VehicleVerdict

2005 Airstream Safari problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2005 Airstream Safari — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Safari years?

Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted2 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 0 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 1 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints
Safari NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Safari years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Airstream Safari problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes150%
Tires & Wheels150%

Does the 2005 Airstream Safari have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V159000LightingMay 15, 2009 · 2,052 units

Defect

AIRSTREAM IS RECALLING 2,052 MY 2002-2009 BAMBI, INTERNATIONAL, SAFARI, 75TH ANNIVERSARY, DWR, AND OCEAN BREEZE TRAVEL TRAILERS FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THE TRAVEL TRAILERS WERE BUILT WITHOUT REAR REFLEX REFLECTORS.

Consequence

INADEQUATE LIGHTING COULD REDUCE VISIBILITY OF VEHICLE INCREASE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CRASH.

Remedy

AIRSTREAM WILL SEND DEALERS SEPARATE REFLECTORS TO THE AFFECTED CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER INSTALLATION. CUSTOMERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF INSTALLING THE REFLECTORS OR TAKING THE TRAVEL TRAILER TO THE NEAREST AIRSTREAM CERTIFIED DEALERS. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 15, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 1-937-596-6849.

08V367000OtherJuly 21, 2008 · 4,450 units

Defect

AIRSTREAM IS RECALLING 4,450 MY 2004-2007 SAFARI, INTERNATIONAL, INTERSTATE, LAND YACHT, CLASSIC, MY 2004-2006 SKYDECK, AND MY 2006 PARKWAY TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence

IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

AIRSTREAM IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST THE OWNER IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR AIRSTREAM AT 1-937-596-6111.

04V506000SuspensionOctober 25, 2004 · 929 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE OUTER WHEEL BEARING IN THE HUB OF THE AXLE MAY FAIL, LEADING TO UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL FROM THE AXLE. THIS FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO AN INADEQUATE AMOUNT OF GREASE IN THE HUB ASSEMBLY OR THE GREASE IN THE HUB MAY BREAK DOWN UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS INTO A LIQUID THAT INADEQUATELY LUBRICATES THE OUTER BEARING. INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE OUTER BEARING CAN BEGIN A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT COULD LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF ONE OR MORE WHEELS FROM THE TRAILER COULD CAUSE THE TRAILER TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY OR GO OUT OF CONTROL. A LOST WHEEL COULD ALSO STRIKE AN ONCOMING OR FOLLOWING VEHICLE CAUSING A CRASH, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OF DEATH TO THOSE INVOLVED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE UNIT AND REMOVE THE WHEELS, INSPECT THE HUBS, INNER AND OUTER BEARINGS, RACES AND GREASE SEALS. IF NECESSARY, REPLACE PARTS AND REPACK THE WHEEL BEARING WITH HIGH TEMPERATURE GREASE AND REINSTALL THE HUB AND WHEELS. THE RECALL BEGAN NOVEMBER 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AIRSTREAM AT 1-877-596-6505.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ON FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2005, WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH CHICAGO, OUR AIRSTREAM TRAVEL TRAILER BRAKES BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY LOCKING WHILE BRAKING. LATER, WHILE DRIVING SOUTH ON I-57, BREAK CONTROLLER BEGAN PERIODICALLY REPORTING AN OPEN CIRCUIT AND WHEN THE BREAKS WERE APPLIED, THE CONTROLLER REPORTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 17, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AIRSTREAM SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON BOTH REAR TIRES IS SEPARATING. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES ARE 30.5 INCHES HIGH IN DIAMETER, WHEN THEY SHOULD BE 28.5 INCHES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE, WHICH WAS A SPARE, FAILED AT 2,500 MILES AND THE DRIVER SIDE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 8, 2007

2005 Airstream Safari — common questions

Is the 2005 Airstream Safari reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Airstream Safari have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Airstream Safari. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.