2020 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 7 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, 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.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 4 recalls, 1 complaint
Recall 19V609000 (20/08/2019): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020 Chateau, Daybreak, Four Winds, Freedom Elite, Majestic, Outlaw and Quantum motorhomes. The battery cables may loosen on the battery isolation manager (BIM) or battery isolation relay (BIR), causing premature BIN/BIR failure or electrical arcing.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install lock washers to properly secure the battery cable to the BIM/BIR. If the cable was loose, dealers will also replace the BIM/BIR, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000172.
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 20V423000 (22/07/2020): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Freedom Elite, and 2021 Four Winds motorhomes. A 100amp converter breaker was incorrectly installed at the battery tray when a 70amp breaker is required, possibly resulting in the wiring connected to the breaker overheating.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and dealers will replace the converter breaker with one of the correct amperage if needed, free of charge. This recall began September 18, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000199.
Recall 19V775000 (28/10/2019): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Chateau 22B, 22E, 23U, 24F, 25V, and 28A, Daybreak 22GO, Four Winds 22B, 22E, 24F, 26B and 28A, Freedom Elite 22HE and 2020 Quantum GR22, and SE22 motorhomes. The seatbelt-unfastened warning light will not illuminate for approximately five seconds after the ignition is moved to the "on" or "start" position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Fix: GM will notify TMC owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000177.
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: 2 recalls
Recall 20V308000 (27/05/2020): POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020 Daybreak, Four Winds, Delano, Gemini, Quantum, Tiburon, Chateau Citation, Compass, Chateau, Siesta, Freedom Elite, and Synergy motorhomes built on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis [platform 907 (VS30)] equipped with automatic transmissions. The owner's manual does not correctly specify the certain conditions under which the automatic parking function (Auto-P) operates.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and a Mercedes Benz dealer will supplement the Operator's Manual with a correct description of the Auto-P function equipped in the vehicle. This recall began June 25, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000190.
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.
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 recall
Recall 20V312000 (28/05/2020): STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2020 Daybreak, Four Winds, Delano, Gemini, Quantum, Tiburon, Chateau Citation, Compass, Chateau, Siesta, Freedom Elite, and Synergy motorhomes built on Mercedes Benz Sprinter chassis [platform 907 (VS30)]. The rear part of the fender liner on the front axle may contact and chafe the brake hose, possibly resulting in a loss of brake fluid.
Fix: TMC will notify owners, and an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will inspect the brake hoses for chafing and replacement if necessary. The fender liner will also be altered to permit more clearance. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began June 25, 2020. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC's number for this recall is RC000191.
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
Other: 2 complaints
What owners reported to NHTSA
10/02/2020, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 THOR MOTOR COACH FREEDOM ELITE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, AND MAKING A LEFT TURN THE RV LOSS MOTIVE POWER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE RV WAS TOWED TO WAXAHACHIE FORD LOCATED AT 1780 W. HWY 287 BYPASS, WAXAHACHIE, TX 75167, (972) 8
08/18/2020, UNKNOWN OR OTHER: A BICYCLIST ALERTED US AT 0630 THAT OUR RV WAS ON FIRE AS IT SAT PARKED, OFF AND UNPLUGGED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE RV WAS IN FLAMES AND WE EVACUATED OUR HOME SECONDS BEFORE THE RV EXPLODED ABOUT 5 FEET FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW. 7 FIRE TRUCKS RESPONDED. THE FIREFIGHTERS SAID THAT IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A METAL ROOF, OUR WHOLE HOUSE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN FLAMES BECAUSE OF THE HOT EMBERS ON THE ROOF. OUR HOME,
Looking at a 2020 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite?
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.