2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2017 · 2 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Lapalma years
Not enough data 4th of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma. That ranks 4th out of 9 Lapalma model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 50%), typically at around 55,000 miles. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System1 · ~55,000 mi
Structure1 · ~20,900 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System150%55,000——
Structure150%20,900——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2006, with 1 complaints
2006: 1200612017: 120171

n = 2 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Trailer hitchesJan 16, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V010000 · 2,086 vehicles

Problem: On certain class a motor h0mes built with gasoline engines, the frame extension lower flange may crack allowing the hitch to bend and possibly separate from the motor home.

Risk: This could result in separation of the towed vehicle.

Fix: Dealers will add an addition of two pieces of angle steel to the frame extension and hitch mounting point in order to reinforce the frame extension flange free of charge. The recall began on february 15, 2007. Owners may contact monaco at 877-466-6226. Note: the ending manufacturing date for indiana built motor homes is march 8, 2002 while the oregon built motor homes were built through november 2002. The federal id label located on the wall next to the driver's seat specifies in which state the motor home was built.

Electrical systemJun 23, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V227000 · 2,582 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis and equipped with actia corporate instrument cluster fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, 'controls and displays,' and no. 105, 'hydraulic and electric brake systems.' if the brake fail input falls below a voltage of 1.5v, the brake failure lamp and alarm will be activated. Also activation of the abs telltale when the abs is not properly functioning does not always occur.

Risk: At night the instrument cluster lights may fail and the driver may not be able to see the instrument panel gauges and the brake warning light indicator which could increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Workhorse is conducting this recall (please see 04v195000) and will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731 or monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lampMar 5, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V068000 · 5,361 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by standard.

Risk: In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the brake system warning indicator.

Fix: Dealers will repair the brake warning lamp circuit. Owner notification began may 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact monaco coach at 1-877-477-6226.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation componentsOct 22, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V278000 · 8,581 vehicles

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.

StructureSep 9, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V237000 · 6,223 vehicles

Problem: On certain class a motor homes, the floor truss network support system has a potential to weaken causing internal and external features to become misaligned. The affected vehicles are 1999 - 2003 class a motor homes manufactured on f53 20,500 pound gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), ford chassis, and 2000-2003 class a motor homes manufactured on w-22 22,000 pound gvwr, workhorse chassis.

Risk: Conditions can result in the bottoming out the suspension and amplification of the stress placed on the floor truss network. The additional stress can result in the fracture of welds securing the floor truss network system to the chassis frame rail and/or fracture of the floor truss network support system. The possibility exists that there could be damage to electrical wiring and/or fuel lines which could potentially lead to a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the floor truss network support system, reinforce the existing structure, and repair, as needed, the floor truss network support. Owner notification began november 5, 2002. Owners should contact monaco at 1-800-685-6545.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Tow hitch/frame failure (PE06047) — opened Oct 24, 2006, closed Jan 22, 2007, led to recall 07V010000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 monaco coach lapalma motor home. While operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster suddenly shut off and stopped working, which made the instrument gauges inoperable. After turning the vehicle off and back on, the cluster operated normally. Recently, the cluster shut…

Electrical System · received Oct 12, 2017 · NHTSA complaint 11033126

Dop 03/12/03, was the date my family purchased this beautiful monaco,36 dbd lapalma. 09/15/03 we began repairs on manifold leaks (3 times between 8458 mileage to 20747 mileage)and water leaks,during the first service the dealership which performed the repair noted the corrosion on the chassis to…

Structure · received Mar 28, 2006 · NHTSA complaint 10153873

Other Monaco Coach Lapalma years

← 2002 Lapalma · 2004 Lapalma →

See all Monaco Coach Lapalma problems by year, every Monaco Coach model, or the VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma?

Owners most often report electrical system, structure problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2003 Monaco Coach Lapalma a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Lapalma model years, the 2003 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.