Recall 13V164 covers 427 2013-2014 Thor Motor Coach motorhomes with awning motors that can unfurl unexpectedly. Repair is free through Thor.
Thor Motor Coach recall 13V164 covers 427 2013-2014 motorhomes, with Chateau, Challenger, Four Winds 5000, and Hurricane among the included models, because the awning motor can be damaged when the installation sequence is incomplete. A damaged motor can let the awning unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of injury or a crash; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The power awning on these 2013-2014 Thor Motor Coach motorhomes is the exterior shade assembly mounted along the side of the coach. Its motor winds the awning fabric in and holds the roller tight when the awning is stored. When it works correctly, the awning stays folded against the body until the owner extends it.
On affected Chateau, Challenger, Four Winds 5000, Hurricane, Majestic, Chateau Sport, Palazzo, Windsport, and Four Winds Siesta motorhomes, the problem starts during installation. If the awning installation sequence was not completed, the awning motor was damaged. A damaged motor no longer controls the roller as designed, which lets the awning unfurl instead of staying secured.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first sign can be the awning beginning to unroll from its stored position, so treat any loose, sagging, or partially unfurled awning as a repair issue.
Who's affected?
Spans 9 Thor Motor Coach motorhome lines across the 2013-2014 model years, all tied to the equipment component.
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Challenger | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 5000 | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Hurricane | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Majestic | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds 5000 | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Chateau Sport | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau Sport | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Chateau | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Palazzo | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Windsport | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Challenger | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Hurricane | Equipment |
| 2014 Thor Motor Coach Windsport | Equipment |
| 2013 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds Siesta | Equipment |
| Units affected | 427 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Motor damage can let the awning unfurl unexpectedly while the motorhome is parked or moving, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash. Schedule the recall repair before using the motorhome for another trip, and ask the dealer how to handle transport. Repair will be free at any franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Thor Motor Coach motorhome is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorhome until the awning-motor repair is complete.
- Arrange a tow if the motorhome must be moved for service; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact Thor Motor Coach customer service or a franchised Thor Motor Coach service location to confirm repair timing for the awning-motor replacement that stops the damaged motor from letting the awning unfurl unexpectedly.
- Bring the recall notice if Thor Motor Coach mailed one. If not, reference recall number 13V164 when you call.
- Ask whether Dometic staff will perform the motor replacement and confirm that parts and labor are covered.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the motorhome until the awning motor repair is complete. The remedy calls for Dometic staff to replace the affected awning motors with a design that avoids the installation sequence error tied to the original damage. Thor Motor Coach said the recall began during May 2013, but the current remedy status in this record is not confirmed. The final dealer or service repair is covered under the recall once available. Ask Thor Motor Coach or Dometic how the repair is being handled for your VIN before moving the vehicle.
Timeline
| April 25, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 9, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V164?
Recall 13V164 covers 427 2013-2014 Thor Motor Coach motorhomes with awning motors that can be damaged during installation. A damaged motor can let the awning unfurl unexpectedly while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Thor Motor Coach Chateau, Challenger, Four Winds 5000, Hurricane, Majestic, Chateau Sport, Palazzo, Windsport, or Four Winds Siesta is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 13V164. If it is, contact Thor Motor Coach at 1-877-855-2867 or a franchised Thor Motor Coach service location to arrange the awning motor replacement. Keep the motorhome parked until the repair is performed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Thor Motor Coach said Dometic staff will replace the affected awning motors with a design that is not subject to the same installation-sequence error.
What is the safety risk in recall 13V164?
The safety risk is an awning that unfurls unexpectedly. Thor Motor Coach said this can happen while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash. The repair path is replacement of the affected awning motor.
When did Thor Motor Coach start this recall repair?
Thor Motor Coach said the recall began during May 2013. If your VIN is included and the repair is still open, ask a franchised Thor Motor Coach service location to confirm parts and schedule the awning motor replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V164000 |
|---|---|
| Thor Motor Coach customer service | 1-877-855-2867 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V164 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V164000 |
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 →