Winnebago Brave 2003

Model Brave made in 2003 by Winnebago got 13 consumer complains as well as 5 recalls. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to equipment and latches/locks/linkages. There were some recalls concerningequipment and fuel system, diesel.

Model 2003

Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
EQUIPMENT
09V300000WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.from 05/10/2001 to 03/26/2003V (Vehicle)154708/31/2009ODIWINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.07/29/200907/29/2009
Defect SummaryWinnebago 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.
Consequence SummaryIf 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.
Corrective SummaryWinnebago 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.
NotesOwners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
03V405000WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.from 05/01/2000 to 10/31/2003V (Vehicle)15337ODIWINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.10/16/200310/22/2003
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryAn 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.
Corrective SummarySamsung 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 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 samsung at 800-932-3837 or winnebago at 641-585-3535.
NotesCustomers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL - STORAGE - TANK ASSEMBLY
09V113000WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.from 11/05/2001 to 04/27/2006V (Vehicle)233105/05/2009MFRWINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.04/08/200904/07/2009
Defect SummaryWinnebago 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.
Consequence SummaryShould 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesWinnebago recall no. 112.owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov .
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE - DELIVERY - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
04V609000WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.from 08/06/2003 to 09/03/2004V (Vehicle)353801/07/2005MFRWINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.12/22/200412/28/2004
Defect SummaryOn 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.
Consequence SummaryWithout 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.
Corrective SummaryDealers 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.
NotesWinnebago recall no. 93. customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - SWITCHES - BRAKE WARNING
03V060000WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.from 08/01/1999 to 01/31/2003V (Vehicle)853204/25/2003MFRWINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.02/21/200302/25/2003571105 S5.3
Defect SummaryCertain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105,hydraulic and electric brake systems. the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by the standard.
Consequence SummaryIn some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the system warning indicator.
Corrective SummaryDealers will repair these vehicles. owner notification began april 25, 2003. 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 winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.
NotesWinnebago recall no. 88.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
EQUIPMENT
03/01/20033340101/31/2003
 Shower faucet installed in a 2003 itasca motor home model 32v is very difficult to operate. causing either cold or very hot burst of water to hit the person in the shower. the hot water caused a scalding the last time the shower was used. the faucet controls the water by a side to side motion that is about 1/2 in either direction. once set (even temperature) it only takes a slight movement to change the temperature. i know this is a minor complaint but a correction to the faucet really needs to be done. scalding is not minor. *jb
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER
07/25/200829109208/16/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 winnebago brave. five miles away from home, while driving 50 mph, the contact smelled a horrible burning smell and the vehicle became difficult to accelerate. a mechanic stated that both the front and rear calipers were burned, the compressor in the air conditioner was burned, and the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. the contact was informed that her vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v06000 (service brakes, hydraulic:switches:brake warning) and the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the failure mileage was 29,109. updated 10/08/08. *lj the ac failed due to a leak in lines. the serpentine belt was split. updated 10/10/08. *jb
EQUIPMENT - RECREATIONAL VEHICLE
01/16/20041
 The consumer received the wrong part for his samsung microwave. the consumer called the manufacturer and explained the mistake. the manufacturer indicated that they did not have the correct part at this moment and were not sure when it would be available. *nm
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES - DOORS - LATCH
09/04/2005110/28/2003
 The entry door lock is faulty to the point that we have been locked out of our rig over 20 times during our past trip! we ask suncoast of ocala to fix it before we traveled in dec. of 04 but found that it wasn't fixed when we took a month long trip this past september. we have contacted winnebago and have been told that our lock was not on any recall list so they can do nothing. they did have entry door locks recalled and we assume that ours must be a part of that as there are no parts available for this model any longer and to fix it a new lock has got to purchased from winnebago. we purchased our winnebago brave new in october of 03 and had not used it much before our recent trip. please help us to resolve this problem with winnebago. we are so thankful that our small grandchildren were not inside when we were unable to reenter the rig! i entered sep 4, 2005 because that was the day of our departure. the incidents were on going the entire month long trip. thank you, dottie and larry ryherd. *jb
PARKING BRAKE
08/15/200510800109/13/2002
 Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph, the parking brake warning light illuminated. the automatic parking brake failed, locked up and would not disengage. the brake was attempted to activate while the vehicle was in motion. the service dealer and manufacturer were notified.
SERVICE BRAKES
10/22/201255018
 Tl-the contact 2003 winnebago brave class a. the contact stated that after parking his vehicle he applied the parking brake. after exiting the vehicle he noticed that it started to roll backwards. he immediately got back into the vehicle and depressed on the brakes. the vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the switch for the parking brake was blown and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. the failure mileage was approximately 55,018. the current mileage was approximately 55,518. pmb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
10/01/2006250001
 I purchased a new winnebago brave motorhome in 2003 with a workhorse chassis. in october of 2006 i began feeling the steering wheel shake when i applied the brakes to the motorhome. i removed the front wheels and discovered huge cracks in the disc brake rotors. i replaced the front disc brake rotors and the disc pads on 10-31-2006 (i have receipt). i also discovered, while replacing the brake parts, that the calipers were binding at the slide pin. i cleaned the pins and applied some white lithium grease so the calipers would move smoothly again. approximately 1 and a half years later i discovered the same problem with the rear brake rotors and binding of the rear caliper. on 03-10-2008, i replaced the rear rotors and brake pads. i also lubricated the rear caliper pins. the cost of the replacement parts were approximately $600(i did the labor myself). last weekend (02-22-2009) i saw that the left rear caliper was leaking from the piston boot. i called the dealer again and asked them for a price of a caliper rebuild kit. the dealer told me that the calipers could not be repaired and had to be replaced with new calipers. i also noticed that the brake fluid in the master cylinder had gelled from the extreme heat of the brake system. at this point i was completely disappointed with the brake system of the motorhome. almost every part will need to be replaced. i looked up my problem on the internet and discovered that many other people have had the same problem with workhorse chassis between 2001-2005 i called the manufacturer of the chassis, workhorse and explained the problem with their product. they told me that they were not responsibility for the brake problem because my motorhome did not have a vin # that was part of their recall. even though it fell in the 2001-2003 year. the tech manager at workhorse, greg did not want to help me with the repair of my motorhome and did not want to disclose any information regarding other motorhomes with similar problems. *tr
12/20/2008250001
 While driving my 2003 winnebago on a workhorse chassis through austin texas on a high traffic evening i had a bad overheating problem in the front brakes to the point that both wheels were smoking. i pulled off the road and waited hours for the brakes to release so that i could proceed to my destination. after reading the blogs on various sites i am sure that i am experiencing the same problem that other workhorse chassis owners are having. i know that i am looking at a big repair bill that will not necessarily solve my problem... please lets get to the bottom of this situation. i don't have a dollar amount on repairs yet. thanks *tr
08/18/200827612110/17/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 winnebago brave. the contact stated that there was a defect with the workhorse chassis. while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact heard a loud squealing noise and the brakes locked abruptly. prior to this failure, the abs warning light illuminated on the instrument panel and remained so until the engine was turned off. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they stated that the malfunction was related to the bosh brake calipers. the vehicle was repaired. the vin was excluded from the recall, although the failures were identical. the failure mileage was 27,612 and current mileage was 27,631. updated 10/14/08 *bf the consumer was informed that the calipers were sticking or ocking up which was caused by extreme heat which damaged the rotors and pads. updated 10/15/08 *jb
07/25/200829109208/16/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 winnebago brave. five miles away from home, while driving 50 mph, the contact smelled a horrible burning smell and the vehicle became difficult to accelerate. a mechanic stated that both the front and rear calipers were burned, the compressor in the air conditioner was burned, and the serpentine belt needed to be replaced. the contact was informed that her vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 03v06000 (service brakes, hydraulic:switches:brake warning) and the vehicle was no longer under warranty. the failure mileage was 29,109. updated 10/08/08. *lj the ac failed due to a leak in lines. the serpentine belt was split. updated 10/10/08. *jb
STRUCTURE
09/10/200827631110/17/2003
 Tl*the contact owns a 2003 winnebago brave. the contact noticed the level of the propane tank and discovered that the frame was disengaged from the bracket. the bracket was damaged. the failure occurred without prior warning. at this time, the vehicle has not been taken to the authorized dealer and repaired. the contact was unable to drive the vehicle and is concerned of the safety risk involved. the failure and current mileages were 27,631. updated 10/14/08. *lj updated 10/16/08. *jb

Car dealers selling


StateCityZipNamePhone
AZMESA85210LAMESA RV480-615-5000
FLOCALA34480SUNCOAST RV352-351-1374
FLTAMPA33584LAZY DAYS866-317-4013
MNDULUTH55811BULLYAN RV218-729-9111
SCCOLUMBIALOVE CHEVEROLET803-794-9001