I understand from a source at NHTSA there is a 5th recall. If you think thats too many, one of their step vans is up to recall 39. You have to wonder if these are a reflection of the engineering or the management decision making, or both!
I had been at logger heads with fccc
since 2017 re this issue (still on going, mostly documented in the newmar forum). Their own engineer's initial diagnosis was, 'Too much amp draw from the wiring harness, causing the relay to shut down'. The original behavior was very consistent. After about 30 min of tail lights and/or the dash AC turned ON, the failure occurred. A shutdown overnight, the problem was resolved. This was consistent with fccc's own engineer's observation. Now fccc is spreading this vicious rumor(!!) about some circuit cracking. Actually my own dealer had mentioned it back in early 2020 when I had the 2nd recall. If the circuit is the problem, they have had 2 years to resolve it!
If this defect is indeed caused by some circuit component or the soldering failure (as some have suggested), how come it recovers? Furthermore, why is it only effecting the tail light,markers, turn signals, dash AC (Various fccc chassis may have different components attached to this particular harness) among others?
The PDM generally has 5 or 6 different wiring harnesses attached to it. There are a number of other relays, fuses, etc on the same board. How come no other component is impacted? This issue has always been effecting tail lights (plus some others) and it continues to do so. Whatever the correct resolution to this defect maybe, it is likely costly. So the correct resolution is ignored. Unfortunately DTNA/fccc have a habit of covering up various safety defects relating to their product lines. USB tag axles (2016-2017), Radiator fan housing (2013-2019), (it was resolved only due to loss of a legal claim). This pdm/lights issue (5 years on) and is only getting some attention due to direct contacts with the NHTSA administrators.
Just one or two voices are not sufficient to get real resolutions to such issues. NHTSA only responds when there is public pressure. Otherwise they only respond
IF the manufacturer voluntarily notifies NHTSA about their safety defects. DTNA/FCCC have a habit of covering up their safety defects. If you have any doubts, you can review this
CONSENT ORDER issued by NHTSA for dtna/fccc ignoring a host of safety defects repeatedly.
Continually failing to resolve this issue, now after 5 years, this will eventually call up some one's number. Driving without the tail lights or turn signal, in a rain storm, or fog or at night will eventually cause some one to experience a collision. Even though, the liability lies with dtna/fccc and the RV manufacturer, someone will suffer. So I hope those who have had their recalls recently and are still experiencing the failure would consider
filling a report, just to keep NHTSA carrying their legal mandate.
At the same time, one would hope the new FCCC CEO (Jeff Sather ) who has apparently been seen on these forums and who claims to 'care' for the customers, would perhaps explain why this serious safety issue among others are repeatedly ignored by dtna/fccc? How could this conduct be considered 'caring' for the customer Mr. Sather?
Tom and Rosemary, 2019 Tuscany 38 SQ
Linear Mode
