Lippert Step Recall Notice

360true · 01-03-2016, 08:14 AM

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Forest River, Inc. (Forest River)*is recalling certain*2014 FR3, 2009 Forest River Encore, Sportscoach Elite, and Aurora, 2008-2009 Cruise Master, 2012-2015 Aviator, 2007-2014 Georgetown, 2007-2009 Legend, 2008-2012 Ridgeview, 2008-2014 Cross Country, 2010-2014 Coachmen Encounter, 2009-2014 Pathfinder, Solera, Mirada, Prism, and Pursuit motorhomes.*The affected vehicles are equipped with certain Lippert-brand Coachstep Double and Triple Electric Steps. These steps use a bolt to attach the fan gear assembly to the steps. This bolt may fracture allowing the fan gear to disengage from the steps. As a result, the steps may not remain in the expected position and may be unstable. Unstable entry and exit steps increase the risk of injury. Forest River will notify owners and dealers will install a retainer bracket to reinforce the operating mechanism, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 19, 2016. Owners may contact Forest River customer service number at 1-574-389-4600. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-11102015-0109. Or owners can contact Lippert Components at 1-574-537-8900.*

Jim G · 01-04-2016, 01:26 PM

Thanks a lot for the info. There has been a lot of discussion about these steps in the past. I contacted FR once to see about getting mine replaced since there were so many problems but they said they needed to break before FR would replace them. It is good to know that maybe they arew going to replace them before they cause a problem.

wrapperman · 01-04-2016, 09:18 PM

Jim, just keep an eye on them because when they break and if you are on them you will go face first to the ground if not paying attention.
Mine has broken twice, the first time my wife hit the ground and sprained an ankle,, the second time I notice the steps were making an awful clucking sound and I looked at the shoulder bolt and noticed it was broken and fell out right in front of me.

compman69 · 01-07-2016, 12:53 AM

Thank you so much

fullenw · 01-08-2016, 04:09 PM

Got my notice today. RV is stored so it will be some time before I can check the steps

Hclarkx · 01-09-2016, 02:07 PM

Fullen, The fracture, complete or in progress, may be hard to see until it breaks fully, so check very carefully if you aren't going to have the recall service done.

fullenw · 01-09-2016, 02:23 PM

I'll have it done if I need to. The recall says they don't have a fix yet and that i'm still waiting for further instructions.

hugospro · 01-09-2016, 02:41 PM

Mine broke about a 6 weeks ago. No one got hurt...but it is very shaky going in and out the coach. The fan gear is twisted and the adjustment rod is bent up pretty good. I called Lippert, they told me to call FR. FR's recall line is connected to a recording saying to leave your name, etc. and they will return your call. I called 4 times before Christmas, without any returned calls from FR.
Thanks for the new post with the update. I will start calling them Monday
Have a good winter.

gmann32 · 01-12-2016, 02:20 PM

You just need to weld a plate on the brace right behind the pivot bolt and the bolt it to the top of the steps so all the pressure is not on the bolt but on the brace! Weld a brace on the plate that has the 3 mounting holes for the motor. Weld it directly behind the pivot bolt!

DuncanM · 01-13-2016, 04:24 PM

The step bolt broke on my 2014 Georgetown 335 while i was on it exiting the coach. Thankfully i just slide down the steps onto my backside on the ground. When i contacted my dealer, i was told they will swap it out with a new one. I told them i did not want the same unit installed and that i wanted the Kwikee steps installed instead. Dealer said no way not going to happen, i had seen on here where FR was swapping them out at the rally with the Kwikee models. So i contacted FR and asked, after a couple of emails, they agreed to replace the Lippert steps with Kwikee steps and gave the dealer the ok to do it. This was in the fall of 2013 i think, long before this recall was announced, so they have known about it for a while. Do a search on here for this issue and you will see lots of people having issues with them. i was aware of it before i bought the coach, in fact i purchased a replacement bolt for the steps the day i first picked up the new coach so that i would have one for when it happened. Problem is that the bolt is actually spot welded in one spot which makes it impossible to remove and replace just the bolt. Also keep in mind that this is a Lippert component issue, FR is not the only company to recall these steps.

coachmen · 02-01-2016, 01:41 PM

Thanks! I did receive "Interim Owner Notification" from FR re: Campaign Recall 51-11102015-0109 concerning fracture of the center bolt of fan gear assembly & all risks involved, but stating that parts are not available yet & a separate notice would be sent. Steps on my 2013 Coachmen Encounter started malfunctioning 2 weeks later!....shuttering/bouncing when going up or down. My local dealer contacted FR who said they're referring all to Lippert. I called Lippert & found out replacement parts will be available by Wed 2/3/16 & letters would be going out. When I asked if that would be solution to my shuttering/bouncing issue, tech said, "Oh....THAT'S a bad MOTOR issue! If you order a new motor, the campaign will STILL have to be performed on it." Per Lippert, new motor #163669 is $198.09. Sounds like I'm in for a long, painful battle!

busman587 · 03-11-2016, 11:33 AM

Mine broke last March, 2015 on my 2007 Georgetown 378 TS xl. Thought it was likely age related now I know better after seeing recall notice in FMCA magazine of Feb., 2016. I replaced it myself after luckily finding 2 in an RV parts store here in south Texas who had ordered them by mistake. Now to call FR.

bubbles · 03-11-2016, 11:49 AM

Got notified the kits are now available for the steps recall and have coordinated with my dealer. Should take about 1/2 hour to complete so the letter says. Don't know what the fix consists of and Lippert is handling the recall, at least on my Georgetown. I tried to get kit directly from Lippert and forest River but was unsuccessful. If dealer a long way away seems a bit much for 1/2 hour install.

fullenw · 03-12-2016, 07:40 AM

I have my 335 going in on the 28th to have the recall work done. I'm hoping all goes well.

ilmor · 03-12-2016, 10:27 AM

Guys & gals,

Is this the bolt??

Lippert Components RV Parts and Accessories|Steps for Towable and Motorized RV's

coachmen · 03-18-2016, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachmen

Thanks! I did receive "Interim Owner Notification" from FR re: Campaign Recall 51-11102015-0109 concerning fracture of the center bolt of fan gear assembly & all risks involved, but stating that parts are not available yet & a separate notice would be sent. Steps on my 2013 Coachmen Encounter started malfunctioning 2 weeks later!....shuttering/bouncing when going up or down. My local dealer contacted FR who said they're referring all to Lippert. I called Lippert & found out replacement parts will be available by Wed 2/3/16 & letters would be going out. When I asked if that would be solution to my shuttering/bouncing issue, tech said, "Oh....THAT'S a bad MOTOR issue! If you order a new motor, the campaign will STILL have to be performed on it." Per Lippert, new motor #163669 is $198.09. Sounds like I'm in for a long, painful battle!

Soo...it WAS motor assembly after all....not just fan gear center bolt recall. Total charge was $300+, but cost me the $50 deductible with extended warranty coverage from purchasing dealer (YES, amazingly, it was covered!). Now, time to hit the road & move on to the next issue.....whatever that may be!

louigi · 03-24-2016, 02:21 PM

what happen if it breaks on the road or in storage? Can't drive MH with the steps down and parts dangling? Do they have field service to fix at your site?

ilmor · 03-24-2016, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louigi

what happen if it breaks on the road or in storage? Can't drive MH with the steps down and parts dangling? Do they have field service to fix at your site?

Bungee cords?

VinceU · 03-24-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilmor

Bungee cords?

Having happened to me, steps loose and dangling, best temp fix is to wedge the steps up and tie with scrap piece of rope. Bungee cord cuts too easy and has no tension. I used about 4 wraps to prevent movement.

Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

coachmen · 03-24-2016, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louigi

what happen if it breaks on the road or in storage? Can't drive MH with the steps down and parts dangling? Do they have field service to fix at your site?

Hopefully I'm good to go now with new motor & all. If it fails again, I can crawl under, disconnect power plug, push steps up & tie in place until can repair/replace. Inconvenient but not impossible!

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