There is apparently a known transmission problem with the new Fiat Ducato/Peugeot Boxer that affects some Motorhomes based on these vehicles.  Apparently, when you reverse uphill the transmission starts to vibrate on affected models.  Now I’ve never experienced this transmission problem myself and I don’t personally know anyone who has but it is a serious problem and does exist on a number of Motorhomes.

If you do have this transmission problem then Peugeot have released an engine software download which is available to dealers and if you’ve had this done then it may have cured the  problem.  A modified gearbox is being fitted to all January 2009 onwards new vehicles and there will be a service fix available from February.

Peugeot have received a number of complaints from Motorhome owners and they are supporting those customers and advising them over the progress of the fix.

This sounds like a big deal to me, although I’m not a mechanic, in that if the software download doesn’t cure the issue, and I’ve no knowledge as to how successful this has been, then the next course of action may be a stripped down gearbox with new parts fitted or a new gearbox. I also believe you would then need a new clutch.

The question I have is how do you know if you have the transmission problem, I don’t normally reverse uphill in the Motorhome or at least not up a very steep incline.  I did have to do it once in Italy in my previous Motorhome when I started to go down a hill on a country road and the Tarmac suddenly vanished.  I ground to a halt at the bottom of the hill with no road to go down and no way to turn round.  I made it back up by reversing and there were a few scary moments I can tell you.  If that happened now would I be able to reverse up that hill or would I need rescuing?

I’ve had a look for further information on the Peugeot web site but couldn’t find any but I’ve seen this problem mentioned in a couple of magazines and I’ve been told about it by fellow Motorhomers.  Maybe it’s an isolated occurrence  and that’s why it hasn’t been widely publicised, or have I just missed it?

If any of you have experienced this transmission problem on your Motorhomes or know someone who has then please let me know how you came across it and if Peugeot or Fiat have managed to fix it yet.