2021 Thor Motor Coach Chateau problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Thor Motor Coach Chateau. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Motorhome chassis: 2 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 20V444000 (29/07/2020): AIR BAGS
Thor Motor Coach (Thor) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Quantum, Delano, Tiburon, Chateau and Freedom Elite motorhomes and 2020 Gemini, Chateau Citation, Compass, Siesta, and Synergy motorhomes built on Sprinter Van chassis (platform 970 (VS30), equipped with swivel seats. The wiring harnesses for the front seats may have been routed incorrectly and could become jammed and damaged in the swivel seat frames.
Fix: Thor will notify owners, and Mercedes-Benz dealers will inspect the wire harness routing for both front seats and will repair the wiring and add clips or cable ties as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 13, 2020. Owners may contact Thor customer service at 1-877-855-2867 Mercedes-Benz customer service at 1-877-762-8267. Thor's number for this recall is RC000200.
Recall 20V303000 (27/05/2020): ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Quantum, Chateau and Four Winds, and 2020 Vegas and Axis motorhomes built on a Ford E-series chassis. A wire harness in the rear of the vehicle may contact the vehicle frame, resulting in damage to the circuits that support the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and Ford dealers will inspect the wire harness for damage. If no damage is found, dealers will apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. If damage is found, dealers will splice in new wire and apply anti-abrasion tape over the area and ensure clearance to surrounding components. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall The recall began June 25, 2020., 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000189.
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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 2 recalls
Recall 20V711000 (17/11/2020): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Chateau, Freedom Elite, Quantum motorhomes built on a Chevrolet chassis. The BIM (Battery Isolation Manager)/BIR (Battery Isolation Relay) is not watertight when exposed to engine compartment heat.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the BIM/BIR with a Trombetta solenoid, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2021. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000206.
Recall 20V419000 (20/07/2020): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2021 Daybreak, Four Winds, Quantum, Chateau, and Freedom Elite motorhomes built on the 2020 Ford E-Series chassis. The battery cable may not have been properly secured within the chassis rail, which can cause it to contact the exhaust manifold and heat shield.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the battery cable. If needed the cable will be re-routed and properly secured, free of charge. This recall began September 11, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000197.
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
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 20V458000 (05/08/2020): SEAT BELTS
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Daybreak 23DB, 2018-2021 Four Winds 23U, and 2018-2021 Chateau 23U motorhomes. Bolts of the wrong size were used to secure the barrel chair pedestals, allowing the pedestal to separate from the floor in the event of a crash. As such, these motorhomes fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 207, "Seating Systems" and number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages."
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the pedestal bolt size, correcting the hardware as necessary, free of charge. This recall began September 14, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000202.
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.
Other: 1 complaint
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/21/2024, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Driving on I-10 on December 12, 2024, the Solar Panel flew off the roof of my 2021 Thor Chateaux 27R and into the ditch. My wife following the RV in our other vehicle saw it happen. Luckily no one was hit by the panel as it could have been deadly serious. Looking at the roof later, I found two brackets (of a total of 4) still intact but missing bolts while the two brackets on the other side were gone with only two
11/05/2025, ENGINE: The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V795000 (ENGINE) on the 2021 Thor Motor Coach; however, when the dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment for the recall repair, the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased recently. The contact had
Looking at a 2021 Thor Motor Coach Chateau?
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.