Winnebago Brave problems & recalls
NHTSA records for 1990–2018: 19 recall campaigns and 75 owner complaints. Pick a model year.
By year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 2 |
| 1993 | 1 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 | 5 |
| 1995 | 2 | 3 |
| 1996 | 3 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 3 |
| 1998 | 1 | 4 |
| 1999 | 1 | 4 |
| 2000 | 6 | 9 |
| 2001 | 7 | 6 |
| 2002 | 5 | 16 |
| 2003 | 6 | 12 |
| 2004 | 5 | 7 |
| 2005 | 3 | 0 |
| 2006 | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 4 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 |
What owners complain about (all years)
Recent recalls
Exterior Lighting #26V177000 · 2026 · 1,446 units
Problem: Winnebago industries, inc. (winnebago) is recalling certain 2017 brave, 2019 itasca sunova, 2019-2022 adventurer, and 2022 sunstar motorhomes. the front turn signals may have a smaller than required luminous lens area. as such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: A small lens can make it difficult for other drivers to see the turn signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. owner notification letters were mailed may 8, 2026. owners may contact winnebago customer care at 1-800-537-1885. winnebago's number for this recall is 203.
Exterior Lighting #24V733000 · 2024 · 17,329 units
Problem: Winnebago industries, inc. (winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2017 tour, 2013-2018 journey, 2014-2022 forza, 2015-2016 brave, 2015-2019 grand tour, 2015-2021 vista, 2016-2018 adventurer, sightseer, 2016-2021 commercial vehicle, 2018-2021 intent, sunstar, 2018-2020 horizon, itasca 2013-2017 ellipse, meridian, 2014-2017 solei, 2015-2016 tribute, 2015-2018 sunstar, 2016-2018 suncruiser, and sunova motorhomes. the turn signals may have a smaller than required luminous lens area. as such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: A small lens can make it difficult for other drivers to see the turn signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. owner notification letters were mailed april 17, 2026. owners may contact winnebago customer care at 1-800-537-1885. winnebago's number for this recall is 189.
Equipment #17V782000 · 2017 · 17,360 units
Problem: Winnebago industries, inc. (winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 winnebago era, travato, minnie winnie, fuse, view, trend, aspect, brave, vista, sightseer, adventurer, forza, journey, tour, revel, paseo, chalet, access, and intent motorhomes and commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 itasca spirit, navion, cambria, tribute, sunstar, sunova, suncruiser, solei, meridian, elipse, horizon, reyo, and via motorhomes. these vehicles are equipped with kidde plastic-handle or push button 'pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. additionally, in certain models, the
Risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. the recall began on january 19, 2018. owners may contact winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "product safety recall" for more information.
Power Train #15V664000 · 2015 · 297 units
Problem: Winnebago industries, inc (winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 winnebago brave, sightseer, vista and adventurer motorhomes and itasca tribute, sunova, sunstar, and suncruiser motorhomes manufactured from july 13, 2015, through october 6, 2015. the affected vehicles, built on ford chassis, can be shifted out of 'park' without applying the brakes, due to an incorrect shift cable bracket and an improper shift cable adjustment.
Risk: If the vehicle can be shifted into reverse without the brakes being applied, the vehicle may unintentionally move, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and ford dealers will replace the transmission shift control bracket and adjust the transmission shift cable, free of charge. the recall began on november 12, 2015. owners may contact winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535 or ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Latches/Locks/Linkages #15V510000 · 2015 · 3,307 units
Problem: Winnebago industries, inc. (winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 winnebago vista, brave, trend, minnie winnie, and itasca sunstar, tribute, viva!, and spirit vehicles manufactured march 18, 2013, to november 18, 2014. due to a manufacturing issue, the deadbolt locks installed on the vehicles may become stuck in a locked position.
Risk: A stuck deadbolt could potentially trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair deadbolts as needed, free of charge. winnebago issued an interim notification to owners on august 21, 2015. the recall began on november 4, 2015. owners may contact winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or trimark customer service at 1-641-394-3188.
Equipment #10V525000 · 2010 · 18,461 units
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.
Equipment #09V300000 · 2009 · 1,547 units
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.
Fuel System, Diesel #09V113000 · 2009 · 2,331 units
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.
Equipment #08V265000 · 2008 · 930 units
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.
Fuel System, Gasoline #04V609000 · 2004 · 3,538 units
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.
Seat Belts #04V608000 · 2004 · 6,201 units
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.
Equipment #03V405000 · 2003 · 15,337 units
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
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