VehicleVerdict

2005 Damon Daybreak problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2005 Damon Daybreak — 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 Daybreak years?

Daybreak NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted7 complaints1997: 2 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 3 complaints2000: 5 complaints2001: 3 complaints2002: 7 complaints2003: 5 complaints2004: 6 complaints2005: 2 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 5 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 0 complaints
Daybreak NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Daybreak years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Damon Daybreak problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering150%
Suspension150%

Does the 2005 Damon Daybreak have recalls?

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

08V534000OtherOctober 9, 2008 · 4,677 units

Defect

DAMON IS RECALLING 4,677 MY 2004-2006 CHALLENGER, DAYBREAK, INTRUDER, MY 2004-2005 ESCAPER, ULTRASPORT, AND MY 2005 ASTORIA AND ASTORIA WALDORF 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

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 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 DAMON AT

06V451000EngineNovember 28, 2006 · 1,517 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GM 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy

CHEVROLET AND WORKHORSE ARE HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225 AND 06V289). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773, OR DAMON AT 1-574-264-5517.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DAMON DAYBREAK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DOWNHILL OR ON ROUGH LEVEL PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE MOVES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WITH SEVERE SHAKING. THE CONTACT BELIEVES HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT THE FAILURE IS WITH THE STEERING OR THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 17, 2007

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DAMON DAYBREAK. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DOWNHILL OR ON ROUGH LEVEL PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE MOVES FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WITH SEVERE SHAKING. THE CONTACT BELIEVES HE WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THAT THE FAILURE IS WITH THE STEERING OR THE BRAKES. THE DEALER STATED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 17, 2007

2005 Damon Daybreak — common questions

Is the 2005 Damon Daybreak 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 Damon Daybreak have recalls?

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

Which Damon Daybreak years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Daybreak years to avoid are 1999, 1998. The cleanest record among Daybreak years belongs to 2011.

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.