1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 6 complaints on file for the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial — 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.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Imperial years?

Imperial NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Imperial years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Brakes	2	33%	▲ up
Electrical System	1	17%	new
Fuel System	1	17%	new
Speed Control	1	17%	new
Transmission	1	17%	new

Does the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial have recalls?

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

03V166000OtherMay 8, 2003

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, FIFTH WHEELS AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 1200LR AND 1200RIM, THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE LIQUID SOLUTION SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE SEALED, PRESSURIZED COOLING UNIT THROUGH A SMALL CRACK.

Consequence

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUALLY OPERATED, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COOLING UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. 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 1-800-667-3005 OR MONACO AT 574-862-7211.

03V128000OtherApril 7, 2003 · 125 units

Defect

CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL AND TRAVEL TRAILERS' FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABELS ARE INCORRECT. THE TIRE INFLATION IS LISTED AS 60 PSI WHEN THE CORRECT SHOULD BE 80 PSI. IN ADDITION, THE AXLE WEIGHT RATING IS INCORRECT ON CERTAIN 1998 IMPERIAL TRAVEL TRAILERS. THE LABEL SHOWS 6000 LBS. WHEN THE CORRECT RATING SHOULD BE 5200 LBS.

Consequence

THIS INCORRECT INFORMATION COULD LEAD TO UNDER/OVER INFLATED TIRES AND COULD CAUSE OR CONTRIBUTE TO PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN BLOWOUT OR OTHER FAILURE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE UNIT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL ON THE UNITS INVOLVED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT MONACO AT 1-877-466-6226.

98V232000Fuel SystemSeptember 18, 1998 · 398 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A ROADMASTER CHASSIS. INADEQUATE BRACING WAS USED TO SECURE THE FUEL TANK. THE BRACE COULD FAIL ALLOWING ONE END OF THE FUEL TANK TO LOOSEN FROM ITS POSITION AND HANG LOWER THAN THE OTHER END.

Consequence

THE FUEL TANK COULD EVENTUALLY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND DROP TO THE GROUND, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL BRACE UNDER THE FUEL TANK.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMERS FOOT GOT CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKE IN AN EMERGENCY-BRAKING SITUATION, THE PEDAL IS INSTALLED 4" HIGHER THAN THE FUEL PEDAL AND 4 " TO THE LEFT OF THE FUEL PEDAL WHICH ALLOWS THE FOOT TO GET CAUGHT UNDER THE AIR BRAKE PEDAL. NLM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

“THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT PARALLELS THE FRAME AT THE ENGINE CAME LOOSE AND FELL DOWN ON THE EXHAUST PIPE AND HAS HEAT DAMAGE. NLM”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System

“INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE UNIT WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · August 26, 2004

“INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE UNIT WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 26, 2004

“INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 85 MPH. THE CONSUMER DISCONNECTED THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE UNIT WHICH WAS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK WHEN THE THROTTLE FAILED THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 26, 2004

1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial — common questions

Is the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial reliable?

The record is thin — 6 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 1998 compare to other Imperial years?

What are the most common 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial problems?

Does the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial — common questions

Is the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial reliable?

Does the 1998 Holiday Rambler Imperial have recalls?

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