If your 2017 Thor Motor Coach motorhome is in recall 17V166, dealers install the missing middle sofa seat belt for free.
Thor Motor Coach is recalling 171 2017 Freedom Elite, Four Winds, and Chateau motorhomes because the sofa seat belt is missing from the middle seating position. In a crash, that occupant is not properly restrained, increasing injury risk; Thor Motor Coach dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The sofa in the 2017 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, Four Winds, and Chateau motorhomes was built with 3 seating positions. Each seating position needs its own seat belt so a passenger can be restrained while the motorhome is moving. The middle sofa belt is the part that lets the center passenger use that seat as designed.
On affected motorhomes, the middle seat belt was not installed during manufacturing. The sofa still has the middle seating position, but the belt for that position is missing. That leaves the center passenger without the restraint that the seating layout calls for.
There is no warning sign before failure because this is an omitted part, not a belt that wears out or breaks first. Owners can check the sofa directly: if the middle seating position has no seat belt, that is the defect described in recall 17V166.
Who's affected?
Covers three Thor Motor Coach motorhome lines from the 2017 model year, all tied to the seat belt component.
| 2017 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2017 Thor Motor Coach Four Winds | seat belt |
| 2017 Thor Motor Coach Chateau | seat belt |
| Units affected | 171 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching 2017 model name does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Without the middle sofa seat belt, the occupant in that position is not properly restrained in a crash, increasing injury risk. Until the repair is complete, leave that seating position unused for travel and schedule the seat belt installation. Repair is free at any franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, Four Winds, or Chateau is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer to schedule the free middle-seat-belt installation for the sofa seating position.
- Bring the recall notice if Thor Motor Coach mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V166 when you call.
- Avoid using the middle sofa seating position until the seat belt is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Thor Motor Coach technician installs a seat belt for the sofa's middle seating position. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you paid out of pocket for a related seat belt repair before the recall work, Thor Motor Coach's normal claim process provides reimbursement. Ask customer service or the dealer service desk what documentation they need before you submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 13, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 7, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| May 7, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 7, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| May 8, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V166?
Recall 17V166 covers 171 2017 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, Four Winds, and Chateau motorhomes with a sofa that lacks a seat belt for the middle seating position. Without that belt, the middle occupant is not properly restrained in a crash. Dealers install the middle seat belt for free.
What should I do if my 2017 Thor Motor Coach Freedom Elite, Four Winds, or Chateau is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific motorhome is included in recall 17V166. If it is, contact a franchised Thor Motor Coach dealer to schedule installation of the middle seat belt. Reference recall number RC000130 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost, and Thor Motor Coach dealers will install the missing middle seat belt free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for the recall repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the middle sofa passenger is not properly restrained during a crash. That increases injury risk for the occupant in that seating position. Until the belt is installed, do not use that middle sofa position while the motorhome is moving.
When did Thor Motor Coach notify owners about recall 17V166?
Thor Motor Coach began the recall on May 8, 2017. If you bought the motorhome used or never received a letter, check your VIN and contact Thor Motor Coach customer service at 1-877-855-2867 or a franchised dealer with recall number RC000130.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V166000 |
|---|---|
| Thor Motor Coach customer service | 1-877-855-2867 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V166 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V166000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation 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 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →