VehicleVerdict

2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 3 complaints on file for the 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador — 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.

3

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Ambassador years?

Ambassador NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted27 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 0 complaints2000: 16 complaints2001: 17 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 27 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 2 complaints2007: 2 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 3 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 1 complaints
Ambassador NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Ambassador years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes267%
Other133%

Does the 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador have recalls?

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

05V053000SuspensionFebruary 14, 2005 · 2,827 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, THE SPACER PLATE UNDER THE TRAILING ARMS HAD A TRANSVERSE WELD WHICH CREATES A HEAT RISER AND CAUSE THE TRAILING ARMS TO CRACK.

Consequence

THIS COULD CREATE ROUGH DRIVING CONDITIONS AND DAMAGE TO REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE MOTORHOME AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REPLACE THE TRAILING ARMS FOR CRACKS AND REPLACING THE TRAILING ARMS AND U-BOLTS IN THE REAR SUSPENSION OF THE MOTORHOMES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

04V038000SuspensionJanuary 28, 2004 · 2,156 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE I-BEAM LEAF IMITATOR IN THE FRONT AXLE SUSPENSION COULD CRACK AND BREAK DUE TO AN INADEQUATE WELDING PROCESS.

Consequence

THE I-BEAMS ON THE FRONT AXLE AND THE PANARD BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE COULD CRACK AND BREAK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL I-BEAM. ALSO, DEALERS WILL WELD THE STIFFENERS FROM THE PANARD BAR BRACKET TO THE CENTER DIFFERENTIAL OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-877-466-6226.

02V278000BrakesOctober 22, 2002 · 8,581 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES THAT CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC DETERIORATION OF THE WHEEL END COMPONENTS SUCH AS BEARINGS, RACES, SPINDLES, KNUCKLES, SEALS, HUBS, ROTORS, PATCH BOLTS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL, AND/OR THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS FOR CORROSION AND REPLACE OR REBUILD THE CALIPERS AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

01V256000SteeringAugust 15, 2001 · 98 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A UNIT IS AFFECTED IF THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS FULLY COMPRESSED OR IS TOO SHORT TO MEET MAXIMUM EXTENSION SPECIFICATIONS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND/OR REPLACE THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 13, 2001. 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 MONACO AT 1-800-685-6545.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO IDENTIFIED AND REMEDIED OPEN RECALL 02V278000. DEALER REPAIRED REAR BRAKES. RECALL DID NOT IDENTIFY SPECIFIC REMEDY VIA ARTEMIS OR NHTSA WEB SITE. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WHY DEALER DID NOT REMEDY RECALL BEFORE SELLING VEHICLE, AND WHETHER REMEDY APPLIED TO FRONT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 23, 2003

2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador — common questions

Is the 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador reliable?

The record is thin — 3 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Holiday Rambler Ambassador. 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.