2003 Winnebago SIGHTSEER: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE MOTORHOME TO A DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049997 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING OVER 50 MPH VEHICLE SWERVED AND BOUNCED ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, AND CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS HANDLING NORMALLY. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057942 at NHTSA ↗

NUMEROUS DEFECTS INVOLVING 2003 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. *MR PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, SLIDE OUT LEAK BEHIND THE DRIVER SEAT, COMPARTMENT TO LEFT OF THE ENTRY DOOR LEAKED, UNDER THE SLID OUT LEAKED, DINING CUSHION WAS COMING APART, THE DRIVER'S SEAT NOT ALIGNED SQUARELY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL, CHASSIS A/C DIDN'T GET COLD, KITCHEN SINK HAD A CRACK, KITCHEN FAUCET LEAKED, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE SENSOR DIDN'T WORK, THE LEAK IN THE BACK CORNER ON THE DRIVER;S SIDE, THE FRONT DRAPES WATER STAINED ON DELIVERY, ENTRY DO…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10092757 at NHTSA ↗

DROVE MOTORHOME FOR 1.25 HRS. TO DELIVER FOR REPAIR OF GENERATOR WHICH WAS NOT WORKING. UNIT APPROXIMATELY 8 MONTHS OLD - STILL UNDER WARRANTY. ON ARRIVAL AT DEALER, ATTEMPTED TO PUT DOWN HYDRAULIC JACKS. FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA FROM LEAK ON HYDRAULIC LINE THAT BROKE DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT. THIS WAS CONFIRMED ON 10-5-04 BY INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTOR. UNIT HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE HYDRAULIC JACK SYSTEM, STARTING ON 4-30-04 TO PRESENT.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 5,738 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093652 at NHTSA ↗

BOUGHT 2003 WINNEBAGO/ SIGHTSEER MODEL 30B LEFTOVER FROM MEYERS SUPER STORE IN NEW YORK ON FEBRUARY 14, 2004. SINCE THEN HAVE HAD NUMEROUS DEFECTS ON UNIT. HYDRAULIC JACKS FAILED ON FIRST TRIP- LEAK ON JACK AT FITTING, JACK WOULD NOT RETRACT. TAKEN FOR SERVICE, COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. SERVICE DEALER REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS IN FIVE TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP (MANIFOLD REPLACED; SOLENOID REPLACED; SWITCHED WIRES; REPLACED SWITCH BOX INSIDE UNIT - TOUCHPAD). LEFT REAR JACK STILL DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK IN UNISON WITH OTHER JACKS WHEN USED. SECOND TRI…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,738 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093842 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE LOADED AND TAKEN IN FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT. WHILE HAVING THE FRONT END ALIGNED, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FRONT LINKAGES, IDLER ARM AND RELAY SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THE PARTS MIGHT NOT BE HEAVY ENOUGH FOR THE VEHICLE AND COULD FAIL AGAIN. UPDATED 08/25/06. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 11,744 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163985 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE DEALER DISCONNECTED THE SPEED CONTROL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE UNTIL THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2008. THE CONTACT WAS DISSATISFIED WITH THE REMEDY AND THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,500. UPDATED 11/06/07 *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10205948 at NHTSA ↗

PREPARING TO GO CAMPING, I STARTED MY WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER AND POSITIONED IT TO ATTACH MY TOWED VEHICLE. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AT THAT POINT. AFTER COMPLETING THE HITCHING PROCEDURE, I ATTEMPTED TO START MY RV. IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL TRUCK DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND "THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND ONE CONNECTOR WAS BURNT." THEY CALLED WINNEBAGO AND "FOUND THAT THERE WAS AN UPDATE RELAY HARNESS FOR THIS PROBLEM" WHICH THEY ORDERED AN INSTALLED. ALTHOUGH THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS A RECURRING PROBLEM (OTHERWISE WHY AN UP…

Owner-reported narrative. 37,382 miles reported. Look up ODI 10234920 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Reported: 2009-05-28 (May 28, 2009)

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

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.