2018 Jayco Precept problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 4 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Jayco Precept. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall, 2 complaints
Recall 18V297000 (04/05/2018): VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2018 Jayco Alante and 2018-2019 Jayco Precept vehicles. The windshield wiper system motor on these vehicles may fail when being operated in heavy snow or ice situations, thereby reducing driver visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Fix: Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper module with a new relay pack, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco's number for this recall is 9903378.
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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall
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.
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
Recall 18V451000 (05/07/2018): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Jayco Alante, Precept, Seneca, Redhawk, and Melbourne motorhomes. The Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) label incorrectly overstates the cargo capacity, potentially causing the vehicle to be overloaded. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Wheels and Rims - Other than Passenger Cars."
Fix: Jayco will notify owners, and will provided a corrected CCC label, free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2018. Owners may contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco's number for this recall is 9903405.
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
Structure, roof and leaks: 2 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
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/29/2020, VISIBILITY/WIPER: THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER. DURING HIGHWAY USE IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER AND ARM MALFUNCTIONS AND SWINGS TOO FAR TO THE LEFT ACTUALLY LEAVING THE WINDSHIELD AND WRAPPING AROUND THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW. THE WIPER THEN SLAMS AGAINST THE LEFT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AS IT ACTUATES BACK TO THE RIGHT CAUSING SCRATCHES AND DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WIPER ARM TO
08/22/2018, STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JAYCO PRECEPT. WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE FOUR SLIDE OUTS DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND MANEUVERED THE SLIDE OUTS BACK IN PLACE. THE DEALER (LINK FORD AND RV, 660 W HOKAH ST, MINONG, WI 54859, (715) 466-2222, 1-800-332-3410) WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THEIR GUIDELINES. THERE HAD BEEN SIX OTH
07/18/2018, VISIBILITY: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 JAYCO PRECEPT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND WAIT UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED. THE CONTACT CALLED CAMPING WORLD OF CHARLESTON (8155 RIVERS AVE NORTH, CHARLESTON, SC 29406, 888-471-3171) AND WAS ADVISED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE
03/26/2021, STRUCTURE: 2018 JAYCO PRECEPT MOTORHOME. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING A DEFECT IN DESIGN AND INSTALLATION OF THE PROPANE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DESIGN AND ROUTING OF FOUR PROPANE SUPPLY HOSES TO INTERIOR APPLIANCES IS UNSAFE. THE HOSES BECOME TANGLED AND PREVENTS GAS FROM REACHING THE APPLIANCES. *JS
Looking at a 2018 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.