2011 Itasca SUNSTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2010-09-01 (September 1, 2010)

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 VISTA AND ITASCA SUNSTAR MOTOR HOMES MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 16, 2010 THROUGH AUGUST 12, 2010. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A CABLE THAT POWERS THE SLIDEOUT ROOM TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHEN THE SLIDEOUT IS RETRACTED.

Consequence: IF THIS CABLE MAKES CONTACT WITH THE DRIVESHAFT, IT COULD WEAR THE PROTECTIVE JACKET AND INSULATION OFF THE CABLE EXPOSING THE CONDUCTORS TO THE DRIVESHAFT AND ELECTRIFYING THE CHASSIS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A DRIVESHAFT CLOSEOUT PANEL BETWEEN THE CHASSIS FRAME RAILS TO PROTECT AND SUPPORT THE WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.

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.

Reported: 2012-02-16 (February 16, 2012)

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WINNEBAGO AND ITASCA MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD F-53 CHASSIS. THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE ‘PRNDL’ DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.

Consequence: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THEY ARE IN PARK OR REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WINNEBAGO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-641-585-6939.

Reported: 2013-07-22 (July 22, 2013)

Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2011 Vista and Itasca Sunstar motorhomes manufactured June 30, 2010, through June 16, 2011. The vehicles have an incorrect tire inflation pressures and wheel rim sizes on the Vehicle Certification Label. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 567, "Certification."

Consequence: Incorrect tire pressures or tire size may lead to a tire failure, which could result in a loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Winnebago will notify owners and mail corrected Vehicle Certification Labels to the owners, free of charge. The recall began on September 9, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885 or or@winnebagoind.com. Winnebago's campaign number is 129.