Safety recall notification

0026442140
0026442140 Forum Participant Posts: 71
edited January 2020 in Caravans #1

I have received a recall notice for my 2017  swift Challenger regarding a potential issue with the lower front bulkhead, you have to arrange a visit from the Swift engineer and he decides if it has to go back to dealer or the factory in Yorkshire,this is all very well but also worrying as I can not find out what the problem is,any help welcome

Comments

  • 0026442140
    0026442140 Forum Participant Posts: 71
    edited January 2020 #3

    Thanks Cybil666 ,after reading article I had a look at my van and thankfully all seems well, no loose or missing screws from bulkhead angle plates, await engineers visit to hopefully give all clear.smile

  • harrib0
    harrib0 Club Member Posts: 70 ✭✭
    First Comment
    edited January 2020 #4

    As mentioned there is a big thread running on Swift Talk but you have to join up to read. Also a thread running on Caravan Talk

    People who have recently bought a 2017 Swift Caravan, and if the owner details have not been updated, may not have received a recall letter from swift, so I would phone Swift Customer services with your chassis number and find out if yours is affected

    In brief, there is an issue with the bulkhead detaching from the rest of the body on 2017 models surprised

    Details from Swift:

    Swift Group

    Swift Twitter feed

     

  • lagerorwine
    lagerorwine Forum Participant Posts: 310
    edited January 2020 #5

    From what I've read on the Swift Talk thread, other years may also have a similar issue (2015, 2016 is mentioned)

    Ours is 2013 and all screws are in place, so I wonder if it is Smart construction related?

    If you have a Swift in the 2015-2018, I would be checking inside the gas locker asap.

  • thebells
    thebells Forum Participant Posts: 365
    100 Comments
    edited January 2020 #6

    This problem was detected at our service in April last year. We were told that "the underside is coming away, it's a common problem which will take a couple of hours to fix"!

    The service engineer didn't seem unduly worried and it was a couple of months before the work was done. In fact we toured Scotland for a couple of weeks before taking the caravan in. 

    I would definitely check (if you know what you're looking for as ours wasn't obviously apparent) otherwise mention it at your next service or contact your dealer and ask them to inspect it?

    Ours is a 2015 Sprite Major 4 FB (built by Swift), so it had taken 4 years for the fault to develop/be noticed!

     

  • PeteandBarb
    PeteandBarb Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited January 2020 #7

    Hi We also have had a Recall Notice for our 2017 4 Berth Swift Ace Globetrotter. We have  replied to Swift with Caravan details and location. Now awaiting notification as to when Engineer will visit. Hope we don't have to wait to long. 

    As  the problem is where the Front Bulkhead is coming  away or has come away from Caravan Chassis. 

    I  believe  this has actually happened to one Caravan owner. Where front of Caravan became detached from Chassis  while Caravan was being Towed.

    Peter

  • Alron
    Alron Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited January 2020 #8

    I have had a look at my Corniche 20/4 2017. Unfortunately there are some screws missing and some are hanging out.I repelled to my recall notice and received a generic you will hear from us in 10 working days that was 14 working days ago.I rang Swifts and got told to be patient which when you have holidays booked and a very expensive caravan you are unable to use. I asked if could speak to someone from the recall team and was told that isnt possible.You have to email them which i duly did and received the  generic you will hear from us in 10 working days.In my opinion Swift are letting down their customers by not keeping them informed.i just wonder if i will be compensated for holidays missed due to the shoddy workmanship that has caused this problem. 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2020 #9
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  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2020 #10

    As  DD says it may well be worth talking to a lawyer, BUT first I'd recommend a chat to The Inhouse Staff at Club HQ. From all accounts they are knowlegable & helpful.

  • Alron
    Alron Forum Participant Posts: 2
    edited February 2020 #11

    I replied to Swifts on the 15th of January and still haven't had a reply..Jutt wondering has any one had a reply from Swifts?.

  • jemball
    jemball Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited February 2020 #12

    I too replied to Swifts letter on 15th January and received the following reply on 28th -

    "Please be reassured that we are working through the engineer visit bookings and we will be in touch with you shortly to offer you a date."

    Haven't heard anything since but having looked at my van I'm hopeful it's going to be ok.

  •  viatorem
    viatorem Forum Participant Posts: 645
    edited February 2020 #13

    Fair play to Swift issuing a recall notice, safety first!

    Unlike Bailey's infamous collapsing axles! 

  • pammie 1
    pammie 1 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited February 2020 #14

    My 2016 Challenger has the bulkhead problem (nodding dog) Swift have agreed repair.  My dealership noticed it at service, so not just 2017 caravan with this problem.

  • PeteandBarb
    PeteandBarb Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited February 2020 #15

    Update   Regarding front Bulkhead problem.  

    I have had a look in front locker and found a few screws in the Alloy angle  brackets that were loose

    Have now had a Call from Swift Customer Services Informing us that a Engineer will telephone us on Monday March 2nd to arrange a day that week to inspect our Caravan. 

    We  wont be booking anywhere until Caravan is  given all  clear. 

    Peter 

     

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
    1,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited February 2020 #16

    Hopefully you will be seen before your holiday date in May at Cromer Ron 👍

  • 144thomo
    144thomo Forum Participant Posts: 5
    edited February 2020 #17

    We have a 2017 Sterling Eccles 635 and have received the recall letter. Responded on 14th Jan to give details of where our caravan is stored. We are in B1 area only 10 miles from factory in Cottingham

    Received auto response to the email we sent stating it would be 7-10 days before we get a response. 28 days later and still no reply from Swift as to when the enginner will call to check if we have a problem.

    Ive rang customer services but although they were helpful still no idea when a date will be arranged. We have holidays booked for 14th March which now looks likely we will have to cancel.

  • PeteandBarb
    PeteandBarb Forum Participant Posts: 16
    edited March 2020 #18

    UPDATE  Regarding   Front  Locker Bulkhead Problem Recall.

    Today We had our 2017 Swift Globetrotter Inspected by a Swift Group Engineer.  Everything  o k  Engineer replaced all screws  with larger screws with bigger Heads.  

    We have paperwork saying  Caravan is  o k  and  recommends that bulkhead is examined as part of Annual service.

    Engineer was  pleased we had emptied the front locker of  our equipment etc .Including  the Gas bottle  Not everyone empties their front locker.

    Please make sure you empty your front Locker Before Engineer arrives to give Engineer easy access.

    Pete

  • 0026442140
    0026442140 Forum Participant Posts: 71
    edited March 2020 #19

    Swift engineer looked at my van yesterday 11/3/20 all ok but notice he gave me said this check should be part of annual service ,more expense. van is a 2017 challenger 480.

  • JMBeech
    JMBeech Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited March 2020 #20

    Hi All,

    I don`t think that the issue is just with 2017 models we have a 2016 swift sprite major 4SB. we have had the caravan serviced today & the engineer checked as he knew about the 2017 model recall. Our caravan has all the faults described adjusting bolt for steady not in centre of skirt hole, Gas locker floor loose & moving up & down approx 25mm, sealant on intersection between gas locker back wall, top & side of locker split & moving panels suspect not gas or water tight anymore. internally evidence that the window ledge has moved upwards & evidence of slight damp line. Regarding the brackets our 2016 models don`t have any visible brackets just a bead of sealant in the joints.

    Faults have been reported to Swift await the response.