Jayco Recall for Improper Electrical Connection

[Rob_Fla]

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Jayco, Inc. is recalling 908 model year 2007 Greyhawk Class C motorhomes; model year 2008 and 2010 Seneca Class C motorhomes; model year 2009 and 2011 Eagle Fifth-wheel; 2010 Recon fifth-wheel; and model year 2008-2010 Designer fifth wheel vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2006, through Aug. 13, 2010 for an improper electrical connection at the buss bar on the Iota-brand transfer switches installed in the vehicles.

An improper electrical connection at the buss bar could lead to overheating and melting of the transfer switch, increasing the risk of a fire, injury or death.

Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer switch, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during Aug. 2012. Owners may contact Jayco at 1.800.283.8267.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1.888.327.4236 (TTY 1.800.424.9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

SOURCE: NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

[Larry G.]

Thanks Rob....owners take notice.

[STELLARJAY]

Does anyone have a photo of this transfer switch or the bus bar/connection in question?

[edatlanta]

Thanks Rob. It is about time. My IOTA Transfer Switch burned in March 2012. Jayco did replace it with another brand since IOTA no longer makes transfer switches.

I was watching tv and smelled wires burning in the middle of the afternoon. a/c was not even on so not much electrical load was present when it happened.

Here is a picture of the inside of the switch. Note the burned wires on the right side of the buss bar.

[MikeNChelle]

Where is this located in the coach?

[edatlanta]

Mine is located in the basement, under the steps up to the bedroom.

[northmeck0255]

We nearly had a fire in our camper from this. Had the xfer switch replaced and also installed an inline surge protector.

[Grumpy]

It was not only JAYCO, but also KEYSTONE and MONACO just to name a few. It was an internal problem and had nothing to do with the way JAYCO wired them. It normally manifested itself on the "red wire" connection.

[Mike and Rose]

My 2008 Greyhawk 31SS was recalled. Just took it to the dealer and they changed the switch.

[Vern-atts]

We own a 2011 Pinnacle 36REQS and experienced a "burning/melting plastic smell" when in the Otter Banks in August 2013. After reducing power usage to a bare minimum, discovered that the Transfer switch was extremely hot. The smell dissipated and we returned home. After getting full access to the switch discovered that the ground and neutrals were scorched and the wire insulation was melted and red hot was scorched. Trailer was 1 month out of warranty-returned trailer to dealer-Jayco covered replacement of the switch and all associated costs. I'll be checking connections on a regular basis. I use a surge protector when camping. Trailer is also equipped with a 5500 Onan generator. Transfer switch is located in storage behind installed petition under the steps. Steps contain vented wood covers on the front of each steps--thus how the smell entered coach.

[Grumpy]

Which brand transfer switch did you have IONA (plastic case) or another brand?

[Tbukit22]

My 2008 designer transfer switch went up in smoke in 2013. Along with the switch it took out my external radio and my water heater. I am hoping it's the circuit board as it will not work on propane or electric. Jayco did not stand behind the iota switch or anything that went up in smoke with it.

[Motoman]

Where is the iota located in the 2014 Jayco RLS TRAVEL TRAILER

[edatlanta]

IOTA no longer makes transfer switches. They ceased production shortly before this recall.

[Schmidty]

For some strange reason, the Camping World in Texas, where we bought our new 2011, Jayco Greyhawk, did not register our ownership with Jayco, so we did not find out the Iota 30-RL Trsnsfer switch was recalled until two days ago, when it completely burned up under our bed!
Does anyone know what new brand of 30A Transfer Switch is being used by Jayco dealers to complete the recall? I read that Iota does not make them anymore. I wouln't want it anyway.
I got nowhere with Jayco itself, and was simply referred to 'certified Jayco Dealers', two of which have Service Managers who have failed to return my calls for two day.

[Grumpy]

The one that was used in our 08 SENECA was a TRC, but that was a 50 amp not sure if that is what they used for the 30 amp coaches or not.

You probably didn't get the recall since 2011's were not on the list and that is probably why they are referring you back to a dealer. That would also be what you would have to do for the recall anyway. I would just make an appointment to get it fixed and have the dealer work it out with JAYCO.

[edatlanta]

I had the IOTA 50 amp and it burned prior to the recall. It was replaced by Jayco with a Progressive Dyamics PD52 which also burned. My latest PD52 has been working fine since install and it was done under warranty also. I'm seriously thinking about putting a 100 amp unit in when this one fails and it is on my dime.

I full time and I'm not convinced these units are designed for continuous use 24/7/365. The heat seems to finally get to them.

[Laplata620]

I purchased my 08 Seneca used. Is there a way to find out if the recall was performed on my MH?
Thanks
Jay
2008 Seneca 36FS

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Laplata620

I purchased my 08 Seneca used. Is there a way to find out if the recall was performed on my MH?
Thanks
Jay
2008 Seneca 36FS

The best way would be to look at the transfer swtich. If it's still an IOTA then it wasn't.

[Laplata620]

So, I checked the transfer switch and it is a IOTA (In a plastic case). I then called Jayco, and they told me that my 2008 Seneca wasn't part of the recall (????). So I pressed further and asked what specific IOTA Transfer Swithc did they replace? He didn't know, but as a courtesy offered to send me a new Transfer Switch...for free. He specified that I would have to pay to have it installed because it wasn't part of the recall. (????) I went on SafeCar.gov and found the recall:

Report Receipt Date: JUL 23, 2012
NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V347000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All Products Associated with this Recall expand
Details close
10 Associated Documents close
Manufacturer: JAYCO, INC.
SUMMARY:
Jayco is recalling certain model year 2007 Greyhawk Class C motorhomes; model year 2008 and 2010 Seneca Class C motorhomes; model year 2009 and 2011 Eagle Fifth-wheel; 2010 Recon fifth-wheel; and model year 2008-2010 Designer fifth wheel vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2006, through August 13, 2010 for an improper electrical connection at the buss bar on the Iota-brand transfer switches installed in the vehicles.
CONSEQUENCE:
An improper electrical connection at the buss bar could lead to overheating and melting of the transfer switch, increasing the risk of a fire, injury or death.
REMEDY:
Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transfer switch, free of charge. The safety recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Jayco at 1-800-283-8267.
NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

I have a 2008 Seneca with and IOTA Transfer Switch. I don't understand why my MH isn't included in this.
I also asked if my MH was part of any recall, he said "no". Then I saw this recall:

Report Receipt Date: MAY 07, 2008
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V209000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
All Products Associated with this Recall expand
Details close
13 Associated Documents expand
Manufacturer: JAYCO, INC.
SUMMARY:
JAYCO IS RECALLING 1,673 MY 2005-2008 SENECA MOTOR HOMES. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR IF THE BATTERY CABLES WERE NOT TUCKED INTO THE COMPARTMENT IN A MANNER THAT DOES NOT ALLOW THE CABLES TO BE PINCHED BETWEEN THE BATTERY SLIDE TRAY AND THE COMPARTMENT DOOR.
CONSEQUENCE:
IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT ADDRESSED, IT MAY RESULT IN A FIRE, INJURY OR DEATH.
REMEDY:
DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE BATTERY CABLES TO THE REAR BATTERY AND REPOSITION A CLAMP TO PREVENT PINCHING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 26, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT JAYCO AT 1-574-825-5861.
NOTES:
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

How am I supposed to know if any of this recall work was performed on my MH?
UGH!
Jay
2008 Seneca 36FS
2000 Gulfstream Conquest