NEW DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR RECALL

[2 DA WDS]

Dometic has a new recall for refrigerators made between June 1, 2003 through September 30, 2006. Many of these are the same models as were in the older recall (Recall number 06E076000). (Technically, Dometic’s letter indicates an extension of the original, but NHTSA assigned a new Recall Number and the information is under that new number.)


Text from the NHTSA website Recall 08E03200.

Make / Models : Model/Build Years:
DOMETIC / NDR1062 9999
DOMETIC / RM2652 9999
DOMETIC / RM2662 9999
DOMETIC / RM2852 9999
DOMETIC / RM2862 9999
DOMETIC / RM3662 9999
DOMETIC / RM3663 9999
DOMETIC / RM3862 9999
Recall Number: 08E032000
Summary:
DOMETIC HAS REPORTED A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT COVERING 745,574 TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2003 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2006, WITH SERIAL NOS. 320XXXXX THROUGH 352XXXXX; 401XXXXX THROUGH 452XXXXX; 501XXXXX THROUGH 552XXXXX; AND 601XXXXX THROUGH 639XXXXX, INSTALLED IN CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT. A FATIGUE CRACK MAY DEVELOP IN THE BOILER TUBE WHICH MAY RELEASE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.
Consequence:
THE RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECREATIONAL VEHICLES THAT HAD THE REFRIGERATORS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND DOMETIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE AFTERMARKET REFRIGERATORS. DOMETIC WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY BURNER HOUSING FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL/MAY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC AT 888-446-5157.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO http://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

[SuiteWheels]

Oh great....our model # is there. :( d/h just returned from AZ having some things fixed....dang, wish we would have been notified before taking this over. I sure hope Dometic will send someone out to us...will call in the morning.

Thanks for warning on this one.

[Motor31]

While our serial number is in the range, the model number (NDR1292) Doesn't seem to be listed.

[RonS]

Thanks for the heads up. Ours is one that fits the notice. Have not received anything from DoubleTree yet. I have scheduled other warranty repairs and will try to get this Recall taken care of at the same time.

[billr]

Ours is affected by this one. No notice from DT yet. I called Dometic and confirmed. I have recall work sched at a local Non-DT dealer next week. Dometic will give a list of service centers near your location to do the work.

Thanks Tom for posting the notice!

Bill

[Motor31]

For those getting warranty work done at a service center in Elkhart, I recommend Charger Enterprises. Good folks and great work.

[SuiteWheels]

Well, we got our fixed the same day I called a Mobile RV Service out of Fresno....he was on his way to Visalia anyway and had an account with Dometic so stopped by and it took only about 20 minutes and he was on his way!
Sure glad that one was easy to take care of....although going through the voice mails with Dometic was a pain the the behind to get a human on the line and then she scared me to death....told me immediately to shut off my frig. I explained we live in ours and that's not possible for a long period of time....anyway it fixed! :D

[ponch]

Mine was in the recall list also but not listed. I went on the Dometic site and put in the model and ser. # and they said to take it in. Got it fixed last week.

[wingnut60]

They don't FIX anything--just put a deflector alongside the burner chimney to keep any leaking gas away from the burner flame. This is one of the biggest scams I've ever come across. A known defect (cracked cooling tubes) and they just put a shield on the unit to keep it from igniting the burning gas. I admit it may make the leaking cooling unit safer from a fire, but doesn't address the basic flaw. Friends of ours had the "fix" done on their 2002 SB 30FKS--after their last trip out, put it in storage. Came back several months later--fridge didn't work. Lower part of the burner tube was coated in yellow dust. Dometic won't cooperate AT ALL on a replacement. From the looks of the mess in the back of the fridge area, if it had leaked while the burner was lit, the shield wouldn't have helped.

Are there any efforts going forward toward forcing Dometic to replace the cooling units?

Joe

[2 DA WDS]

From what I've seen, if they wont replace the units I dont have a snowballs chance in heck of them admitting liability for mine burning up. Any good lawyers out there? Let me rephrase that, any competent lawyers out there?

[Motor31]

Tom,

You'll need a lawyer in the area where the rig burned I imagine if it's in a different state. Given the recall and documentation about the fire danger I'd imagine any competent lawyer would be licking their chops over this one. Dropping the recall notice (assuming it covers your fridge) in front of the jury along with pictures of your rig would be a slam dunk I'd bet.

[RonS]

I would not bet a dime. Dometic also has the big gun lawyers. They issued a recall and a free fix. After the fix they may counter that something else caused the fire etc. May have to take it to Judge Judy for resolution.

[Motor31]

Ron,

I believe his rig burned well before the recall was announced and certainly before it was "fixed".

[2 DA WDS]

Yep, mine was 'not on the list'. That would be the first recall. However I'm sure its part of the reason for the 2nd recall!

[RonS]

Mike and Tom

I stand corrected, please keep me in the loop with the settlement of your fire loss. I can only imagine what your going thru. Hopefully all will be resolved to your satisfaction and in a timely manner.