RV industry supplier Dometic USA announced that it has identified a potential condition related to its 9100 Power Awnings, Weatherpro Awnings and Motor Service Kits, and has initiated a recall and replacement of all the affected power awning units.
In April 2013, the company determined that if an important step was bypassed in the installation of the power awnings, this could potentially damage the awning’s motor. As a result, if damage does occur to the motor, the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, while the coach or vehicle is at rest or in transit.
This potential condition affects only the power awning products manufactured between Feb. 13, 2013, (306XXXXX serial #) and April 9, 2013, (314XXXXX serial #). The serial number appears on a label on the right underside of the fabric and on the roller tube. On the power awning field Motor Service Kit the serial number appears on the end cap of the shipping tube.
On April 19, 2013, Dometic notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a NHTSA campaign number of 13E-019 has been assigned. All RV manufacturers which purchased power awning units included in the recall are also expected to issue notification to NHTSA per federal regulations.
Once Dometic investigated early reports in April, the company was able to reproduce a failure mode only after changing the sequence of installation steps in the power awning installation process. After this discovery, the company notified its extensive OEM and dealer base of the problem and provided specific instructions on how to handle it and secure a replacement unit.
Dometic has identified 27,098 affected units and started replacing units with new awning motor kits even before the official recall notice was issued. The company has advised its OEMs and aftermarket dealers to call a toll-free number at 888-943-4905 for specific replacement instructions. End-user customers are still being notified directly by the company’s dealers.
Dometic has also told its aftermarket dealers to instruct their end-user customers not to drive their RVs if the recalled power awnings have been installed on their vehicles. End-user customers who believe their RV may be affected by this recall can obtain specific instructions on how to make the determination or obtain repair by calling the toll—free number at 888-943-4905.
