Recall 11V056 covers 9 Custom Designed recreational vehicles with Norcold refrigerators that can fail to shut off power fast enough. Free remedy at Norcold dealers.
Custom Designed is recalling 9 recreational vehicles from 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, including the 5300FB-5, because the 1200-series Norcold refrigerator safety shutoff does not respond fast enough to high temperatures. A delayed shutoff after a hydrogen gas leak can leave the refrigerator powered long enough for a fire, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The affected Custom Designed recreational vehicles use 1200-series Norcold refrigerators. The refrigerator keeps food cold while the RV is parked or traveling. Its protective sensing algorithm or thermal switch is supposed to cut power when high temperatures are detected, so the refrigerator stops heating before a fire starts.
On these units, that shutoff protection reacts too slowly. The refrigerator still has a device meant to stop power during an overheat condition, but the response time is not fast enough for the protection to do its job. If temperatures rise and power stays on too long, the condition creates a fire risk inside the recreational vehicle.
There is no warning sign before failure. The refrigerator can appear to operate normally before the shutoff response fails to act quickly enough.
Who's affected?
The listed Custom Designed models share the same recreational vehicle/trailer equipment component across the affected model years.
| 2001 Custom Designed 5300FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
|---|---|
| 2007 Custom Designed 5300FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2005 Custom Designed 4200FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2008 Custom Designed 5000FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2004 Custom Designed 5100FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2000 Custom Designed 5000FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2009 Custom Designed 5300FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| 2005 Custom Designed 5300FB-5 | Recreational vehicle/trailer |
| Units affected | 9 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the refrigerator overheats from a hydrogen gas leak, the shutoff system can fail to cut power fast enough to prevent a fire. There is no stated warning sign before this failure, so arrange the recall service soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Custom Designed dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 Custom Designed 5300FB-5, 4200FB-5, 5000FB-5, or 5100FB-5 is included in this recall.
- Review the Custom Designed owner notice that was mailed after February 5, 2011 for the Norcold refrigerator remedy instructions.
- Contact a Norcold dealer to ask for the free refrigerator safety remedy that corrects the delayed high-temperature power shutoff.
- Reference recall number 11V056 when you call, and tell the dealer your vehicle has a 1200-series Norcold refrigerator.
- Avoid using the refrigerator until the recall remedy is complete.
What happens at the repair
The remedy directs affected owners to a Norcold dealer for the refrigerator repair tied to defect report 10E-049. The notice does not describe the exact parts replaced or adjusted, so the dealer should confirm the refrigerator remedy before work begins. The recall remedy is free. Travel Units began the safety recall on February 5, 2011, and the listed owner contact for Norcold is 1-800-767-9101. Keep any service paperwork from the visit for your records.
Timeline
| January 20, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 5, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V056?
Recall 11V056 covers 9 Custom Designed recreational vehicles equipped with 1200-series Norcold refrigerators. The refrigerator shutoff system can fail to stop power fast enough when high temperatures occur from a hydrogen gas leak, increasing fire risk. Norcold dealers provide the remedy for free.
What should I do if my 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 Custom Designed 5300FB-5, 4200FB-5, 5000FB-5, or 5100FB-5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 11V056. If it is, contact a Norcold dealer for the free refrigerator remedy. Reference recall number 11V056 and the 1200-series Norcold refrigerator when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall remedy to be provided at no cost. The remedy instructions direct affected owners to Norcold dealers for the free refrigerator repair, and Norcold can be reached at 1-800-767-9101.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. The refrigerator shutoff system is meant to stop power when high temperatures are detected from a hydrogen gas leak, but this recall says the response time is not sufficient to prevent a fire.
When did this recall start?
The safety recall began on February 5, 2011. Because this recall covers older custom recreational vehicles, a mailed notice is not enough to confirm coverage now. Check your VIN and use recall number 11V056 when speaking with the service contact.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V056000 |
|---|---|
| Custom Designed customer service | 1-800-767-9101 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V056 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V056000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →