The Recall Desk
Our severity:HighNHTSA·11V080000·Announced 2011-01-26

Marathon 2003 Motorhome Recalled for Refrigerator Fire Risk

Marathon Homes is recalling one 2003 Custom 2-Room motorhome because the Norcold refrigerator's safety shut-off system may not prevent a fire from a hydrogen gas leak.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a risk-of-harm product (fire hazard) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the 'High' severity criteria for products with potential for serious harm but no confirmed incidents.

Plain-English summary

Marathon Homes Corp. is recalling one 2003 model year Custom 2-Room motorhome equipped with a 1200-series Norcold refrigerator. The recall addresses a defect in the refrigerator's safety mechanisms, specifically the sensing algorithm or thermal switch designed to shut off power when high temperatures are detected.

The defect involves the response time of these safety devices. The source text states that the sensing algorithm or thermal switch may not shut off power in sufficient time to prevent a fire if a hydrogen gas leak causes high temperatures. This failure to respond quickly enough poses a potential fire hazard.

The safety recall began on February 15, 2011. Marathon is working with Norcold to identify and notify the affected owner. The owner will be instructed to contact a Norcold dealer to receive the remedy free of charge. Owners may also contact Norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
MARATHON CUSTOM 2- ROOM
Brand
MARATHON
Manufacturer
MARATHON HOMES CORP.
Category
Vehicle — Motorhome
Hazard
Affected units
1

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 (1)

  • CUSTOM 2- ROOM

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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