Recall 16V696 covers 223 2016-2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes with loose spare tire brackets. Free repair at a dealer.
Thor Motor Coach is recalling 223 2016-2017 Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes because the spare tire bracket can loosen and detach while the vehicle is moving. A loose spare tire and bracket create a road hazard that increases crash or injury risk, and Thor Motor Coach dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The spare tire bracket on 2016-2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes holds the emergency spare tire against the rear wall. It is supposed to stay tight through normal road vibration, turns, stops, and highway travel. Rivet nuts inside the rear wall give the bracket threaded anchors so the spare tire stays attached to the coach.
On affected motorhomes, those rivet nuts were not installed correctly. The bracket can loosen because the anchors inside the rear wall do not grip the wall as designed. Once the bracket starts moving, the weight of the spare tire adds more stress to the loose mounting points. During vehicle operation, the bracket and spare tire can detach from the rear of the motorhome.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should not count on noise, vibration, or a visible gap to appear before the bracket lets go.
Who's affected?
Covers both Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes in the 2016 and 2017 model years, all tied to the temporary spare tire.
| 2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau | tire |
|---|---|
| 2016 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds | tire |
| 2016 Thor Motor Coach Chateau | tire |
| 2017 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds | tire |
| Units affected | 223 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 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?
If the spare tire bracket separates, the bracket and spare tire can fall into traffic and create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the repair soon and avoid loading or disturbing the spare tire area. Repair is free at any franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau or Four Winds is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer to schedule the free carriage-bolt repair that secures the spare tire bracket.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V696 when you call.
- Avoid trips you do not need until the spare tire bracket is secured.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thor Motor Coach technician installs carriage bolts to properly secure the spare tire bracket so it stays attached during vehicle operation. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Thor Motor Coach has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who paid out of pocket for this recall repair before the notice. Bring documentation of the prior repair to the service desk or contact Thor Motor Coach customer service about the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 27, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 31, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 12, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| November 12, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V696?
Recall 16V696 covers 223 2016-2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes with a spare tire bracket that can loosen and detach during travel. Thor Motor Coach dealers will install carriage bolts to secure the bracket for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau or Four Winds is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 16V696. If it is, contact a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer to schedule the spare tire bracket repair. Reference recall number 16V696 and Thor Motor Coach recall number RC000122 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. Thor Motor Coach dealers will install carriage bolts to properly secure the spare tire bracket free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The spare tire bracket can loosen and detach while the motorhome is moving. A loose spare tire in traffic creates a road hazard and increases crash or injury risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free bracket repair with a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer.
What if I bought my Thor Motor Coach motorhome used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Chateau or Four Winds is included, then call a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer and reference recall number 16V696.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V696000 |
|---|---|
| Thor Motor Coach customer service | 1-877-500-1020 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V696 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V696000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (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 →