Model year record

2003 Winnebago Brave recalls & problems

The 2003 Winnebago Brave has 6 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (4 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls

Complaints12filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentOct 26, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10V52500018,461 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 29, 2009

Equipment

Recall 09V3000001,547 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
Risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

Fuel system, dieselApr 8, 2009

Storage › Tank assembly

Recall 09V1130002,331 vehicles

Problem: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 2,331 MY 2002-2004 BRAVE AND ITASCA SUNRISE MY 2005 2006 WINNEBAGO VOYAGE, ADVENTURER, ITASCA SUNRISE AND SUNCRUISER MOTOR HOMES. THE PROPANE TANK MOUNTING BRACKET MAY HAVE AN INCOMPLETE OR IMPROPER WELD.
Risk: SHOULD THE WELD FAIL, THE PROPANE TANK CAN TIP OR FALL, POSSIBLY RELEASING PROPANE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITEA FIRE, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND PROPERLY WELD THE BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 800-537-1885.

Fuel system, gasolineDec 22, 2004

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V6090003,538 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentOct 16, 2003

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 03V40500015,337 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 21, 2003

Brake fluid low warning › Lamp

Recall 03V0600008,532 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic	4	0	26,306 mi
EquipmentRecreational vehicle/trailer; Appliance › Air conditioner	3	2	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	—
Parking brake	1	0	—
Structure	1	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	—
Electrical system	1	0	—
Visibility/wiper	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Visibility/wiper
MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ONLY HAS 9800 MILES ON IT AND IS KEPT UNDER SHELTER. OBVIOUSLY IT HAS HAD LITTLE USE. THERE IS A WINDSHIELD LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH RUST PARTICLES FALLING ON THE DASH. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE WINNEBAGO/ ITASCA CLASS A MOTORHOMES. I SUSPECT THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO RECALL AND HELP CUSTOMERS WITH WHAT COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY FEAR IS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY,HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND HAVING THAT WINDSHIELD FALL IN ON MY WIFE OR ON THE HIGHWAY, NOT TO MENTION THE WATER DAMAGE OR MOLD POTENTIAL. THIS IS MY 3RD WINNEBAGO. I BOUGHT IT NEW AT A COST OF OVER…
Aug 10, 2018
Electrical system
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.
May 2, 2017 · 70,462 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE CLASS A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HIS VEHICLE HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. HE IMMEDIATELY GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE PARKING BRAKE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,018. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,518.
Oct 22, 2012 · 55,018 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
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. APPROXIMATELY 1 AND A HALF YEARS LATER I DISCOVERED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND BINDING OF THE REAR CALIPER. ON 03-10-2008, I…
Oct 1, 2006 · 25,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS THROUGH AUSTIN TEXAS ON A HIGH TRAFFIC EVENING I HAD A BAD OVERHEATING PROBLEM IN THE FRONT BRAKES TO THE POINT THAT BOTH WHEELS WERE SMOKING. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND WAITED HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO RELEASE SO THAT I COULD PROCEED TO MY DESTINATION. AFTER READING THE BLOGS ON VARIOUS SITES I AM SURE THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER WORKHORSE CHASSIS OWNERS ARE HAVING. I KNOW THAT I AM LOOKING AT A BIG REPAIR BILL THAT WILL NOT NECESSARILY SOLVE MY PROBLEM... PLEASE LETS GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS SITUATION. I DON'T HAVE A DOLLAR AMOUNT ON REPAIRS YET. THANKS *TR
Dec 20, 2008 · 25,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE AND THE BRAKES LOCKED ABRUPTLY. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED SO UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE MALFUNCTION WAS RELATED TO THE BOSH BRAKE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,612 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,631. UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE…
Aug 18, 2008 · 27,612 miles
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LEVEL OF THE PROPANE TANK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE BRACKET. THE BRACKET WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,631. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Sep 10, 2008 · 27,631 miles
Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner
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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,109. UPDATED 10/08/08. *LJ THE AC FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN LINES. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS SPLIT. UPDATED 10/10/08. *JB
Jul 25, 2008 · 29,109 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.