Solar Charge Controller Failure May Cause Fire

Affected vehicles (1)

Component / system

Defect

Brinkley RV (Brinkley) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model G fifth wheel trailers. The solar charge controller may fail and overheat.

Risk / consequence

An overheated controller increases the risk of fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the controller, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 7, 2025. Owners may contact Brinkley customer service at 1-574-501-4280. Brinkley's number for this recall is REC-2501.

Chronology of events

1. Jan 7, 2025

   On 1/7/25, Brinkley RV (BRV) received a call from a dealer in regards to an issue with a Model G RV that was being delivered from one dealer location to another. After noticing smoke coming from the unit, the driver pulled over, contacted local fire-fighting resources, and the fire was extinguished. Photos of the front storage compartment area indicated an origin location at the MPPT (Solar) controller. On 1/13/25 - 1/14/25, representatives from BRV and the solar controller supplier (Rich Solar - division of Patrick Industries) met at the affected dealer's location to inspect the unit. BRV and Rich Solar both opened investigations to determine root cause(s) and corresponding affected scope. On 1/22/25, BRV and Rich Solar/Patrick Ind. met to discuss investigation updates. Rich Solar confirmed that through testing, it was determined that a component within the Solar controller could fail under certain operating conditions, leading to component failure and potential fire in extreme cases. On 1/23/25, the BRV Safety Committee met to review investigation findings, warranty data, and potential affected scope. The Committee voted unanimously to issue a voluntary Recall. Upon review of warranty records, 9 related instances were discovered where the Solar Controller exhibited similar symptoms (cases were typically limited to damage/functionality of the Solar Controller itself, with lower severity than the initiating case above).

Notification schedule

Dealer notification

FEB 03, 2025 - FEB 10, 2025

Owner notification

FEB 05, 2025 - MAR 19, 2025