2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador recalls and problems

The 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador has 5 safety recalls and 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Holiday Rambler dealer.

Recalls
5
Complaints
18
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador recalls

Recall 08V-257: Equipment

Reported Jun 5, 2008 · 8,587 vehicles affected · MONACO COACH CORPORATION

Problem: Monaco is recalling certain motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerators. A fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak.

Risk: Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit could lead to a fire from gas which might escape.

Fix: Monaco is working with norcold to repair these refrigerators. Norcold will provide thermal switch kits to owners along with the necessary forms and instructions. The recall began on august 29, 2008. Owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Recall 05V-053: Suspension

Reported Feb 14, 2005 · 2,827 vehicles affected · MONACO COACH CORPORATION

Problem: On certain class a motor homes, the spacer plate under the trailing arms had a transverse weld which creates a heat riser and cause the trailing arms to crack.

Risk: This could create rough driving conditions and damage to rear suspension system. The driver could loose control of the motorhome and a crash could occur without prior notice.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the replace the trailing arms for cracks and replacing the trailing arms and u-bolts in the rear suspension of the motorhomes free of charge. The recall began on march 29, 2005. Owners may contact monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Recall 04V-038: Suspension

Reported Jan 28, 2004 · 2,156 vehicles affected · MONACO COACH CORPORATION

Problem: On certain motorhomes, the I-beam leaf imitator in the front axle suspension could crack and break due to an inadequate welding process.

Risk: The I-beams on the front axle and the panard bracket on the rear axle could crack and break causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the original I-beam. Also, dealers will weld the stiffeners from the panard bar bracket to the center differential of the rear axle housing. Owner notification began march 1, 2004. Owners should contact monaco at 1-877-466-6226.

Recall 03V-267: Electrical System

Reported Jul 28, 2003 · 135 vehicles affected · MONACO COACH CORP.

Problem: On certain motor homes, the battery cable that is attached to the circuit breaker is routed too close to the frame of the coach.

Risk: This could result in the cable becoming worn and creating an electrical short in the 12-volt system that could damage the battery and/or circuit breaker.

Fix: Dealers will rotate the eyelet on the circuit breaker to eliminate the possibility of the cable rubbing on the frame. Owner notification began august 22, 2003. Owners should contact monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Recall 02V-278: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 22, 2002 · 8,581 vehicles affected · MONACO COACH CORP.

Problem: On certain motor homes, the brake assemblies exhibit elevated temperatures that can lead to catastrophic deterioration of the wheel end components such as bearings, races, spindles, knuckles, seals, hubs, rotors, patch bolts, calipers, brake pads, and ABS sensors.

Risk: This could result in loss of control, and/or the potential for a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the front and rear brake calipers for corrosion and replace or rebuild the calipers as necessary. The recall began on august 18, 2004. Owners should contact monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10
Suspension8
Structure3
Service Brakes3
Air Bags1
Wheels1
Tires1

Most reported parts

  • Suspension › Rear — 4
  • Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly — 3
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light — 2
  • Suspension › Front — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 32,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · at 45,000 miles · reported Jul 30, 2015
The contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started to veer to one side and the ABS sensor light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was merged over to the shoulder to cool off and was later driven to the contact's residence. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 02v278000 (Service brakes, hydraulic); however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to address the recall repair. The manufacturer was…
Tires · at 45,000 miles · reported Apr 23, 2013
The contact owns a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador equipped with hercules s208 load rating tires, size: 255 70 22.5. The contact stated that while traveling 65 MPH, the front passenger's side tire blew and the tread became separated from the tire. The contact spoke with the distributor of the tire and was advised that they had received numerous complaints from truck drivers about the tires. The tires were replaced. The failure mileage was 45,000. The VIN was not available.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 24,368 miles · reported Jun 16, 2010
I have a 2003 holiday rambler ambassador on a roadmaster chassis. I have the same bosch brakes that are currently being recalled on the work horse chassis. I should be included in the work horse recall since I have the same brakes. Holiday rambler went out of business and was bought by monaco and it went out of business also. Navistar bought monaco. No one is looking at the holiday rambler brake problems that are the same as the work hours recall. I had to have all calipers ,rotors, brake pads, and ABS sensors changed due to the caliper not releasing and heating the rotors.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 57,870 miles · reported Mar 20, 2010
2003 holiday rambler motorhome bosch brake calibers sticking. 73mm. Had to change all 4 calibers. Now drivers side sticking. Very dangerous and expensive.
Air Bags · at 90,000 miles · reported Sep 23, 2009
Events leading to discovery of failure - failure of airbag and panhard tie arm on 2003 holiday rambler 36' ambassador diesel pusher motorhome while 500mi from home, and then second airbag punctured and replaced, along with swaying action that caused difficulty driving LED to discovery of broken(Complete break) trailing arm on driver side of mh. It is unknown how long the trailing arm may have been driven with crack(S). The airbag failures, along with the panhard tie rod caused by broken trailing arm. Due to information received regarding 2nd failures of trailing arms that had been replaced, a…

Other Holiday Rambler Ambassador years

Compare all Holiday Rambler Ambassador years · All Holiday Rambler models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador: 08V-257 (equipment), 05V-053 (suspension), 04V-038 (suspension), 03V-267 (electrical system), 02V-278 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Holiday Rambler Ambassador?

Owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most often (10 reports), followed by suspension (8). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 32,000 miles.

Are Holiday Rambler recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Holiday Rambler dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.