Recall 16V397 affects 539 2014-2016 Tiffin Allegro motorhomes for steering-box spacer wear. Inspection and needed replacement are free at any franchised Tiffin dealer.
Tiffin is recalling 539 2014-2016 Allegro motorhomes because certain ZF independent front steering axles have Bosch steering boxes built with incorrect internal spacers. Premature wear in the steering connection can lead to sudden loss of steering ability and increased crash risk; Tiffin dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The steering gear box on 2014-2016 Tiffin Allegro motorhomes is the mechanical link that turns steering-wheel movement into movement at the front axle. It works with the ZF independent front steering axle and Bosch steering box so the front wheels respond when the driver turns the wheel. Inside the box, spacers keep the internal parts positioned correctly as the steering system carries load.
On affected motorhomes, Bosch assembled the steering boxes with 10 spacers of the wrong size. Those spacers create premature wear in the connection between the steering wheel and the front axle. As that connection wears, the steering gear box no longer holds the internal parts the way it was designed to, which weakens the path that transfers the driver's steering input to the front axle.
There is no warning sign before failure. The filing says there is no warning to the driver, so an owner should not count on a noise, looseness, or dashboard light to appear first.
Who's affected?
Covers the Allegro model line across the 2014-2016 model years, with the same steering gear listed for each year.
| 2014 Tiffin Allegro | steering gear |
|---|---|
| 2015 Tiffin Allegro | steering gear |
| 2016 Tiffin Allegro | steering gear |
| Units affected | 539 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
A failed steering connection can cause sudden loss of steering ability and increase crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. Because Tiffin urged owners to avoid driving until inspection, call a franchised Tiffin dealer and ask how to handle the inspection safely. Repair is free at any franchised Tiffin dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2016 Tiffin Allegro is included in this recall.
- Do not drive the motorhome until a Tiffin dealer inspects the steering box.
- Arrange a tow if the motorhome has to be moved to the dealer; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact a franchised Tiffin dealer to schedule the free steering-box inspection and steering-box replacement that fixes the worn steering connection.
- Bring the recall notice if Tiffin mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V397 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Tiffin technician inspects the steering box tied to the ZF RL77 / 80EM front steering axle and Bosch 8018 steering box. If the inspection shows the wrong internal spacers caused wear or damage, the technician replaces the steering box. The recall repair is free. Do not drive the motorhome until it has been inspected. Tiffin has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for this repair. Ask Tiffin customer service or the service desk what documentation is required.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 2, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 17, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V397?
Recall 16V397 covers 539 2014-2016 Tiffin Allegro motorhomes with certain ZF RL77 / 80EM independent front steering axles and Bosch 8018 steering boxes. Incorrect internal spacers can wear early and break the steering wheel's connection to the front axle.
What should I do if my 2014-2016 Tiffin Allegro is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 16V397. If it is, keep it parked until a Tiffin dealer inspects the steering box. The dealer will replace the steering box if needed, free of charge.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Tiffin dealers will inspect the steering box and replace it if necessary for free under recall 16V397.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is a sudden loss of steering ability. If the steering wheel's connection to the front axle fails, the driver can lose steering control, increasing crash risk. Keep the motorhome parked until the inspection is complete.
Who should I call about Tiffin recall 16V397?
Call Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661 if you need recall instructions or help finding service. Reference recall 16V397 when you call, then confirm the repair plan with a franchised Tiffin dealer before moving the motorhome.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V397000 |
|---|---|
| Tiffin customer service | 1-256-356-8661 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V397 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V397000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →