UPDATE: Hobby motorhomes issues recall notice

Hobby has issued a recall of some of its Hobby and Fendt motorhomes relating to a possible issue with the overcab rooflight windows in some models.

The recall is for all Hobby and Fendt motorhomes built between 2007 and 2012.

Hobby has said it has now employed Auto Glass to check and correct any affected models. To make the process as easy as possible, Hobby owners need to phone or email the Auto Glass Support Hub to book in their motorhome. Call 01234 839123 8am-5pm or email [email protected]

The recall process is free and will be paid for by Hobby GMBH. However, if there is a call-out charge from a repairer or a postage cost for sealant, etc, the customer will be liable for these costs.

According to the manufacturer, the problem came to light in 2015 when a Hobby motorhome owner in Europe was driving and the overcab roof window in his motorhome blew out. He reported the incident to Hobby, who spent almost three months investiagting the cause of the problem.

The window was supplied to Hobby by a third-party supplier. Hobby says it was supplied with a thin polythene film over it for protection. Hobby removed this film and, while doing this, they were unaware that a small amount of the glue from the film was left behind that caused contamination on the surface window, meaning the bonding process wasn’t completely successful. This led to the window coming out when the vehicle was being driven at speed.

A spokesman for Hobby explained that Hobby then immediately contacted the authorities in each European country the vehicles were sold to, this included contacting the DVLA in the UK.

"At huge cost Hobby asked for the owners' details for each vehicle effected by supplying the DVLA all the relevant chassis numbers. We were first made aware of this in 2015 when we started working with VOSA and the DVSA to initiate a recall in the UK, a long bureaucratic process as you can imagine.

"The first letters were sent to our owners in early 2016 and we carried a considerable number of checks on the vehicles effected, Hobby however, felt that there were still a number out there that needed to be checked and they thought that the letters had not reached the correct people, so Hobby paid a large sum of money again to the DVLA for the names and addresses for the registered keepers of all Hobby and Fendt motorhomes built between 2007- 2012 and this is why these letters are now being received by owners.

"We have a process in place to carry out the inspections for the recall and if any owner needs an inspection arranging we can sort this out without much fuss."

Hobby said the recall process will involve:

1. The vehicle is taken to a Hobby-approved repair centre and they will inspect the window.
2. If the window is bonded securely, they will remove the sealant, clean the channel, re-seal the joint and allow the owner to leave after a time allowed for the sealant to dry.
3. If the window if loose, they will remove the window and all the old sealant will be removed and it will be cleaned thoroughly to ensure there is no contamination. The window will then be re-bonded and new sealant will be applied around the edge and once dry. The owner will then be able to leave with their vehicle.
4. If, as in a small number of cases the window has come out or is broken, the repair centre will fit a new window.

Hobby says if you are worried or have not had the recall letter to email your name, chassis number, telephone number and postcode to [email protected] and one of its team will contact you to arrange inspection or repair.