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2003 Itasca SUNOVA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

4 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

9,800 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior375.0%
Electrical and battery issues125.0%
Steering behavior125.0%

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.

Electrical System
2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock
1
Parking Brake
1
Service Brakes
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Tires
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System2
Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash1
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock1
Parking Brake1
Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Tires1

Electrical System: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Trunk Lid:Lock: 1; Parking Brake: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Tires: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
4
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0004
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (4). 0 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.

2004
1
2011
2
2012
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20041
20112
20121

2004: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10071887 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. ALSO ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. *LA THE PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWED: FRAYED VALVE STEM EXTENDER, GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE STORAGE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM REPAIR AND WITHIN TWO MILES, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND ANOTHER TIRE HAD A BULDGE. ONE HUNDRED AND TEN M…

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10071887 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 10384767 · 2011-02-28 (February 28, 2011)

BRAKE FAILURE ITASCA RV. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10384767 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 ↗

Recall history

7 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V049000 · Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire

Reported: 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MODEL D30B MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD CHASSIS, A PLATE, WHICH IS USED TO SUPPORT THE SPARE TIRE, WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT OFF A NUMBER OF THESE MOTOR HOMES.

Consequence: WITHOUT THIS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, THE SPARE TIRE COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SUPPORT PLATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 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 1-641-585-6939.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V060000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp

Reported: 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)

CERTAIN 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: IN 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.

Remedy: DEALERS 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V243000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer

Reported: 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, WHEN THE COOKING RANGE AND FURNACE ARE OPERATING AT THE SAME TIME, THE FLAME ON THE COOKING RANGE COULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD OVER THE BURNER OR FLAME OUTAGE COULD OCCUR. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FURNACE AND COOKING RANGE WHEREBY THE FURNACE MAY DRAW AIR IN FROM ABOVE THE RANGE BURNERS AND CAUSE A DOWNDRAFT.

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE FLAME MAY GO OUT, AND THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN AIR RESTRICTOR PANEL UNDER THE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V405000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer

Reported: 2003-10-16 (October 16, 2003)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V358000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer

Reported: 2004-07-19 (July 19, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, MODELS MR1031WB, MR1032BB, MR1033SB, MR1351WB, AND MR1352BB, THE MICROWAVES 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: 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.

Remedy: 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 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 1-800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V609000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
10V525000 · Equipment

Reported: 2010-10-26 (October 26, 2010)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗