2003 Winnebago BRAVE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
27,612 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 12 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 50.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Electrical System: 1; Equipment: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 1; Parking Brake: 1; Service Brakes: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2008: 3; 2009: 2; 2012: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 10172531 · 2006-11-03 (November 3, 2006)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10237172 · 2008-08-06 (August 6, 2008)
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 F…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,109 miles reported. Look up ODI 10237172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10986024 · 2017-05-16 (May 16, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND HESITATE BEFORE SUDDENLY STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. DURING THE INCIDENT, AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES CONNECTING THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE FAULTY AND A PROTECTION KIT WAS INSTALLED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,462.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,462 miles reported. Look up ODI 10986024 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10260267 · 2009-02-28 (February 28, 2009)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10260267 at NHTSA ↗