Adria recall due to potential roof cracking under flexible solar panel

[Colin McCourt]

Following a discussion with my dealer about MOTs he then casually told me that there was a recall in my motorhome due to potential cracking under the factory fitted flexible solar panel.
Since I live on the Isle of Wight I planned the work in with a trip to the Lake District. My dealer is in Redditch. I have to leave in in for two days. Now the work instruction tells them to remove the panel using something akin to cheese wire, clean the roof, apply a coating to the section of roof under the solar panel using something, test the solar panel to ensure it hasn’t been damaged, and then reattach.
However, here is the rub. If the panel has been damaged when removing it, they have to go back to Adria for approval and then order one from them with God knows what delivery time, and I am going on two 7 week trips to Europe, one of which is two weeks after my Lake District trip.
Even though my dealer has several of these recalls to do, and mine is the first, they will not ask Adria for a spare panel in case they get a failure. I am having to think about getting a new (solid) panel when they remove the old one at a cost of approximately £600! if I am to ensure I have Solar over the two trips.
Has any other Funster had this work carried out? Other Adria owners with flexible panels should be aware of the implications of this recall and not having a solar panel for some time. The work must be carried out to maintain the water ingress warranty.

 

[IRHP]

I would be more worried about the cracks.
If they find any how do they fix them?
I assume this could have been caused by overheating with no airflow underneath the panel.

They paint a sealer over it, thats it, nothing else. A bad case of covering up the cracks.

 

[Solly24]

I'm aware of the 6 years but I thought you had to take it up with the manufacturer after the first year.

The contract is always with the dealer, no contractual connection with the manufacturer. The has been no monetary exchange between the owner and the manufacturer. See below:

For a purchase contract to be legally binding, it must include an offer, acceptance, consideration (something of value exchanged), intention to create legal relations, and the parties must have the capacity to contract and the agreement must be legal.

 

[PeterCarole29]

It’s been mentioned not to feel sorry for the dealer
I think if I read correctly you said you had been quoted by said dealer £600 for ridgid panel
He’s trying to stitch you right up

 

[Colin McCourt]

Back on my soap box re Consumer Rights Act 2015. You are in a very strong position here as the manufacturer has declared the fault. As an aside, as has been stated elsewhere in this thread these provisions run for up to 6 years.

Previously stated contract is with dealer, not manufacturer - correct. Under the provisions of the Act the dealer is responsible for the costs incurred in you returning the motorhome to the dealer - make sure that you itemise all costs, including the return to home.

As other more knowledgeable members have said it will not be possible to remove and reattach the flexible panel and logic would suggest that to refit a flexible panel again would not be sensible. So, I suggest that you insist that a comparable fixed panel be replaced. Don’t be fobbed off by delays in supplying the panel etc, they are readily available and the dealer must complete the repair in a ‘reasonable time’.

Again already stated the cables are already in place, just need connecting to the new panel, a few minutes work even for a DIYer.

Don’t feel sorry for the dealer, whilst he has not caused the problem his costs will be reimbursed by the manufacturer.

Stick to your rights and guns, you can come out of this situation with a new panel and no costs, just some inconvenience.

PS. If you need to have time off from work (hint, hint) claim for that loss of income too.

Hope it works out well for you.

My van is over six years old.

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[SMB]

When I bought my previous van I had two rigid solar panels fitted, no problems at all. Decided to have a small 50w flexible panel fitted in the limited roof space left, not good. The paintwork bubbled around it due, I guess, to lack of heat disappation and the surface of the panel was distorted. I was just thankful that I didn't get a larger panel which I planned to place on the overhead cab. I've seen on previous posts about people making their own brackets for flexible panels to save on the weight, that would be the only way I'd affix another flexible panel to the roof

 

[Solly24]

My van is over six years old.

Oops, my bad!

 

[L' Hobo]

My van is over six years old.

I'm not legal expert BUT surely,
IF something that the Manufacturer or their agent, (eg. the dealer) had added in production to the original vehicle, that something should have been 'fit for purpose ' and, if not, should be rectified at their cost, not yours?

 

[IRHP]

I'm not legal expert BUT surely,
IF something that the Manufacturer or their agent, (eg. the dealer) had added in production to the original vehicle, that something should have been 'fit for purpose ' and, if not, should be rectified at their cost, not yours?

I'm sure they are fixing it FOC but the question is over the quality and timescales for a fix. I'm sure if anyone was doing this work on their own they wouldn't fit another flexible panel on top of an already cracked gel coat roof.

 

[DerryW]

Following a discussion with my dealer about MOTs he then casually told me that there was a recall in my motorhome due to potential cracking under the factory fitted flexible solar panel.
Since I live on the Isle of Wight I planned the work in with a trip to the Lake District. My dealer is in Redditch. I have to leave in in for two days. Now the work instruction tells them to remove the panel using something akin to cheese wire, clean the roof, apply a coating to the section of roof under the solar panel using something, test the solar panel to ensure it hasn’t been damaged, and then reattach.
However, here is the rub. If the panel has been damaged when removing it, they have to go back to Adria for approval and then order one from them with God knows what delivery time, and I am going on two 7 week trips to Europe, one of which is two weeks after my Lake District trip.
Even though my dealer has several of these recalls to do, and mine is the first, they will not ask Adria for a spare panel in case they get a failure. I am having to think about getting a new (solid) panel when they remove the old one at a cost of approximately £600! if I am to ensure I have Solar over the two trips.
Has any other Funster had this work carried out? Other Adria owners with flexible panels should be aware of the implications of this recall and not having a solar panel for some time. The work must be carried out to maintain the water ingress warranty.

Colin
Can I be so bold as to ask the model and age of your Adria.
I to have the factory fitted flexible solar panel. Your posting is the first I’ve heard of this issue. One last question did your dealer say it was a formal recall by Adria.
Thanks. Derry.

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[Colin McCourt]

Colin
Can I be so bold as to ask the model and age of your Adria.
I to have the factory fitted flexible solar panel. Your posting is the first I’ve heard of this issue. One last question did your dealer say it was a formal recall by Adria.
Thanks. Derry.

Coral Supreme 670SC 2019. It is a formal recall

 

[gus-lopez]

I'm aware of the 6 years but I thought you had to take it up with the manufacturer after the first year.

No ,even here where the norm is 2 year warranties on anything & with many offering 3 years, as others have said it always goes back to the supplier & it is for them to sort with the manufacturer.

 

[Lenny HB]

The panel is six years old.

Well past its sell by date, flexible panels don't normally last that long.

 

[Colin McCourt]

Well past its sell by date, flexible panels don't normally last that long.

Maybe but it is still working well enough where I don’t run out of power

 

[Colin McCourt]

I would be more worried about the cracks.
If they find any how do they fix them?
I assume this could have been caused by overheating with no airflow underneath the panel.

There is airflow underneath. I think it must be a reaction with whatever they used to bond it.

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[ontheroadagain]

There is airflow underneath

Up until a few months ago we had an Adria Compact with a factory fitted flexible solar panel. It was fully bonded around the perimeter so there was definitely no air flow under ours.

 

[Colin McCourt]

Up until a few months ago we had an Adria Compact with a factory fitted flexible solar panel. It was fully bonded around the perimeter so there was definitely no air flow under ours.

Mine is raised above the roof with dots of adhesive around the edge. I can clean out underneath it with a hose.

 

[ontheroadagain]

Mine is raised above the roof with dots of adhesive around the edge. I can clean out underneath it with a hose.

Hopefully that should make it much easier to remove.

 

[L' Hobo]

Mine is raised above the roof with dots of adhesive around the edge. I can clean out underneath it with a hose.

When did the practice of change happen?

Have the earlier models got full adhesion and the later only partial, with space underneath, OR is it the other way round?

If only the later models have a space, it seems they have known full adhesion has been causing problems for sometime?

 

[Kups]

Hopefully that should make it much easier to remove.

Colin. The flexible panel on my previous 18 plate Coral failed after 2 years due to overheating. It was an after sales instal, my choice. The dealer (not the one in Redditch) had sealed all the perimeter and so zero airflow. Solution was a fixed panel over the top of it. When I asked the original dealer about removal of the dud flexible panel they mentioned the cheese wire method. However they also said, definitely not recommended! Good luck Ian

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[Colin McCourt]

When did the practice of change happen?

Have the earlier models got full adhesion and the later only partial, with space underneath, OR is it the other way round?

If only the later models have a space, it seems they have known full adhesion has been causing problems for sometime?

Unknown, but the recall has been out since Oct last year

 

[DerryW]

Coral Supreme 670SC 2019. It is a formal recall

Thanks Colin for coming back to me so quickly. Mine too is 2019 19 plate. Not sure being the second owner whether I will be covered.

Unknown, but the recall has been out since Oct last year

with time on our hands yesterday and picking up the possible issue from the OP post, I decided to take a trip to our closest Adria dealer just over the border into Essex. They confirmed they knew about the recall but as I didn’t purchase from them I should call the dealer who supplied the vehicle from new. They did say that the recall does not affect all Vehicles. Each dealer has a list of chassis numbers affected. I phoned the dealer from where my vehicle was first purchased in August 2019, and are currently awaiting a return call from them.

I will give a follow up when I have heard from them.

 

[Brains]

Get them to remove the old panel.
Repair the roof.
And then go elsewhere to get a new solid panel fitted

Vanbitz will do a solar panel install 'whilst you wait' they have a campsite next door,
at least ask them for a quote so you know how close to the £600 they would cost.

 

[Colin McCourt]

Thanks Colin for coming back to me so quickly. Mine too is 2019 19 plate. Not sure being the second owner whether I will be covered.

with time on our hands yesterday and picking up the possible issue from the OP post, I decided to take a trip to our closest Adria dealer just over the border into Essex. They confirmed they knew about the recall but as I didn’t purchase from them I should call the dealer who supplied the vehicle from new. They did say that the recall does not affect all Vehicles. Each dealer has a list of chassis numbers affected. I phoned the dealer from where my vehicle was first purchased in August 2019, and are currently awaiting a return call from them.

I will give a follow up when I have heard from them.

I would think you are covered as even with being a second owner you have 7yrs water ingress warranty from new.

 

[Cliffyboy16]

I would think you are covered as even with being a second owner you have 7yrs water ingress warranty from new.

Yes I learnt of the recall from the Adria owners group forum. -they haven’t publicised it and I sent Adria Uk, an email direct with my vin number and they confirmed my 2069 Adria Compact Sp with factory fitted solar panel was indeed under a recall. I haven booked it with with the dealer I shall send them an email later to see what they say.

When I first put a hose under the panel there was a little garden growing underneath and have kept it clear since.

I had another issue with Red Engine Light coming in and loosing power after a heavy rain deluge but think that was because if the central windscreen pipe-don’t wish to count my chicken as I am catching the ferry from Bilbao tomorrow so will do a separate post. Shirley

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[DerryW]

Thanks Colin for coming back to me so quickly. Mine too is 2019 19 plate. Not sure being the second owner whether I will be covered.

with time on our hands yesterday and picking up the possible issue from the OP post, I decided to take a trip to our closest Adria dealer just over the border into Essex. They confirmed they knew about the recall but as I didn’t purchase from them I should call the dealer who supplied the vehicle from new. They did say that the recall does not affect all Vehicles. Each dealer has a list of chassis numbers affected. I phoned the dealer from where my vehicle was first purchased in August 2019, and are currently awaiting a return call from them.

I will give a follow up when I have heard from them.

I spoke with the original supplying dealer this afternoon. They are aware of the recall but, are currently awaiting firm instructions from Adria of the exact specifications of the work to be undertaken. They said they have a very long list of vehicles affected. Once they have the details from Adria they we do a mailing shot to owners of vehicles affected. They also confirmed it is safe to use the vehicle.

So watch this space.

 

[Colin McCourt]

I spoke with the original supplying dealer this afternoon. They are aware of the recall but, are currently awaiting firm instructions from Adria of the exact specifications of the work to be undertaken. They said they have a very long list of vehicles affected. Once they have the details from Adria they we do a mailing shot to owners of vehicles affected. They also confirmed it is safe to use the vehicle.

So watch this space.

There is a video out from Adria to the dealers showing how the job should be carried out, with a specific kit of items that must be sourced from Adria to ensure the warranty is preserved.

 

[DerryW]

That’s interesting, the guy I spoke to said they (the dealer) were waiting for such information. I don’t suppose you know the whereabouts of the video.

 

[Colin McCourt]

That’s interesting, the guy I spoke to said they (the dealer) were waiting for such information. I don’t suppose you know the whereabouts of the video.

I believe it’s on the Adria dealers YouTube site.

 

[DerryW]

Supplying dealer (Geoff Cox) called me this morning confirming my vehicle is affected by the recall and they will be in touch in due course. Nearer the time I will request a quote to install a new (biggest they can fit) standard hard panel, rather than refitting the flexible one. Having said that the panel has and is still working absolutely fine.

Thanks to OP for bringing this issue to my notice. Again an example of the power of MHF forum.