Itasca SUNOVA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
15 owner complaints analyzed
28 distinct recall campaigns
9,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 15 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 40.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 13.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
Tires: 3; Electrical System: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2018: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10587143 · 2014-05-07 (May 7, 2014)
MOTOR HOME SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AT 55 MPH. LOSS OF BRAKES, STEERING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN-TOWED TO SERVICE. CRANK CASE SENSOR FAILURE! THIS SAME SITUATION OCCURRED AGAIN YESTERDAY AFTER BEING REPAIRED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM! WORKHORSE 2002 ITASCA. ONCE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT! TWICE IS NOT! SOMEONE WILL GET HURT PENDING WHERE THEY ARE AT WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I WAS LUCKY TWICE! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10587143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10384757 · 2011-02-28 (February 28, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER WAITING A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL MODULE. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,800. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10481018 · 2012-10-18 (October 18, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY PULLING TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES WERE OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO STICK AND THE HYDRO BOOST TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10481018 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2003: 7; 2004: 6; 2005: 4; 2006: 7; 2007: 6; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 3; 2013: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 4; 2016: 6; 2017: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 1