Itasca Sunrise problems & recalls

Problem: Winnebago is recalling certain recreational vehicles equipped with 1200-series norcold refrigerators. the population of refrigerators being addressed contains either a sensing algorithm or thermal switch to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected in order to prevent a potential fire. the response times of the sensor algorithm and thermal switch devices to stop power are not sufficient.

Risk: The sensing algorithm or thermal switch installed to shut off power to the refrigerator when high temperatures are detected due to a possible hydrogen gas leak may not shut off in sufficient time to prevent a fire.

Fix: Winnebago is working with norcold to identify and notify any affected owners. owners will be instructed to contact norcold dealers to receive the remedy free of charge. please see norcold's defect report 10e-049 for additional information. the recall began during december 2010. owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.

Problem: Winnebago is recalling certain model year 2008 winnebago voyage and, itasca sunrise and, model year 2009-2011 winnebago adventurer and, itasca suncruiser motor homes because the dinette area seat belt restraints on those vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages." in a collision, the generated crash forces can cause the restraint's attachment to tear and allow the anchor to separate from the body of the vehicle.

Risk: If the restraint separates from the vehicle during a crash, the belt will not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury or death to the occupant.

Fix: Winnebago will notify ownes and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. the safety recall began on december 17, 2010. owners may contact winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Problem: Winnebago is recalling 1,547 model year 2001-2003 recreational vehicles equipped with norcold model 1200lrim refrigerators, manufactured from march 1, 2001 to december 31, 2002, with serial numbers between 1273701 and 1536607, non-consecutively. a fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak. if a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. at such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.

Risk: If a leak occurs and the unit is continues to operate, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Fix: Winnebago is working with norcold and norcold will notify owners and the vehicle's refrigerator will be repaired free of charge (please see 09e-027). owners may contact norcold's recall center at 1-800-767-9101.

Problem: Winnebago is recalling 2,331 my 2002-2004 brave and itasca sunrise my 2005 2006 winnebago voyage, adventurer, itasca sunrise and suncruiser motor homes. the propane tank mounting bracket may have an incomplete or improper weld.

Risk: Should the weld fail, the propane tank can tip or fall, possibly releasing propane which has the potential to ignitea fire, resulting in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and properly weld the bracket free of charge. the recall is expected to begin during may 2009. owners may contact winnebago at 800-537-1885.

Problem: Winnebago is recalling my 1999-2002 ultimate advantage, ultimate freedom, my 1999-2001 chieftain, my 2000-2001 brave, my 2001 journey my 2000 minnie winnie, my 2000-2002 itasca horizon, my 1999 suncruiser, my 2001 sunflyer, and my 2000 sunrise motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerators. a fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak.

Risk: Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit could lead to a fire from gas which might escape.

Fix: Winnebago is working with norcold to repair these refrigerators. norcold will provide thermal switch kits to owners along with the necessary forms and instructions. the manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.

Problem: On certain motor homes, if the battery boost switch is engaged while the engine is operating, the engine may shut down.

Risk: This could cause loss of driver control increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will install a diode wire assembly on the auxiliary start solenoid. the recall began on may 11, 2007. owners can contact winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Problem: Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis may have been equipped with incorrect steering intermediate shafts. the steering could become loose at the steering box during tight steering maneuvers.

Risk: This steering condition could result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Workhorse is conducting this recall (please see 06v148000) and will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering intermediate shaft. owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-294-6883 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.

Problem: On certain motor homes equipped with kwikee brand electric steps, the steps may have been manufactured with defective step control units.

Risk: The defective control units could develop an electrical short allowing for the potential of the plastic case to ignite, possibly resulting in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the kwikee step and replace the step control unit, if necessary, free of charge. the recall began on december 23, 2005. owners may contact winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Problem: On certain motor homes, the roof vent for the optional 4-door refrigerator was incorrectly located.

Risk: This can allow excessive heat buildup which has the potential to ignite surrounding materials, resulting in personal injury and/oi vehicle and property damage.

Fix: Dealers will relocate the roof vent. the recall began on september 9, 2005. owners may contact winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.

Problem: On certain motor homes built on a 20,700 gvwr or greater workhorse chassis, there may not be sufficient clearance in the area where the fuel line crosses the frame cross member.

Risk: Without clearance, a condition could develop where the cross member may wear into the fuel line and a fuel leak may develop. fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will repair these motor homes by providing clearance between the fuel line and frame cross member. the fuel line will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. the recall began january 7, 2005. owners should contact winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Problem: Certain seat belt buckles on some motor homes fail to conform to the load requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."

Risk: The seat belt buckle may unlatch in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury to the seat occupant.

Fix: Dealers will replace the buckles. the recall began on november 12, 2004. owners should contact amsafe at 1-574-266-8330 or winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.

Problem: On certain motor homes equipped with samsung microwave ovens, these units were produced with a defective panel. an electrical short can occur between circuit patterns on the membrane panel, especially overlapped by a "jumper" or jump wire. this may cause the oven to activate without pressing any key pads.

Risk: An electrical short can occur causing the oven to activate without pressing any key pads. this could result in excessive heat, smoke, or possibly a fire.

Fix: Samsung will notify customers and repair the panel free of charge. in the meantime, consumers should unplug their microwave, if possible. if the consumer is unable to unplug the microwave, they should leave the door ajar until the panel is replaced. consumers should never use the microwave oven for storage or leave any towels, paper, cloth or other products in the microwave after use. owners w