VehicleVerdict

1999 Damon Challenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 1999 Damon Challenger carries two red flags at once: 7 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 3.5× the Challenger norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER). It is one of the Challenger years to avoid.

7

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Challenger years?

Challenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted10 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 0 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 4 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 10 complaints1999: 7 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 1 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 7 complaints2004: 2 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 4 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 4 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 0 complaints
Challenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Challenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Damon Challenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes457%
Speed Control114%
Suspension114%
Transmission114%

Does the 1999 Damon Challenger have recalls?

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

07V130000OtherMarch 20, 2007 · 25,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS AND MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, 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

RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DAMON WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). 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 YOU 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 DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.

01V091002OtherMarch 20, 2001 · 923 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS N841, N821, N641, AND N621. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A COOLING SYSTEM LEAK CAUSED BY OPERATION IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE. IF A LEAK OCCURS, THE COOLING PERFORMANCE OF THE REFRIGERATOR WILL DETERIORATE, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OF THE COOLING UNIT.

Consequence

EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT IN THE AC ELECTRIC MODE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

NORCOLD WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS. NORCOLD WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER NOTIFICATION. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101 OR DAMON AT 1-937-497-3080.

99V202000Electrical SystemJuly 23, 1999 · 1,767 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A GENERATOR MUFFLER STRAP WAS OMITTED DURING THE INSTALLATION PROCESS.

Consequence

THE MUFFLER AND EXHAUST TAIL PIPE CAN VIBRATE LOOSE, POSSIBLY DETACHING FROM THE UNIT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MUFFLER STRAP.

Open NHTSA investigations

SQ99013

OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER

THIS INVESTIGATION IS OPENED TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM.HISTORICALLY, PROBLEMS THAT WOULD ALLOW VEHICLE COMPONENTS TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY CONDUCTING SAFETY RECALLS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, BRAKES LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT RELEASE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CONSUMER HAD TO GET UNDER VEHICLE TO REMOVE A CLEVIS PIN FROM THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE, THE CABLE WAS UNDER PRESSURE. *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · May 28, 2001

“ON A FORD CHASSIS; WHILE DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR RAILROAD TRACKS, MOTORHOME IS DRAGGING THE REAR GAS TANK WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE A LEAK/FIRE. FORD INDICATES THERE IS TOO MUCH OVERLOAD ON MOTORHOME. FRONT UNIT WAS DESIGNED TO HOLD 7,000 LBS, AND THE REAR END 11,000 LBS. BUT WHEN GAS TANK IS FILLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 1, 1999

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 DAMON CHALLENGER. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #07V336000) IN SEPTEMBER 2007. THE DEALER INITIALLY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER HOWEVER; IN DECEMBER, THEY STATED THAT THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 5, 2007

“FORD CHASSIS FOR MOTOR HOMES ARE FOR 11000 GVWR OR 13000 GVWR, AND CONSUMER SHOULD BE ABLE TO CARRY STUFF ON VEHICLE. A COMPANY BY THE NAME OF "A WEIGHT WE GO" SAID THAT FRONT AXLE WEIGHED IN AT THE CORRECT WEIGHT, BUT REAR AXLE CAME IN OVER THE WEIGHT LIMIT. CONSUMER FEELS MANUFACTURER USES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 4, 1999

1999 Damon Challenger — common questions

Is the 1999 Damon Challenger reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 7 complaints put the 1999 model at #2 of 21 Challenger years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Challenger years to avoid.

Does the 1999 Damon Challenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Damon Challenger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Damon Challenger under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (OMITTED EXHAUST HANGER). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Damon Challenger years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Challenger years to avoid are 1998, 1999. The cleanest record among Challenger years belongs to 2012.

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.