2017 Thor Motor Coach Axis problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Axis. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Other: 2 recalls
Recall 17V634000 (09/10/2017): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Challenger, Axis, Chateau, Four Winds, Hurricane, Miramar, Palazzo, Tuscany, Vegas, Venetian, and Windsport motorhomes. The cargo carrying capacity (CCC) label on these vehicles may indicate an incorrect water capacity for the water heater/fresh water tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 120, "Tires and Rims for Motor vehicles over 10,000lbs."
Fix: TMC will notify owners and send them corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on November 15, 2017. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-500-1020. TMC's number for this recall is RC000147.
Recall 17V758000 (22/11/2017): EQUIPMENT
Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling various 2003-2018 recreational vehicles, equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. See a list of the affected trailer models at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V758-5764.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Fix: Thor will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-500-1020, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 3 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.
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
11/10/2021, VISIBILITY/WIPER: SUBJECT: WIPER ON DRIVER SIDE. 2017 THOR AXIS MOTORHOME. WIPER SWEEP (FROM CENTER PARK) STOPS MID-LEFT HAND BEFORE RETURNING TO PARK POSITION. THUS, THE BLADE STOPS DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER VIEW FORWARD, OBSTRUCTING ONCOMING TRAFFIC VIEW TO THE LEFT OF THE DRIVERS FIELD OF VISION. THE WIPER BLADE DOES NOT CLEAR RAIN ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS VIEW. THOR MOTORS CLAIMS THERE IS NO FIX, A
09/26/2019, VISIBILITY/WIPER: TRAVELING WEST ON I94 NORTH DAKOTA IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE DURING A RAINSTORM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME ENTANGLED WHEN THEY WENT OUT OF SYNC CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER LINKAGE TO BREAK. WE WERE FORCED TO CONTINUE DRIVING UNTIL WE EXITED THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER AND INTERSTATE TRAFFIC WAS TWO DIRECTIONS ON ONE SIDE. THIS WAS THE FOURTH TIME THE WIPERS FAILED IN TWO YEARS. PREVIOUS REC
07/18/2018, STEERING: AFTER A YEAR OF THE BATTERY DRAINING EVERY FEW DAYS AND MANY MONTHS IN SERVICE, A FORD SERVICE CENTER FOUND A SEVERELY RUSTED STEERING COLUMN INSIDE THE RV. THE VEHICLE WAS THEREFORE NOT GOING FULLY INTO PARK. (I AM ENTERING MARCH 1, 2018 AS THE DATE, BUT WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY FROM MARCH 2017-OCTOBER 2017 EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM.)
06/21/2020, VISIBILITY/WIPER: I BOUGHT ON 9-12-17, ON THE 1ST RAIN, WIPERS ONLY CLEARED ABOUT 50% OF THE DRIVERS VIEW. DEALER MADE ADJUSTMENT TO COVER MORE WINDSHIELD WHICH NOW LEFT TIE WIPERS ABOUT 1 FT. FROM BOTTOM WHEN RESTING, I CAN LIVE WITH THAT, PROBLEM NOW WAS IN 2ND RAIN AND WIND, THE WIPERS WRAPPED AROUND BOTH CORNER POSTS, HAD TO TURN OFF WIPERS AND PULL OVER. I TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND HAD THEM RETURN TO ORIGINAL POSITION, 50% BETTER T
Looking at a 2017 Thor Motor Coach Axis?
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.