Winnebago CHIEFTAIN problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
29,605 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 19 complaints (15.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 15.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 3 |
| Parking Brake | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 3; Parking Brake: 2; Tires: 2; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 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). 10 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 4; 2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10101366 · 2004-12-27 (December 27, 2004)
WHILE PARKED AND EMERGENCY AND WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED IT DISENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF CONTROL. *AK THE BRAKE PADS HAD BURNED OUT WITH NO WARNING. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,767 miles reported. Look up ODI 10101366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10109332 · 2004-12-29 (December 29, 2004)
PARK BRAKE SYSTEM IS PERIODICALLY ADJUSTED, IF NOT FULLY ENGAGE, ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FOUND RESERVOIR FOR THE FLUID EMPTY AND THE CONVERTER TO THE PUMP WAS FLUID OF FLUID AND NOT MAKING CONNECTIONS, ALSO THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. A NEW SWITCH, DRUMS SHOES AND SHAFT WERE REPLACED, HOWEVER IN APRIL 2001, THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE FRONT BRAKE SHOE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10109332 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139250 · 2005-10-11 (October 11, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD OF MOTOR HOME. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE CABLE HARNESS. FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND A REPORT WAS TAKEN. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET. MANUFACTURER TOOK INFORMATION AND OFFERED NO HELP AT THEIR EXPENSE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161297 · 2006-07-03 (July 3, 2006)
I DOWNLOADED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V246111, WHICH REFERS TO A DEFECT IN THE STEERING LINKAGE ON MY 1999 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME WHICH IS BUILT ON A 1999 FORD HEAVY DUTY CHASSIS. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO LOCAL FORD DEALERS, FORD'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, FORD'S TRUCK CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY ALL CLAIM THAT NO SUCH PROBLEM EXISTS, AND NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN ISSUED. THE PERSON TAKING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT FILED BY PHONE (NHTSA ODI#10160922) MIS-CHARACTERI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10161297 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 |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 2 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1996: 2; 1997: 2; 1998: 3; 1999: 3; 2000: 5; 2001: 4; 2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 3; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 1