2012 Tiffin Phaeton problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 7 recalls and 2 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Tiffin Phaeton. 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: 4 recalls, 2 complaints
Recall 17V121000 (27/02/2017): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2012 Phaeton motorhomes with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH, built on PowerGlide chassis. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.
Fix: Tiffin will notify owner, and dealers will reconfigure the exhaust to provide extra clearance, free of charge. The recall began on March 22, 2017. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin's number for the recall is TIF-106.
Recall 15V612000 (30/09/2015): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Phaeton motorhomes built on Powerglide chassis with floor plans QBH, QKH, and QTH manufactured July 1, 2010, to August 1, 2011. The affected vehicles have an exhaust pipe that is mounted too close to the underside of the floor.
Fix: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will change the configuration of the exhaust to provide extra clearance between it and the floor, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2015. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Note: Although these vehicles may have been previously repaired for this condition under recall number 11V-416, it is important that the affected vehicles receive the revised remedy of this recall.
Recall 12V048000 (08/02/2012): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, 2012, AND 2013 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, MODELS PHAETON AND ZEPHYR, EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISB, ISC, ISL, OR ISX DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
Fix: TIFFINS IS WORKING WITH CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY AUTHORIZED CUMMINS DEALERS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000 OR TIFFINS AT 256-356-8661.
Recall 11V416000 (08/08/2011): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TIFFIN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 PHAETON MOTORHOMES WITH FLOOR PLANS QBH, QKH, AND QTH THAT ARE BUILT WITH 2010 EPA-CERTIFIED ENGINES ON POWERGLIDE CHASSIS. THE EXHAUST PIPE IS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FLOOR.
Fix: TIFFIN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL ATTACH A HEAT SHIELD TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FLOOR AND AN INSULATING SOCK OR BLANKET WILL BE WRAPPED AROUND THE EXHAUST PIPE. THESE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN AT 1-256-356-8661.
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: 2 recalls
Recall 17V841000 (22/12/2017): EQUIPMENT
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2009-2018 Allegro and Allegro RED, Bus and Phaeton vehicles, 2009-2010 Bay vehicles, 2011-2018 Breeze vehicles, and 2009-2015, and 2017-2018 Zephyr vehicles. These motorhomes are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers that 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: Tiffin will notify owners, and instruct them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on February 5, 2018. Owners may contact 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. Owners may also contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
Recall 15V880000 (28/12/2015): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Tiffin Motorhomes (Tiffin) is recalling certain model year 2007-2015 motorhomes manufactured May 1, 2007, to December 31, 2014, equipped with certain Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. The bolt that attaches the fan gear assembly to the steps may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may become unstable.
Fix: Dealers will install a retainer bracket on the double step assemblies and the Coachstep Linkage Assembly will be replaced and a retainer bracket will be installed on the trip step assemblies. The recall began on Ferbuary 10, 2016. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661, or Lippert customer service at 1-574-537-8900.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall
Recall 12V228000 (22/05/2012): SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
TIFFIN MOTORHOMES (TIFFIN) IS RECALLING TWO MODEL YEAR 2012 PHAETON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES BUILT ON A SPARTAN CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH 3030 BRAKE CHAMBERS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 121, AIR BRAKE SYSTEMS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT MEET THE PARK BRAKE AND DRAW BAR REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: THE AFFECTED VEHICLES HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD YET AND TIFFIN HAS NOTIFIED THE DEALERS THAT ARE IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLES. SPARTAN DEALERS WILL INSTALL IMPROVED BRAKE CHAMBERS PRIOR TO SALE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TIFFIN MOTORHOMES AT 1-256-356-8661.
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
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/02/2022, ENGINE: This vehicle like many thousands has a DEF system that uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid in addition to Diesel fuel. This POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME, Installed by both Freight Liner and Cummins diesel, when it fails, it orverides all engine speed controls and only allows the vehicle to drive at 5 mph. THIS IS UNSAFE, DARK, HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS WITH LARGE SEMI TRACTOR TRAILERS, BUS'S, PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS RUNNING AT 70-
09/12/2013, ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TIFFEN PHAETON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN WAS FILLED WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
Looking at a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton?
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.