TPMS Issues - Gen 1 -- NHTSA Recall Campaign

[redbaron]

Since taking ownership of my 2022 London Aire, I have been plagued by random failures of the TPMS. I have read the many reports online regarding this, and I followed the procedures everyone had posted.

I had 5 separate trips to NIRVC to have the TPMS worked on, and each time a random failure would continue to occur.

The first attempt at fixing the problem was installing a 2nd antenna. The subsequent attempts where moving the antenna around, pointing to various areas of the coach. On 10/4/2022 NIRVC made the call that it is pointless to keep trying, and referred me to Spartan.

Going into this, I knew this would be the outcome, but I had to keep pressing the issue until NIRVC had made every attempt to repair. In my opinion, they put more effort into this than required.

Armed with the data to support the equipment failure, I contacted Spartan Customer service and spoke with Dave. He took my information and put it into an escalation file of those owners that have had the repair attempts. He indicated that he is well aware of the issue, and there is no plan to repair the problem...but they are "working on it"....which is code for "go away, we don't want to deal with you".

That call was logged in my journal, and then I called my Newmar window rep. As expected, the call was routed to the main line (why even have a special number if you never answer it?) and a normal customer service rep answered.

I know this will shock many of you--but after he delivered the company line "I have never heard of this before"...he actually did say "Well, I have heard of it many times, but I thought there was a fix".

The result, is another documented call with Newmar for this problem in my journal as well as in the journal of Newmar.

After calling Newmar, I contacted Spartan Lync corp support, and left a voicemail. I then contacted the USA RV Support Specialist in Michigan:

Derek Stewart Phone: 734-634-3278
Email: [email protected]
RV Customer Support

I left him a voicemail as well.

After following the above procedure, I proceeded to open a case with the NHTSA. For those that have followed my posts, you will remember that in 2019 I did a similar campaign for the Freightliner dash lights that resulted in a recall after 18 months.

I would like to solicit the RV Forums community to come together to get a solution to this problem. The more complaints we can solicit in a quick manner will escalate this with the NHTSA.

Some general guidelines:

#1 -- USE YOUR OWN WORDS -- Do not copy / paste text from others. This will be quickly dismissed as a robot or spam, and may put the entire campaign in jeopardy.
#2 - Be clear on your repair efforts and symptoms. My symptoms are random, so I stated that. My symptoms only occur while driving, so I stated that. Whatever your symptoms are, be sure to be as clear as possible.
#3 - Contact Spartan Chassis @ 800-543-4277 x1 and provide your vin number and get on the list for escalations **BEFORE** you create the NHTSA report. This way you can include details of your conversations with repair and Spartan in your report
#4 - Contact SpartanLync at the number provided above to lodge a complaint. This will put pressure on the supplier
#5 - Contact Newmar customer service and lodge a complaint. This step will again put pressure on the supplier.


To file the NHTSA complaint, go to this url:


Report a Safety Problem | NHTSA



After you input your vin #, it will ask you to select the failed component.

Select Wheels as this includes Sensors.

The rest of the form should be completed in your own words with your own information. We know the NHTSA does not move fast, so the concentrated effort on the entire supply chain will help put this through. I have experience with this, both in the RV industry and other industries--I guarantee you that this will work if we all register our complaints.

I am posting this here in the Newmar forum, but this applies to anyone with a Freightliner or Spartan Chassis and Gen 1 TPMS sensors from SpartanLync. Please share with your friends and others that may not be on this forum.

 

[FL-JOE]

Dang, after all that I think I would have abandoned that system, or had it removed and just purchased a TST TPMS to use.

 

[Neemer]

Dang, after all that I think I would have abandoned that system, or had it removed and just purchased a TST TPMS to use.

That’s exactly what I did.

 

[DavidL]

What are the symptoms of your TPMS issue? One or two sensors not reporting? Same ones each time? All sensors not reporting? Wrong / inaccurate data? Has all sensors ever worked correctly? Sensors on Toad? Which sensors not reporting?
I assume your sensors are in the tire and not screwed to the valve? If screwed - flow thru or cap style?

 

[redbaron]

Dang, after all that I think I would have abandoned that system, or had it removed and just purchased a TST TPMS to use.

Then how will the manufacturer be held accountable?

I am not the type to allow someone to get away with inferior products. I will hold people accountable.

I realize that I am in the minority, as most people tend to let defects slide.

Frankly, that is why the industry is as bad as it is. Too many people not willing to call out poor quality and take 30 minutes to apply pressure.

That's all it takes...is 30 minutes at most to follow every step outlined.

I am hoping that a few more will read how easy it is and will take the time to put pressure on the manufacturers and demand a quality , safe, operating tpms system.

I spent a lot more time outlining the process to make it easier.

As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink.

 

[redbaron]

What are the symptoms of your TPMS issue? One or two sensors not reporting? Same ones each time? All sensors not reporting? Wrong / inaccurate data? Has all sensors ever worked correctly? Sensors on Toad? Which sensors not reporting?
I assume your sensors are in the tire and not screwed to the valve? If screwed - flow thru or cap style?

All 12 sensors will work for up to 1 hour. Then randomly 1 or 2 will alert that they are missing. This missing data can go as long as 1 hour or as short as 2 minutes.

Sometimes they fail within 10 min, other times longer. Very random.

Watching the can bus, the data is very erratic.

The root issue is radio interference. The gen3 uses a different frequency and does not have the same problem.

 

[DavidL]

When you say CAN data is erratic...meaning sensors come and go? Or bad data from any one sensor?
Sure sounds like RF issues. But double checking to see if it's RF or CAN communications.
Is it the location of the tire that has the largest issue? ie: Tag can't see the antenna? Have you / they tried rotating and relearning the sensors to isolate one sensor vs. another?

RF issues would typically be affecting one / two sensors that are furthest from antenna or closest to RF noise source that is corrupting the RF.

Basics: Batteries good? One would think so on a '22.

If you are going down the formal path of NHTSA, than "someone" needs to isolate where the issue is for accountability. To you it should be Newmar as the OEM. But for a Fix, more toubleshooting info is needed. Could be antenna placement (my guess). Doubt it's CAN unless there is a bad connection at the TPMS receiver causing irregular noise. But that should not affect loosing particular sensors, just bad data from random sensors.

How do you know "Gen3" doesn't have the problem? Did you try a Gen3 system on your coach? On your CAN bus? Gen3 of SpartanLinc?

I started playing with TPMS integration on the HOOTS rally...your post got me digging into my boxes of parts to clean up my mishmosh of different sensors that I found on mine (previous testing attempts).

 

[Neal]

If you experience a Girard uncommanded deploy, I sure would like to see this reported as well. When will that ever be fixed? Perfect example of non reporting result.

 

[ARD]

The root issue is radio interference. The gen3 uses a different frequency and does not have the same problem.

I'm not having any trouble with my TPMS since they put in the 2nd antenna; however, all the radio interference does impact the Girard Awning console in the Driver's OH cabinet and it often won't run both awnings at same time.

 

[Rich W.]

Dang, after all that I think I would have abandoned that system, or had it removed and just purchased a TST TPMS to use.

I would do both. Install an auxiliary TPMS for peace of mind, and file a NHTSA complaint for satisfaction. Just like the DEF debacle. I learned the system and equipped myself accordingly to keep from being stranded (never again!) and avoid a tow, but filed the complaint because the situation is inexcusable. Not that the NHTSA or anyone else involved cared because it was a government initiated problem, but at least I voiced my opinion.

 

[Rich W.]

Also I chose EEZTire as much for its flat back for mounting as anything (used VHB tape to mount it on the left lower dash) and it works just fine. Cheaper than some of the others although I needed the repeater for a 35’ coach for reliability, but I’m satisfied.

https://eezrvproducts.com/

 

[ARD]

Also I chose EEZTire

I use the EEZ TPMS as well. I have the old monitor and want to upgrade to the new color one. Do you have it and/or like it? Thanks.

 

[Neal]

Let's keep thread on track please. Start a new thread as needed.

 

[ARD]

Ooops, sorry @redbaron. Thanks @Neal for the warning.

 

[redbaron]

Updated 12 Days after Initial Filing:

Today I received a phone call from Newmar. NHTSA submitted my name and the fact that I had a filing with the NHTSA regarding a safety issue. This is the first stage of an investigation.

I provided newmar with the details of the complaint and all of the information I provided to the NHTSA.

This campaign is tracking much faster than the campaign I started in 2013 for the dash lights. That campaign took over 18 months before Newmar was contacted and reached out to me.

If you are having a problem with your OEM NEWMAR TPMS, even if you have an aftermarket system (as you should for now)..you need to let the NHTSA know!!

Newmar is now aware of the problem as of 2:00pm CST today 10/17/2022. Lets make sure they understand how big this problem is.

 

[SteveMA]

RB - any update on this effort? I have heard nothing. My 2020 Mountain Aire has had the antenna moved, 6-8 reprograming attempts, often on the same day. Firmware upgrade at least once. Random sensors will not report, and what does report changes by the minute/hour/day. Have never seen all 8 sensors on the coach working at once for more than a few minutes. After last antenna move, the tag axle reports, but the outer drive wheels are blank 75% of the time. It is so wonderful to have a warning on the dash almost all the time... makes the driver learn to ignore warnings.....

 

[redbaron]

Crickets...last time it took 13 months, so it's still early. More people reporting will help push it thru the system, but it does take time.

 

[SteveMA]

Understood.

 

[Stuart W]

What generation was used in your 2022?

 

[DavidL]

Who is the manufacturer of the TPMS system of concern?
Are these TPMS sensors in tire mounted or stem mounted? Flow thru or cap type?
We are integrating with TireView and TSTechnology branded TPMS hardware.
Is there a repeater in the Newmar spec'd system?
Is it CAN or RV-C protocol?
BTW, we now have both CAN and RV-C TPMS integration working nicely in myServer 6 control system.