Last Updated: 12/12/2021

I just find out this today, but it is not a new issue apparently. While browsing, I came across the UK website that does list the recall:

Product Recall

Thule Omnistor awning type TO 8000 or TO 9200 with integrated 220V Nice awning motor from the production period June 2016 to July 2019

The Thule Group constantly maintains strong quality controls in the development and production of its products to secure they always meet the highest standards of reliability and safety. Furthermore, we track any incoming complaints or claims on products not meeting the consumers’ expectations.

The latest findings from this permanent quality monitoring have now prompted us to launch a Voluntary Product Recall for all Thule Omnistor awnings type TO 8000 and TO 9200 equipped with a 220V tubular motor and produced in the period June 2016 to July 2019.

What is the problem?

The 220V Thule Omnistor Nice Erafit or Thule Omnistor Nice Eramat tubular awning motors from the production period June 2016 to July 2019, may have a defect in the connecting element between the awning tubular motor and the roller tube, which in rare cases could lead to the awning coming open unintentionally and uncontrollably.

What could this mean?

The awning could cause damage and injuries to persons or objects standing in its way. Furthermore, if the awning comes open during the vehicle’s use it can cause a severe safety issue for consumers. If the awning becomes open due to this issue, it cannot be closed anymore, not even with the emergency hand crank.

How can you verify if your awning is affected by the voluntary product recall?

If you have a Thule Omnistor TO 8000 or TO 9200 awning with a tubular motor, the information on the production label in the awning allows you to determine whether your awning was produced during the period June 01, 2016 to July 31, 2019 (see images below), 1) indicating where you can find the manufacturing label and 2) where the production date is shown on that label, in this case bottom right of with the six digits meaning 30 = 30th, 01 = January and 19 = 2019, which means that this specific awning was manufactured on 30/01/2019).

The label can be found here:

You could also have an affected awning if your awning has been retrofitted with a tubular motor, or if the tubular motor has been replaced as part of a service intervention in the period June 01, 2016 to August 31, 2019. If necessary, please check your workshop invoices or contact your dealer or service partner.

If the tubular motor has been replaced before June 2016, or the production date of the awning is outside the affected period your awning is safe to use and you do not need to take any actions in relation to the awning or the motor.

All Thule Omnistor awnings with manual operation by hand crank and Thule Omnistor awnings with 12V motor drive are not affected.

What to do if my awning is affected?

German customers
If you are affected and live in Germany please visit the dedicated service site www.thule.com/de-de/de/safety-notices/recall230V or contact the dedicated German speaking customer hotline, using our tollfree telephone number 0800 6060646.

All other European customers
If you are affected and live in any European country (except for Germany), please enter on the registration form at the bottom of this page your complete data and the detailed information of your awning which you may find on the manufacturing label as well as your vehicle brand and chassis number (VIN), or you may also send us an email with all data at thule-recall230V@thule.com .
Alternatively, you can also contact the European tollfree Thule customer hotline 00 800 62620000 (Monday till Friday from 08:30 – 17:00) to perform this process.
Our staff will send you a securisation kit which we recommend to install immediately in accordance with the instructions included, to secure your awning against any form of unintentional opening.
Contact now your dealer to book an appointment to carry out the recommended retrofit.
When the awning is secured, you can continue to use your vehicle, however the awning must remain closed and secured.

When will your awning be fixed?

A new connecting part for the motor, that will replace the defect one, has been produced and sent out to dealers. Your dealer in your region will be able retrofit the motor from the mid of October 2019.

What action is carried out by the dealer on your Thule Omnistor awning?

Your dealer will remove the awning’s tubular motor and replace the critical connecting part with an improved version that removes the potential issue. Of course, all necessary work will be carried out free of charge to you.

Do you have any further questions?

If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact our European tollfree Thule customer hotline on 00 800 62620000 or send us an email on thule-recall230V@thule.com .

We regret that you will soon have to visit your dealer, however we do hope for your understanding of this action, taken in the interest of your safety.

Australia had the recall only listed on the 13 Nov 2019 while New Zealand had the recall on their gov website since October.

Apparently the gear drive that hold the entire awning weight is simply press fit and it can (it already has in some instances) dislodge and let the awning come out completely. So, simply removing the power is not an option. Thule recommend having a (securitisation kit) installed while driving to get the awning fixed! The “securitisation kit” is simply few strips of gaffer tape across the length of the awning to help retain the awning in the close position in case the gear detach from the shaft. If you have a gap behind the awning you could also use zip ties as a much safer option than tape

This picture does help understand where the problem is:

Picture of a roll pin. They come in different materials from soft alloy to high tensile steel.

The gear is the one market part C and it can simply dislodge from the shaft and release the awning. The fix apparently is to simply install a roll pin or a long screw by drilling a hole through the gear and the shaft.

Because I had received no phone call or email from the place I purchase it, I thought that maybe there are other people in Australia driving around unaware of this serious issue, therefore deciding to post this blog. If you have a friend that does have a Thule Omnistor Series 8000 or 9000 and purchased between 2016 and 2019, just let them know that there is a recall..

Considering that does affect units dated back to 2016, I’m seriously concern with why has taken so long for the recall to become public. And it seems that the company Thule itself doesn’t even know how to notify their customers, like in my case where I had to call in the place where I did purchase mine, to confirm the recall.. They said that they didn’t have my email or phone number on record… Fair enough..

I’m also tossing if take it back to the shop or try to do the fix myself. They fix it for free but it will still cost around $100 in fuel to get there and back, so for a $0.20 steel roll pin or a long screw, perhaps it does make sense to DIY if you feel comfortable. Remember that you could kill people if the awning does come out while you are driving, so this is a serious matter! I have added the PDF for the motor removal in the Members Download section for those people that are mechanically minded and understood the easy fix. I can’t stress enough that if you are not 100% competent or mechanically minded, you best and safest option is to get one of the distributors/retailers to do the job for you! It only takes about an hour and you may get free coffee as well..