2000 Winnebago Chieftain problems & recalls

Problem: Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. on some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.

Risk: Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the defective buckle assemblies.

Problem: Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. on some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.

Risk: Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the lap belts and, if necessary, replace it with a new belt assembly. owner notification began may 25, 2001. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact am-safe at 1-219-266-8330 or winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.

Problem: Certain motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerator cooling units model numbers 442, 443, 452, ev452, 453, 462, ev462, 463, ev463, 482, ev482, 483, ev483, 874, and 875. these refrigerators can experience a break down in a rubber seal within the gas valve. as the rubber seal ages, a leak may occur, allowing propane gas to accumulate in the burner area.

Risk: The consequence can result in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.

Fix: Norcold will notify its customers and provide a replacement gas valve free of charge. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact norcold service center at 1-800-667-3005 or winnebago at 641-585-3535.

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: 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.