Recall 12V280 covers 90 2008-2011 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw and Avanti RVs for brake drag and overheating. Free dealer repair.
Thor Motor Coach is recalling 90 2008-2011 Outlaw and Avanti recreational vehicles equipped with Bosch hydraulic disc brakes. After long periods without driving, brake caliper piston growth can create brake drag and overheating, reducing brake performance and increasing crash risk; the Thor Motor Coach dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The 2008-2011 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw and Avanti motorhomes in this recall use Bosch hydraulic disc brakes. In normal use, brake fluid pressure pushes pistons inside each caliper, and those pistons press the brake pads against the rotor. When you release the pedal, the pistons need enough clearance to back away so the wheel turns freely.
On affected motorhomes, long periods of non-driving leave the hydraulic brake chassis vulnerable to caliper piston growth. The piston expands across its diameter, reducing the space between the piston and the caliper bore. With less clearance, the brake drags instead of releasing cleanly, which overheats the brake and reduces braking performance.
There is no warning sign before failure. Treat dragging brakes, unusual brake heat, smoke near a wheel, or weaker stopping as signs the problem is already happening, and have the motorhome checked before driving farther.
Who's affected?
Scope splits between Outlaw motorhomes for 2008 through 2010 and Avanti motorhomes for 2011, all tied to the hydraulic brake system.
| 2008 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2009 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw | hydraulic brake system |
| 2011 Thor Motor Coach Avanti | hydraulic brake system |
| 2010 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 90 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific motorhome.
What's the safety risk?
Reduced brake performance means the vehicle needs more distance to stop and increases the risk of a crash. Drive cautiously, leave extra following room, and contact a Thor Motor Coach dealer about the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw or Avanti is included in this recall.
- Wait for Thor Motor Coach or Freightliner Custom Chassis repair instructions before scheduling service.
- Call Thor Motor Coach customer service at 1-877-500-1020 with questions and reference recall number 12V280.
- Ask which dealer will complete the free hydraulic-brake caliper repair that addresses brake drag, overheating, and reduced brake performance.
- Bring the recall notice if Thor Motor Coach or Freightliner Custom Chassis mailed one.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and stop driving if the brakes drag, overheat, or lose performance.
What happens at the repair
Because this recall does not list a final remedy as available, treat the dealer work as not yet open. The final dealer repair will be free once available. At the dealer, a Thor Motor Coach technician repairs the vehicle tied to the Bosch hydraulic disc brake system. The remedy text does not name each part replaced, but the work addresses brake drag, overheating, and reduced brake performance linked to caliper piston clearance. An interim owner letter was mailed on August 6, 2012. Owners can contact Thor Motor Coach for recall handling while the final repair status is confirmed.
Timeline
| June 19, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V280?
Recall 12V280 covers 90 2008-2011 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw and Avanti recreational vehicles equipped with Bosch hydraulic disc brakes. Long periods without driving can lead to brake caliper piston growth, brake drag, overheating, and reduced brake performance. Dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Thor Motor Coach Outlaw or Avanti is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific recreational vehicle is included in recall 12V280. If it is, contact a Thor Motor Coach dealer or authorized service center and reference recall 12V280. Ask whether the brake repair is open and whether the vehicle needs transport before service.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will repair the affected vehicles free of charge. Thor Motor Coach owners can call 1-877-500-1020 for recall support.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced brake performance, which increases crash risk. The defect involves Bosch hydraulic disc brake calipers exposed to long non-driving periods. Piston growth can reduce clearance, create brake drag, overheat the brakes, and lower stopping performance.
What if I bought my Thor Motor Coach RV used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Outlaw or Avanti is included, then give recall 12V280 to the dealer service desk when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V280000 |
|---|---|
| Thor Motor Coach customer service | 1-877-500-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V280 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V280000 |
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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →