VehicleVerdict

2003 Damon Challenger problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2003 Damon Challenger — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Challenger years?

Challenger NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Challenger years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Damon Challenger problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other229%
Visibility & Wipers229%
Brakes114%
Fuel System114%
Body & Structure114%

Does the 2003 Damon Challenger have recalls?

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

09V225000BrakesJune 16, 2009 · 2,415 units

Defect

DAMON IS RECALLING 2,415 MOTORHOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG.

Consequence

THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY AND OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.

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.

06V132000Electrical SystemApril 24, 2006 · 1,705 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.

Consequence

AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DAMON IS WORKING WITH WORKHORSE TO CONTACT THE OWNERS AND REMEDY THIS CAMPAIGN . WORKHORSE WILL REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR DAMON AT 1-800-860-3812.

03V080000BrakesMarch 5, 2003 · 2,656 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY STANDARD.

Consequence

IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP CIRCUIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS BEGAN MAY 12, 2003. 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 DAMON AT 1-219-272-9212.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“PASSENGER SIDE REAR SPRING SHACKEL RUBBED AGAINST THE MOTORHOMES PROPANE TANK. DEALER PAID FOR ADJUSTMENT TO PROPANE TANK HOLDING STRAP. *TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 29, 2003

“THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUN VISORS ON THE MOTOR HOME. WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER HAD TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AND STAND UP TO REACH THE SUNVISOR. ONCE THE VISOR WAS PULLED DOWN IT WAS TOO SHORT TO BLOCK THE GLARE OF THE SUN AND AS A RESULT THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE WHILE DRIVING. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers

“STALLING WHEN IT RAINS. IT SEEMS THAT THE AIR FILTER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. WHEN IT RAINS THE FRONT TIRE KICKS UP WATER IN THE AIR FILTER HOUSING SOAKING THE AIR FILTER CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT RUNNING. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS HARD. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE FILTER IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 18, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON CHALLENGER, WORKHORSE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE (SEE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V225000, NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016, COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DEALER.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 20, 2010

“INSIDE COMPARTMENT DOORS DON'T HAVE SUPPORT, THIS IS SAFETY A SAFETY ISSUE THEY WERE NOT WELL DESIGNED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 17, 2003

2003 Damon Challenger — common questions

Is the 2003 Damon Challenger reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2003 Damon Challenger have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Damon Challenger. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.