The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·10V612000·Announced 2010-12-08

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

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. 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.
Category
Vehicle — Recreational Vehicle / Trailer
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.

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