Incorrect Size and Installation of Sumo Springs – 2021-2022 Tiffin Cahaba Recreational Vehicles

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Recall Inspection and Repair Instructions
Cahaba Suspension Springs
NHTSA Recall # 23V-104
Tiffin Motorhomes Recall # TIF-128
Models Involved: 2021 – 2022 Cahaba
Tools Needed: Parts Needed:
Floor Jack 5124403, front 4WD spring kit
Jack Stands 5126748, front 2WD spring kit
Wheel Chocks 5145042, rear spring 2WD & 4WD kit
13mm Wrench or Socket
FLAT RATE CODE & TIME ALLOWED: When filing the warranty claim for payment, please use the appropriate flat rate code and time. Please note that stacking flat rate codes is NOT allowed.
For 2WD units ONLY – CH9869RC01, 0.25 hours unit is equipped with stock Mercedes Benz springs and NOT INVOLVED in the recall.
All rear springs removed from the motorhome, even damaged springs or remaining parts of a missing spring, must be returned to SuperSprings using the return label included in the box with the new parts.
For units with upgraded suspension system – CH9870RC01 1.00 hour to replace rear springs with correct size and to relocate & replace the front springs.
Front 4WD axles will need to be inspected by a Mercedes Benz repair facility to determine if there is any damage present. The MB dealer is required to contact Tiffin Motorhomes to discuss the results of the inspection prior to any repairs. If needed, a sublet for the inspection or replacement can be filed using flat rate code CH9871RC01.
Inspection Procedure for 2WD units:
1. Determine if stock or the upgraded suspension springs are installed on the unit.
2. If Mercedes Benz stock springs are installed, no further work is needed. Please file a warranty claim using the flat rate code CH9869RC01 to Tiffin Motorhomes to clear the recall.
3. If the upgraded suspension springs are installed, please complete the repair procedure below.
Front Stock Spring
Rear Stock Spring
Front Upgraded Spring
Rear Upgraded Spring
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Repair Procedure for units with Upgraded Suspension:
Rear Springs:
1. Park the vehicle on a hard, level surface and engage the emergency brake. Place chocks in front and behind wheels to prevent rolling. Observe all safety precautions and wear safety glasses.
2. Raise the rear of the vehicle allowing the axle to hang free and rest the frame on the safety jack stands rated for the vehicle.
3. Remove the incorrect sized springs from the underside of the frame by pulling and twisting the rubber tabs out of the frame brackets.
4. Remove new SumoSprings (see “A” above) from the box.
5. Working from forward of the axle, insert the top rear tab (end with the cut-out notch) at an angle, into the rear part of the frame bracket. Push the SumoSpring to the rear so the tab is seated as far back into the frame bracket as possible.
6. With the cut-out notch seated fully rearward, grab one corner of the front tab of the SumoSprings with long nosed pliers or vice-grips and turn it up under force to just start the front tab into the front frame bracket.
7. Once the corner of the tab is started into the bracket, use a flat spade screwdriver or small handheld pry tool to continue pushing the remaining portion of the tab into place.
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8. Once the front tab is in place in the frame bracket, push the whole SumoSpring forward to seat it in place.
9. The SumoSpring should now be fully seated and centered over axle.
10. Repeat steps 3-9 for the other side of the vehicle.
11. Jack up vehicle, remove safety jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle to the hard surface. Remove wheel chocks.
Front Springs:
1. Park the vehicle on a hard, level surface and engage the emergency brake. Place chocks in front and behind wheels to prevent rolling. Observe all safety precautions and wear safety glasses.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle allowing the suspension to unload approximately 50% and rest the frame on the safety jack stands rated for the weight of the vehicle. Turning the wheels left or right will aid in providing more room for installation.
3. Starting on the driver’s side, remove the existing SumoSpring from the mounting bracket and discard.
4. Remove the new SumoSpring from the box and place the spacer (item B) on the stud of the SumoSpring (item A).
5. Apply the blue thread locker to the stud of the SumoSpring and install onto the factory mounting bracket. Ensure the stud is inserted into the upper hole of the mounting bracket.
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6. Place the flat washer (item C) over the stud and thread on the M8 hex nut (item D) and torque to 20 ft. lbs. Do not over tighten the nut.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 on the passenger side of the vehicle.
8. Raise the vehicle, remove safety jack stands and carefully lower vehicle to the hard surface. Remove the wheel chocks in front and back of the rear wheels.
9. On 4WD units ONLY: Front 4WD axles will need to be inspected by a Mercedes Benz repair facility to determine if there is any damage present. The MB dealer is required to contact Tiffin Motorhomes to discuss the results of the inspection prior to any repairs.

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN:
NHTSA Recall # 23V-104
Tiffin Recall # TIF-128
April 21, 2023
Cahaba Suspension Springs for 2WD units
Dear Tiffin Motorhome Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Tiffin Motorhomes has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on the following models of motorhomes: 2021 and 2022 Cahaba 19SC Motorhomes, built between May 2021 and April 2022 and that are equipped with upgraded suspension springs.
Tiffin Motorhomes has become aware of the possibility that on these motorhomes, the upgraded front suspension springs installed by Tiffin Motorhomes are incorrectly installed and that the upgraded rear suspension springs are incorrectly sized. If the upgraded front suspension springs are incorrectly installed, the suspension will not function as designed. If the upgraded rear suspension springs are the incorrect size, this may cause the spring to be over compressed and to detach from the motorhome and increase the risk of a crash.
Tiffin Motorhomes will have dealers inspect and if necessary, have the upgraded front suspension springs relocated to the correct position and will replace the upgraded rear suspension springs with ones that are correctly sized for the weight of the motorhome.
Please arrange to take your motorhome to a reputable service center OR dealer of your choice to have the correction completed. A list of Tiffin Motorhomes authorized dealers is available online at https://tiffinmotorhomes.com/service-center-locations. Please allow up to 1 hour for the correction and replacement of the front and rear suspension springs to be completed. This work will be completed at no charge to you, the owner.
If you are using a service center that is not a Tiffin Motorhomes authorized repair facility, please make sure that they contact Tiffin Motorhomes for the required parts, instructions and time allowed for the repair. Tiffin Motorhomes will not pay over the allowed time unless the repair facility receives prior authorization. For authorization, contact Tiffin Motorhomes at 256-356-0261 or service@tiffinmotorhomes.com.
You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the recall within a reasonable time after receiving notification.
If owners have paid to have this repair completed, please send a copy of the invoice, that was paid by the owner to Tiffin Motorhomes at the following address: Tiffin Motorhomes, attn: Recalls, 105 2nd Street NW, Red Bay AL 35582 or by email to service@tiffinmotorhomes.com. Please make sure the invoice lists who paid for the repair, the VIN of the motorhome and the date the repair was completed.
If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the vehicle identification number which appears on this Recall Notification, please return the notification to the Tiffin Motorhomes Recall Department with any information you can furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. You may also send an email to recalls@tiffinmotorhomes.com.
If you are unable to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time after you tender the vehicle for repair, please contact the Tiffin Warranty Department, at 1-256-356-8661, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Central Time. You may also wish to notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590, or phone 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153): or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety.
Tiffin Motorhomes Recall Department

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
This notice applies to your vehicle, VIN:
NHTSA Recall # 23V-104
Tiffin Recall # TIF-128
April 21, 2023
Cahaba Suspension Springs for 4WD units
Dear Tiffin Motorhome Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Tiffin Motorhomes has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on the following models of motorhomes: 2021 and 2022 Cahaba 19SC Motorhomes, built between May 2021 and April 2022 and that are equipped with upgraded suspension springs.
Tiffin Motorhomes has become aware of the possibility that on these motorhomes, the upgraded front suspension springs installed by Tiffin Motorhomes are incorrectly installed and that the upgraded rear suspension springs are incorrectly sized. If the front upgraded suspension springs are incorrectly installed, this may cause damage to the front 4WD axles, which could lead to an increased risk of a crash. If the upgraded rear suspension springs are the incorrect size, this may cause the springs to be over compressed and to detach from the motorhome and increase the risk of a crash.
Tiffin Motorhomes will have the front suspension springs replaced and relocated to the correct position and the front axles on 4WD units inspected for damage. Tiffin Motorhomes will replace the rear suspension springs with springs that are correctly sized for the weight of the motorhome.
Please arrange to take your motorhome to a reputable service center OR dealer of your choice to have the correction completed. A list of Tiffin Motorhomes authorized dealers is available online at https://tiffinmotorhomes.com/service-center-locations. Please allow up to 1 hour for the correction and replacement of the suspension springs to be completed. If the front axles on a 4WD unit are damaged, additional repair time, possibly up to 8 hours, will be needed to complete the repair. This work will be completed at no charge to you, the owner.
If you are using a service center that is not a Tiffin Motorhomes authorized repair facility, please make sure that they contact Tiffin Motorhomes for the required parts, instructions and time allowed for the repair. Tiffin Motorhomes will not pay over the allowed time unless the repair facility receives prior authorization. For authorization, contact Tiffin Motorhomes at 256-356-0261 or service@tiffinmotorhomes.com.
You may be liable for any progressive damage that results from your failure to complete the recall within a reasonable time after receiving notification.
If owners have paid to have this repair completed, please send a copy of the invoice, that was paid by the owner to Tiffin Motorhomes at the following address: Tiffin Motorhomes, attn: Recalls, 105 2nd Street NW, Red Bay AL 35582 or by email to service@tiffinmotorhomes.com. Please make sure the invoice lists who paid for the repair, the VIN of the motorhome and the date the repair was completed.
If you do not own the vehicle that corresponds to the vehicle identification number which appears on this Recall Notification, please return the notification to the Tiffin Motorhomes Recall Department with any information you can furnish that will assist us in locating the present owner. You may also send an email to recalls@tiffinmotorhomes.com.
If you are unable to have the defect remedied without charge and within a reasonable time after you tender the vehicle for repair, please contact the Tiffin Warranty Department, at 1-256-356-8661, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Central Time. You may also wish to notify the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590, or phone 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153): or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Federal regulations require that any vehicle lessor receiving this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to the lessee within ten days.
We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety.
Tiffin Motorhomes Recall Department

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
NHTSA Recall # 23V-104
Tiffin Recall # TIF-128
April 21, 2023
Cahaba Suspension Springs
Dear Tiffin Motorhome Dealer,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
Tiffin Motorhomes has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety, exists on the following models of motorhomes: 2021 and 2022 Cahaba 19SC Motorhomes, built between May 2021 and April 2022 and that are equipped with upgraded suspension springs.
Tiffin Motorhomes has become aware of the possibility that on these motorhomes, the upgraded front suspension springs installed by Tiffin Motorhomes are incorrectly installed and that the upgraded rear suspension springs are incorrectly sized.
On 4WD units, improperly installed front suspension springs may cause damage to the front 4WD axles, which could lead to an increased risk of a crash.
On 2WD units equipped with upgraded front suspension springs, the suspension will not function as designed.
On both 2WD and 4WD units, if the upgraded rear suspension spring is the incorrect size, this may cause the spring to be over compressed and to detach from the motorhome which could lead to an increased risk of a crash.
Tiffin Motorhomes is aware that not all Cahabas built on a 2WD chassis will have upgraded suspension springs installed. All 2WD Cahabas will need to be inspected to determine which suspension springs are installed. If a dealership inspects a motorhome that has the stock suspension system installed, please file a warranty claim for inspection as directed on the work instructions so the recall can be cleared from the motorhome. No work is needed on the 2WD chassis equipped with the stock Mercedes Benz suspension springs.
Owners will be notified by mail about the recall and will be instructed to take their motorhome to a reputable service center OR dealer of their choice to have this inspection and replacement, if needed, completed. Tiffin Motorhomes is allowing up to one hour for the replacement of the springs. If a unit involved in the recall has damage to the front 4WD axles, please contact Tiffin Motorhomes for further instructions and authorization.
To verify a motorhome’s involvement in this recall, please visit our website, TiffinMotorhomes.com. Choose the “Dealer Login” page and click on “Vehicle Recall Lookup” and enter the complete 17-digit VIN number. No login or password is needed. To view work instructions, please click on “Flat Rate Manual” and choose “RECALLS” for Model and “RECALLS” for the Section, scroll down to the NHTSA recall number for the recall you are looking for and choose “Show Files” and then download the work instructions.
Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you to sell or lease any new Tiffin Motorhome covered by this notification until this recall has been performed on the motorhome. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.
We regret any inconvenience this action may cause but feel certain you understand our interest in motor vehicle safety.
Tiffin Motorhomes Recall Department

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OMB Control No.: 2127-0004
Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-104
The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
Manufacturer Name : Submission Date :
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. FEB 20, 2023 NHTSA Recall No. : 23V-104 Manufacturer Recall No. : TIF-128 Manufacturer Information :
Manufacturer Name : Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc.
Address : 105 2nd Street NW
PO Box 596 Red Bay AL 35582
Company phone : 999
Population :
Number of potentially involved : 243 Estimated percentage with defect : 100 %
Vehicle Information : Vehicle 1 : 2021-2022 Tiffin Cahaba Vehicle Type : LIGHT VEHICLES Body Style : VAN Power Train : DIESEL
Descriptive Information : This recall involves all Cahaba Class B motorhomes that were built on Mercedes Benz chassis’. Quantity of 243 built – model year 2021 = 25 & model year 2022 = 218
Production Dates : MAY 04, 2021 – APR 18, 2022 VIN Range 1 : Begin : W1W4EBVY6LP217274 End : W1W4EBVY6LP217274 ✔ Not sequential Description of Defect :
Description of the Defect : The rear Sumo Springs are the wrong size.
The front Sumo Springs are installed in the wrong location.
FMVSS 1 : NR FMVSS 2 : NR
Description of the Safety Risk : If the rear Sumo Springs were to become displaced in transit, this would
increase the risk of accident.
If the front Sumo Springs are installed incorrectly, it can cause damage to 4 x 4 front axle which could lead to an accident. On a 4 x 2 unit there is no axle to be damaged, but they are installed incorrectly.
Description of the Cause : For the rear Sumo Springs: According to Super Springs International, when they initially installed the rear Sumo Springs on a Cahaba, it was on a raw chassis, with the house portion not yet built. Once the motorhome was built, the added weight caused over-compression to the part resulting in buckling. For the front Sumo Springs: Review of installation manual from Super Springs
International for the front Sumo Springs revealed that Winfield production was Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-104 Page 2 Identification of Any Warning
that can Occur : installing the front Sumo Spring in the wrong location allowing displacement of the Sumo Spring.
None Involved Components : Component Name 1 : Sumo Spring Component Description : Front Sumo Spring Component Part Number : SSR-330 Supplier Identification : Component Manufacturer
Name : Super Springs International Address : 505 Maple Avenue
Carpnteria California 93013
Country : United States Chronology :
9/11/22-Email from customer that a rear Sumo Spring was displaced. 10/10/22-Email forwarded to Tiffin Compliance for review.10/11/22-Claim search for similar incidents revealed no other complaints. 10/20/22 Communication with SuperSprings International (SSI) regarding installation practices.12/7/22-Email from 2nd customer regarding rear Sumo Spring displacement. 12/8/22-TMH stopped the production of Cahaba models in April 2022, so there were no Cahabas at our Winfield production facility to inspect. We began inspecting Cahabas on dealer’s lots, however, the population was limited, as were the units coming to Winfield, AL for service. 12/22/22-1/2/23-Plant shutdown for the holidays. 1/3/23-Continued investigation to the rear Sumo Springs. 1/23/23-Email from Winfield Service Center to Compliance that front Sumo Springs were installed incorrectly. 1/24/23-Dealer investigation to now include inspection of front Sumo Springs on dealer’s lots. Due to the limited availability of dealer stock Cahabas or Cahabas in for service in Winfield, investigation was sporadic. Further communication with SSI regarding the initial installation of a rear Sumo Spring to a production Cahaba. According to SSI, when they initially installed the rear Sumo Springs on a Cahaba, it was on a raw chassis, with the house portion not yet built. Once the motorhome was built, the added weight caused over-compression to the part resulting in buckling. SSI believes that the current part SSR-330 is too tall for the overall weight of the vehicle and suggests replacing all SSR-330 with part number SSR-329 which is a shorter Sumo Spring that will allow more clearance & avoid buckling. Review of installation manual from SSI for the front Sumo Springs revealed that Winfield production was installing the front Sumo Spring in the wrong The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573 Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-104
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The information contained in this report was submitted pursuant to 49 CFR §573
location allowing displacement of the Sumo Spring. 2/9/23-Final investigation of front & rear Sumo Springs. 2/15/23-Tiffin Safety Committee voted to recall.
Description of Remedy :
Description of Remedy Program : Tiffin will inspect and replace the rear Sumo Springs with the correct size
spring. Tiffin will inspect the front Sumo Spring to ensure it is in the correct location and if not move it to the correct location and inspect for any damage. This will be done at no charge to the customer. If customers have paid for any repairs related to this recall, they can submit the invoice to Tiffin for reimbursement. How Remedy Component Differs from Recalled Component : Identify How/When Recall Condition was Corrected in Production : The remedy component for the rear Sumo Spring will be a different size and the remedy component for the front Sumo Spring will be installed in the correct location.
These Cahaba models were no longer being produced when Tiffin was advised of the concern. Recall Schedule :
Description of Recall Schedule : Tiffin will send a letter to customers and dealers that are in possession of
Cahaba models explaining the concern and asking them to take the motorhome to the dealer for proper inspection and/or repair at no cost to them.
Planned Dealer Notification Date : APR 21, 2023 – APR 21, 2023
Planned Owner Notification Date : APR 21, 2023 – APR 21, 2023
* NR – Not Reported

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