Peterson Fifth Wheel Trailers Recalled for Refrigerator Fire Risk
Peterson Industries is recalling certain fifth wheel trailers equipped with Norcold refrigerators because the safety shut-off mechanism may fail to prevent a fire from hydrogen gas leaks.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall addresses a fire hazard in a vehicle, which aligns with the rubric criterion for 'significant injury/property-damage reports' or structural/functional defects posing severe risk, warranting a score of 4.
Plain-English summary
Peterson Industries, Inc. is recalling certain fifth wheel trailers, including the Excel Limited, Excel Limited Edition, Excel Wild Cargo, and Excel Classic models, manufactured between 2001 and 2011. The recall involves 110 units equipped with 1200-series Norcold refrigerators.
The defect involves the safety mechanism designed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected, which is intended to prevent fires caused by potential hydrogen gas leaks. The response times of the sensing algorithm and thermal switch devices are not sufficient to stop power in time to prevent a fire.
Owners will be instructed to contact Norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. Peterson Industries is working with Norcold to identify and notify affected owners. The safety recall began on January 12, 2011. Owners may contact Norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or Peterson Industries at 1-785-282-6825.
The recalled product
- Product
- PETERSON EXCEL LIMITED, EXCEL LIMITED EDITION, EXCEL WILD CARGO, EXCEL CLASSIC
- Brand
- PETERSON
- Manufacturer
- PETERSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
- Hazard
- Affected units
- 110
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Model numbers (5)
- EXCEL LIMITED
- EXCEL LIMITED EDITION
- EXCEL WILD CARGO
- EXCEL CLASSIC
- CLASSIC
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same manufacturer · PETERSON INDUSTRIES, INC.
See all →- High
- SeverePeterson Recalls 2012 Excel Limited RVs for Brake Actuator Defect
NHTSA · 2012-03-05
- Severe
- SeverePeterson Recalls 2010-2011 Excel Motor Homes for Gas Leak Risk
NHTSA · 2010-09-28
Same hazard · fire
See all →- HighKibbi Recalls 2026-2027 Renegade RVs Due to Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2026-09-05
- SevereAmana Through-The-Wall Air Conditioners Recalled Due to Fire Risk
CPSC · 2026-09-03
- Severe
- High
- SevereTiffin Recalls 2026-2027 Wayfarer RVs Due to LP Tank Defects
NHTSA · 2026-08-31