A few months ago, we ran a similar recall notice about Grand Design step problems. That recall affected fewer than 700 RVs. This time, the Grand Design step recall is much bigger. If you own a Grand Design fifth-wheel, READ ON.
Grand Design RV, LLC (Grand Design) is recalling certain 2019-2024 Grand Design Solitude fifth wheel trailers. The step tread joints may be unsupported, causing the tread to break. A broken step increases the risk of injury. Up to 21,982 RVs may be affected by this recall.
Grand Design step recall remedy
The remedy program is still under development. The company plans to mail owner notification letters by May 1, 2025. Owners can contact Grand Design customer service at 1-574-825-9679. Grand Design’s recall number is 910048.
Notes
Owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit nhtsa.gov.
Grand Design slowly steps up to the problem
This Grand Design step recall issue dates back some time. On March 11, 2024, Grand Design issued a Technical Service Bulletin addressing complaints of interior steps breaking at the laminated joint. Later that year, on December 4, the company’s customer service staff received a report of a broken step that caused a minor injury.
On January 23, 2025, Grand Design’s Brand Action committee reconvened and determined that the injury risk was significant enough to elevate the issue to the Product Safety Review Committee. A week later, on January 30, the committee concluded that a field action was necessary.
What’s the problem?
The step treads are made from laminated hardwood. If the laminated joint aligns with the step riser, the tread joint may be unsupported, causing the step to break. If you own one of these rigs, you may—or may not—receive a warning about the problem. There might be noticeable separation at the lamination joint before failure, but because of the step tread’s texture, it’s not always visible.
“Engineers are currently testing for an actionable solution,” meaning they haven’t figured out how to fix the issue. Until they do, and the Grand Design step recall is implemented, and if you own one of these RVs, watch your step!
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Thank you for the information, Russ and Tina! That is a large number of RVs to produce in 6 model years. It average 3,664/year. Is it only 6 model years? That seems an amazingly large number of one of their many different models. Have a great day and safe travels!
Sounds like GD is trying to catch up to FR.
More like Thor.
Hahaha!
Cheap junk…sure glad we got rid of our not so grand design lemon.
The article could’ve done a better job explaining if the steps are the steps up to the bedroom and bathroom area of a typical 5th wheel, or the entry steps, which over the years have had issues with failure on many RVs. Only by reading through the article and discerning that steps made from hardwood does it become obvious they are indoor steps.
Paragraph 5 clearly states “interior steps”
The problem is the bean counters. once Winnebago purchased Grand Design the bean counters got involved and started to try and recover some of the money they lost by paying too much for the company. the new motto now is get it on the curb and we will take care of it when the customer returns. I learned this from being in the RV for over 40 years.
Hi, Larry. Did you mean “…from being in the RV business for over 40 years”? If so, I’ll update it. Thanks. Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
You could not be any more right…especially about GD.