Electrical Safety Concerns - 2022 Reflection 303RLS

[Jomani]

I recently replaced the Furrion 16 cu ft 12v refrigerator in my 2022 Reflection 303RLS and found what I believe to be a serious safety concern. Since the refrigerator is only secured by two screws, one through each of the front bottom door hinge brackets, the refrigerator moves around a lot while traveling. To add to that, there is no support under the slide floor when fully retracted (travel mode) which adds to the instability of the refrigerator.

The two electrical outlets (microwave plug and above stove) protrude into the refrigerator compartment and are not protected by traditional electrical boxes. Rather, they use the punch down outlets with a plastic cover on the back. What I found when I removed my refrigerator was that the microwave outlet was preventing top of the refrigerator from getting close enough to that wall. Since day one, I noticed that the refrigerator sat a little crooked in the hole which resulted in the refrigerator compartment door rubbing the trim on the right side (top only). I actually had two different GD dealers look at it and both said that was fairly common on that model.

What I found when I removed the refrigerator was that the microwave outlet had broken and the wiring had been rubbing against the metal side of the refrigerator. I don’t know how much more the outlet or wiring could have taken before something shorted out - remember, the aluminum casing on the refrigerator is tied to frame ground. I think this needs to be addressed by Grand Design as there is a simple solution. Below is a video I made showing how I fixed mine.

https://youtu.be/oc-HYQ0QwCQ?si=lf9YRd3UGf2LOTF0

 

[Soundsailor]

Thanks for the heads up, others may have a similar situation.

 

[downsc123]

I have the exact same problem. Broke the upper screw of the microwave outlet. I didn't want to pull the fridge so I rigged up a support for the top of the fridge so it doesn't move anymore. Hopefully that will save the bottom screw and keep the outlet in place. So far so good since I added the upper support. What a terrible design this is for the fridge mount

 

[Jomani]

I have the exact same problem. Broke the upper screw of the microwave outlet. I didn't want to pull the fridge so I rigged up a support for the top of the fridge so it doesn't move anymore. Hopefully that will save the bottom screw and keep the outlet in place. So far so good since I added the upper support. What a terrible design this is for the fridge mount

Since I tow a little pin high, what I found was that the microwave receptacle was actually supporting the refrigerator while going down the road.

If you decide to replace your broken receptacle, I would shorten the screws by about 3/4”.

 

[MichaelL]

Thanks for the info and the time taken to post the video. Please report back with GD’s reply.

 

[Jerry Davis]

We have a 2024 RLS 303. When got RV home, I was looking around and the microwave outlet was pushed out by the refrigerator....So I just mounted a surface electrical box inside the cabinet to correct problem. Wonder what kind of engineers they have?

 

[SolarPoweredRV]

I recently replaced the Furrion 16 cu ft 12v refrigerator in my 2022 Reflection 303RLS and found what I believe to be a serious safety concern. Since the refrigerator is only secured by two screws, one through each of the front bottom door hinge brackets, the refrigerator moves around a lot while traveling. To add to that, there is no support under the slide floor when fully retracted (travel mode) which adds to the instability of the refrigerator.

The two electrical outlets (microwave plug and above stove) protrude into the refrigerator compartment and are not protected by traditional electrical boxes. Rather, they use the punch down outlets with a plastic cover on the back. What I found when I removed my refrigerator was that the microwave outlet was preventing top of the refrigerator from getting close enough to that wall. Since day one, I noticed that the refrigerator sat a little crooked in the hole which resulted in the refrigerator compartment door rubbing the trim on the right side (top only). I actually had two different GD dealers look at it and both said that was fairly common on that model.

What I found when I removed the refrigerator was that the microwave outlet had broken and the wiring had been rubbing against the metal side of the refrigerator. I don’t know how much more the outlet or wiring could have taken before something shorted out - remember, the aluminum casing on the refrigerator is tied to frame ground. I think this needs to be addressed by Grand Design as there is a simple solution. Below is a video I made showing how I fixed mine.

https://youtu.be/oc-HYQ0QwCQ?si=lf9YRd3UGf2LOTF0

This situation should be reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Here is the Link to report Safety issues:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

NHTSA is responsible for RVs as well as Motor Vehicles and they can force the Manufacturer to perform a safety recall to fix this issue.

 

[traveldawg]

I recently replaced the Furrion 16 cu ft 12v refrigerator in my 2022 Reflection 303RLS and found what I believe to be a serious safety concern. Since the refrigerator is only secured by two screws, one through each of the front bottom door hinge brackets, the refrigerator moves around a lot while traveling. To add to that, there is no support under the slide floor when fully retracted (travel mode) which adds to the instability of the refrigerator.

The two electrical outlets (microwave plug and above stove) protrude into the refrigerator compartment and are not protected by traditional electrical boxes. Rather, they use the punch down outlets with a plastic cover on the back. What I found when I removed my refrigerator was that the microwave outlet was preventing top of the refrigerator from getting close enough to that wall. Since day one, I noticed that the refrigerator sat a little crooked in the hole which resulted in the refrigerator compartment door rubbing the trim on the right side (top only). I actually had two different GD dealers look at it and both said that was fairly common on that model.

What I found when I removed the refrigerator was that the microwave outlet had broken and the wiring had been rubbing against the metal side of the refrigerator. I don’t know how much more the outlet or wiring could have taken before something shorted out - remember, the aluminum casing on the refrigerator is tied to frame ground. I think this needs to be addressed by Grand Design as there is a simple solution. Below is a video I made showing how I fixed mine.

https://youtu.be/oc-HYQ0QwCQ?si=lf9YRd3UGf2LOTF0

What did GD say when you reported the video and showed them the video?

 

[Jomani]

This situation should be reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Here is the Link to report Safety issues:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem

NHTSA is responsible for RVs as well as Motor Vehicles and they can force the Manufacturer to perform a safety recall to fix this issue.

For what it’s worth, this was reported and an investigation has been opened. Personally, I would be surprised if anything comes of it.

 

[Jomani]

What did GD say when you reported the video and showed them the video?

Their response was a little generic. Basically, that the refrigerator securement method had been approved (not sure by whom), and that they have since improved the way newer models are secured. Since I have heard from a number of people who own 2024 models that have experienced the same issue, I would question just how much they improved it.

I asked for drawings or pictures of their “fix” so I could make the necessary changes to mine. I also asked if they had any plans to notify those customers who had the first models with the 16cu ft 12v Furrion refrigerator - since they all but admitted there was a problem (without of course actually admitting it), I just thought it would be nice for them to actually prove they put customers first.

“Take it to an authorized Grand Design service center.” That was the response to the questions I posed in the email. Oh, wait, it had already been to two different dealers for this exact issue - refrigerator sits loose when the slide is retracted. Rubber stamped by both dealers as “normal”.

Ghosted…