Winnebago BRAVE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
70 owner complaints analyzed
19 distinct recall campaigns
26,341 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 2018 model years. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 70 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 32 | 45.7% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.3% |
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 | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Structure | 5 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Parking Brake | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 3 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 10; Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 5; Structure: 5; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 4; Steering: 4; Parking Brake: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 32 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 2000: 2; 2001: 5; 2002: 12; 2003: 3; 2004: 6; 2005: 7; 2006: 2; 2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 3; 2010: 5; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 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 10576016 · 2014-03-31 (March 31, 2014)
VEHICLE COMPONENT DESIGN AND OPERATOR USAGE CONCERN: WHEN SHIFTING IN OR OUT OF LOW GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION W/ COLUMN SHIFT), DURING BEGINNING/COMPLETING A STEEP DESCENT, SHIFT LEVER SOMETIMES HITS THE IGNITION KEYS AND TURNS "OFF" THE IGNITION. THIS OCCURS, OCCASIONALLY, WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN TILT POSITION IS IN ONE OF THE TWO LOWEST POSITIONS. DUE TO ENGINE BRAKING EFFECT, SIMPLY TURNING THE IGNITION BACK "ON" KEEPS THE ENGINE RUNNING. IF IGNITION IS NOT TURNED BACK TO "ON" POSITION, STEERING AND BRAKING BECOME DIFFICULT. …
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10576016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 562290 · 2002-05-15 (May 15, 2002)
CONSUMER REQUESTS RECALL REPAIRS ON HIS P-30 CHASSIS MOTOR HOME WHICH IS ROLLING FORWARD WITH PARKING BRAKES APPLIED, CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER NOT TO PARK ON HILLS. *TT THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALER FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION SEALS WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE AUTO BRAKE SYSTEM NEVER WORKED. THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE SEALS, THE BRAKE SHOES AND ADJUSTED THE SYSTEM. FOR THE FIRST TIME, CONSUMER EXPLAINS, THE PARKING SYSTEM HOLDS. *JG
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 562290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969003 · 1995-07-18 (July 18, 1995)
STEERING, WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED HAVE NO CONTROL OVER STEERING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135559 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
DT: THE VEHICLE IS A RV, 2001 WINNEBAGO BRAVE WPF30W. THE IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE IN USE. THE ENGINE FAILURE THEN CAUSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KICK IN AUTOMATICALLY. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN AUGUST -2003, THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN JANUARY -2005, AND THE THIRD IT OCCURRED WAS ON 9-5-2005. THE MOST RECENT TIME IT OCCURRED THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED MULTIPLE T…
Owner-reported narrative. 24,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135559 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078999 · 2004-06-29 (June 29, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING AND ALL ELECTRICAL POWER CEASED. BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WERE RENDERED INOPERATIVE. WE COULD NOT GET ENTIRELY OFF THE ROAD SO NOT HAVING HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WAS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS WELL AS US. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF ELECTRICAL WIRE BURNING BUT NO FURTHER FIRE WAS FOUND. NEITHER THE CHASSIS OR COACH MANUFACTURE TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT HAVING A FAIL SAFE SYSTEM FOR BRAKE LIGHTS AND HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS NOT BEING OPPERATIONAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10092027 · 2004-09-14 (September 14, 2004)
BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN AND STALLING OCCURRED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION LINE WAS TOO SMALL FOR THE VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10092027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 747794 · 2001-07-10 (July 10, 2001)
THE MOTOHOME BROKE DOWN AND STALL WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELLING DUE TO GAS LINE CONNECTOR FAILURE,THAT RESULTED IN GAS LINE LEAKING. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 747794 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 5; 2003: 6; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 1
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1988 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1992 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1995 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
| 1996 | 0 | 3 | +1 |
| 1997 | 3 | 1 | -2 |
| 1998 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2000 | 9 | 6 | +5 |
| 2001 | 6 | 7 | +1 |
| 2002 | 16 | 5 | -2 |
| 2003 | 12 | 6 | +1 |
| 2004 | 7 | 5 | -1 |
| 2005 | 0 | 3 | -2 |
| 2006 | 0 | 1 | -2 |
| 2007 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 2014 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 2015 | 2 | 4 | +2 |
| 2016 | 0 | 3 | -1 |
| 2017 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 2018 | 0 | 1 | -1 |