NORCOLD Complaints

Hooked camper up to our tow vehicle. Went inside to prepare to leave our storage. Husband turned the propane on and I pressed Further start button on the refrigerator once the pilot light ignited. After less than one minute an error message began beeping on the digital LCD pad to alert that there was a disconnect from the power source being used. Five seconds later it stopped, and the LCD went blank. I shouted to my husband to check the propane because the refrigerator had stopped and he confirmed that it was still running. I hit the start button again several times and nothing occurred. As I turned to go out the door I noticed a faint, small plume of smoke. My husband rushed in and did confirm a slight ozone smell before turning back outside to note smoke from the top vent where the refrigerator lies. He immediately shut the propane off and returned to remove the upper vent while I grabbed the fire extinguisher. As I returned, I immediately noticed flames and smoke from the lower vent. My husband quickly removed that vent cover and extinguish the fire with the extinguisher. Once out, he returned inside to turn off the circuit breakers, followed by unplugging the refrigerator cord from the wall, which is accessible through the lower vent. We thoroughly inspected the entire slide to be assured the fire was completely extinguished. I made a claim to Progressive the next day. We arranged to have a progressive inspector look at the camper at our local RV service center Harler Auto and Glen’s RV service in Romeo Michigan. The assigned inspector, Andy M made his assessment on Friday, XXX and called us the same afternoon to inform us that based on his inspection, it was determined that the damages were due to and confined to a mechanical/electrical failure, and not the result of a sudden, direct, and accidental loss. He was confident that this was due to a manufacturing defect and informed me that there were multiple known recalls on this particular product.

Norcold N641.3FL refrigerator (serial #XXX) installed in an Arctic Fox truck camper caught fire on June 2, 2026 due to cooling unit failure. This model is subject to a known Norcold fire risk recall. The unit had not been repaired under the recall. I extinguished the fire myself. I have photographic evidence and have reported the incident to Thetford/Norcold at [XXX] . Norcold LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2025 with over 10,500 similar fire-related claims. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2023 Jayco North Point Travel Trailer equipped with a Norcold refrigerator, Model Number: 2118SST, Serial Number: NR07DS0. The contact discovered a yellow fluid leaking from the outside of the trailer due to a refrigerator propane line leak. The refrigerator was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V784000 (Equipment); however, the year, make, and model of the RV were not associated with the recall. The RV manufacturer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact stated that the refrigerator manufacturer was not made aware of the failure since the manufacturer had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Upon attempting to leave campground at approximately 10am on April 19, 2025, unplugged electrical from RV and switched over to gas. The Norcold refrigerator caught fire within minutes of the switch over (apparently in the amount of time it took the gas to travel from the tanks to the fridge). Fortunately, I was able to disconnect the gas hoses from the tanks immediately upon noticing the flames and we were able to douse the fire with extinguishers. However, the RV has suffered some damage to the vents, and the fridge is fried. There was also a strong stench of ammonia, and we evacuated the area momentarily until it dissipated. I have made multiple attempts to include emails and completing online forms through Norcold / Thetford (as they cannot be reached directly via telephone) and they have yet to respond, and it has been 3 1/2 weeks! I do not feel that I should have to file a claim with my RV insurance carrier, pay deductibles, and have my premiums raised due to a defect. I purchased this RV on 9/15/2021 and have never received any recall information and only discovered there had been recalls on Norcold Polar Max refrigerators after entering a google search. If we had been asleep, the chances of having fatal injuries due to this defect would have been high. If we had been traveling, the risks of losing the entire rig, vehicle, our lives, and the lives of others on the highway would have been much higher. Any help in getting this immediately resolved will be greatly appreciated as we have had to cancel any future use of the rig until a resolution has been concluded with the manufacturer of the refrigerator. There were witnesses to this incident in the campground and I have contact information, if needed.

After the gas powered fridge was turned on. Approximately an hour later the back side of the unit was in flames causing extensive damage and totaling the RV. The failure of the equipment caused the fire. This problem has been ongoing with similar models and is well documented. Has been investigated by a Fire Inspector.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER EQUIPPED WITH A NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR, MODEL NUMBER: 1201LRIM AND SERIAL NUMBER: 15374429. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR BEGAN LEAKING AND AN AMMONIA ODOR WAS DETECTED IN THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE NORCOLD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AT 800 543-1219 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY EXISTING RECALLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REFRIGERATOR SCREEN DISPLAYED A WARNING FOR A LEAK AND THE AMMONIA ODOR. THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OF THE REFRIGERATOR FAILURE. THE REFRIGERATOR WAS NOT REPAIRED.

I OWN A FIFTH WHEEL WITH A NORCOLD 4 DOOR REFRIGERATOR MODEL 1200 SERIAL NUMBER 960665. COOLING UNIT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR UNITS BETWEEN SERIAL #'S 700000 TO 13085759. MY COOLING UNIT SERIAL NUMBER IS 1309537. IT IS PART OF THE RECALL. NORCOLD RECALLED MY HEAT SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED IN 2011. THIS CURRENT RECALL IS TO UPGRADE REFRIGERATOR FOR SAFETY. I UNDERSTAND THAT TWO RVS BURST INTO FLAMES WEEKLY DUE TO THE NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. I CALLED RECALL CENTER AT NORCOLD (800-767-9101) AND THEY REFUSE TO HONOR THE RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT MY SERIAL # WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RANGE OF RECALLS. IT IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE RECALL UNITS. MY REFRIGERATOR IS UNUSABLE I AM CURRENTLY RESIDING IN MY FIFTH WHEEL AND CANNOT MANAGE WITHOUT A REFRIGERATOR! I WANT TO GET THE COOLING UNIT REPLACED FOR SAFETY. I AM HOPING YOU CAN ASSIST ME IN GETTING THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I AM PART OF RECALL AND COMPEL THEM TO HONOR IT. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN IGNORE WE CONSUMERS WHO ARE IN GRAVE DANGER OF HAVING OUR NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS BURST INTO FLAMES! THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACED IS LEAKING CHEMICAL ODORS AND LIQUID. I REALLY NEED HELP GETTING REIMBURSED BECAUSE I AM GOING TO CALL AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR GUY TO DO MY RECALL SO I CAN GO BACK TO USING THE REFRIGERATOR. I HOPE THAT IS WHAT YOU BELIEVE I SHOULD DO ALSO. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER.

I OWN A 2014 WINNEBAGO ERA 70X. IT WAS PURCHASED NEW. I HAD TO HAVE MY NORCOLD N3104 REFRIGERATOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN JANUARY 2014. NOW AGAIN THE REFRIGERATOR HAS FAILED DUE TO BLACKENED OVERHEATED CIRCUIT BOARD DUE TO FAILURE OF 12V PORTION OF THE 3 WAY REFRIGERATOR. NORCOLD SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE THE POWER CONTROL BOARD ANT AN EXPENSE OF OVER $700 FOR THE PART ALONE!! I AM HESITANT TO ORDER THE PART SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH NORCOLD. SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS ALL SORTS OF PROBLEMS. I AM LEANING TOWARDS ADDING A LEVEL OF PROTECTION TO PREVENT OVERHEATING WITH THE NEXT REFRIGERATOR THAT IS MANUFACTURED BY A COMPANY CALLED ARP. HER IS A LINK TO THEIR WEB SITE SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSING MY REFRIGERATOR - HTTPS://WWW.ARPRV.COM/N3104-N3150-NO-12-VOLT-HEATER.PHP

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON OUR NORCOLD MODEL # 1200LRIM AND SERIAL # 1118725 F WITH THE ARPRV CONTROL V1.0 OR V1.1 HTS KIT BEING INSTALLED IN I BELIEVE 2013. MY FRIDGE DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES; IT WILL NOT TURN ON. I FOUND A REMEDY ON YOUTUBE, TO TAKE A MAGNET AND GO BACK AND FORTH OVER THE KIT AND YOU CAN HEAR A CLICK AND IT WORKS AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT FOUR TIMES. I CONTACTED THE RECALL SITE CONTACTS ON THE INTERNET AND THEY ARE SAYING IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. IT HAS GOT TO BE THE HTS KIT THAT IS FAILING AND I CAN'T GET ANY ASSISTANCE. HAVE YOU RECEIVED AN INFO ON PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09E027000 COMPONENT(S): EQUIPMENT. *TR

NORCOLD RECALL PART ARPRV CONTROL V1.0 OR V1.1 WOULD NOT ALLOW THE REFRIDGERATOR TO COME ON. I FOUND A TROUBLE SHOOT REMEDY TO RESET THE SWITCH WITH A MAGNET, BUT WILL IN FAIL AGAIN AS WE TRAVEL. I BELIEVE WAS COMPLETED IN 2012 OR 2013. WILL YOU PAY FOR THIS TO BE CHECKED OUT, SINCE HAD BEEN A RECALL? IT IS HAS TRIPPED NUMEROUS TIMES AND REFRIGERATOR WOULD NOT COME ON. I CONTACTED BOTH NORCOLD AND THETFORD AND THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE RECALL KIT, NOR WOULD THEY PAY FOR ANY LOST FOOD AND ANY OTHER OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES.