rear of the RV. The contact pulled over to the side of the roadway and stopped the RV. The RV was towed to the local repair center, where it was diagnosed and determined that hydraulic fluid had leaked onto the exhaust pipes, causing the smoke. The contac
06/29/2021, VISIBILITY/WIPER: I purchased a 2017 Jayco Precept 36T on 9/16/2017 and have had issues with it, most that have been handled by Jayco, including a slideout. However, the Windshield Wipers have been a problem for the last 3 years that I have owned it. The Driver's Side Wiper, when being operated, goes too far to the side and goes off the vehicle, flopping off to the side. Camping World has tried to repair it several times, supposedl
06/15/2021, ENGINE: The exhaust is melting the rear wheel liner and damaging the rear wheel
01/07/2022, STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: I recently purchased a used Jayco Precept 31 UL motorhome that is on a Ford F53 chassis. After the purchase I found that the vehicle handled very dangerously when being passed by a large trucks, or when there were crosswinds or medium strength winds. The problem was bad enough the I narrowly avoided accidents caused by being pushed around by passing 18 wheel trucks or crosswinds, or both. After doing some research
Looking at a 2017 Jayco Precept?
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.