Recall 17V121 affects 35 2012 Tiffin Phaeton motorhomes for an exhaust pipe that can melt floor insulation. Repair is free at any franchised Tiffin dealer.
Tiffin is recalling 35 2012 Phaeton motorhomes with QBH, QKH, and QTH floor plans because the exhaust pipe sits too close to the underside of the floor. That spacing can melt insulation and increase the risk of a fire; Tiffin dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The exhaust pipe on a 2012 Tiffin Phaeton carries hot engine gases away from the engine and out of the motorhome. On QBH, QKH, and QTH floor plans built on the PowerGlide chassis, that pipe runs close to the underside of the floor. The pipe is supposed to have enough clearance so normal exhaust heat does not soak into the living area floor.
On affected Phaeton motorhomes, the exhaust pipe was mounted too close to the floor. Heat from the pipe can build under the coach instead of staying separated by safe clearance. Tiffin had used an earlier production repair on these coaches, but later found that repair did not control the exhaust heat as intended.
The warning sign is a floor that gets really hot. If the floor feels unusually hot above or near the exhaust path, treat that as the sign that heat is reaching an area it should not reach.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Tiffin Phaeton | Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 35 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no 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?
Insufficient clearance between the exhaust pipe and floor can overheat the floor insulation, melt it, and increase the risk of a fire. A floor that feels unusually hot is the warning sign to stop using the vehicle and call a Tiffin dealer for repair guidance. Repair is free at any franchised Tiffin dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Tiffin Phaeton is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Tiffin dealer to schedule the free exhaust reconfiguration that adds clearance between the exhaust pipe and the floor insulation.
- Bring the recall notice if Tiffin mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V121 when you call.
- Use the motorhome only as needed until the exhaust clearance repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Tiffin technician reconfigures the exhaust so the pipe has extra clearance from the underside of the floor. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered by Tiffin. Tell the service desk this is recall TIF-106 so they can match the work to the 2012 Phaeton exhaust clearance campaign. The work addresses the exhaust pipe location described in the recall.
Timeline
| February 27, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 22, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V121?
Recall 17V121 covers 35 2012 Tiffin Phaeton motorhomes with QBH, QKH, and QTH floor plans built on PowerGlide chassis. The exhaust pipe sits too close to the underside of the floor, which can melt insulation and increase fire risk.
What should I do if my 2012 Tiffin Phaeton is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 17V121. If it is, contact a Tiffin dealer to schedule the exhaust reconfiguration. Reference recall number 17V121 and Tiffin recall TIF-106 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recall defects at no cost, and Tiffin dealers will reconfigure the exhaust to provide extra clearance free of charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. On affected 2012 Tiffin Phaeton motorhomes, the exhaust pipe is mounted too close to the underside of the floor. That spacing can melt insulation and raise the risk of a fire until the exhaust is reconfigured.
What if I bought my Tiffin Phaeton used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call a Tiffin dealer or Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661 with recall number 17V121 and TIF-106.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V121000 |
|---|---|
| Tiffin customer service | 1-256-356-8661 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V121 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V121000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →