Model year record

1998 Winnebago Chieftain recalls & problems

The 1998 Winnebago Chieftain has 3 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is parking brake (2 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints4filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 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.

EquipmentDec 3, 2002

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 02V276006631 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.
Risk: THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.

Fuel system, otherJan 26, 1998

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V015000741 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A LIQUID PROPANE (LP) HOSE WAS INSTALLED IN THE RANGE BURNER BOX. THE ELEVATED TEMPERATURE THE HOSE IS EXPOSED TO INSIDE THIS BOX CAN PREMATURELY AGE THE HOSE CAUSING A POSSIBLE LP LEAK.
Risk: LP GAS LEAKAGE COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE FLEXIBLE HOSE OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE BOX.

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	Typical mileage*
Parking brake	2	—
Fuel system, gasolineCarburetor system	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads	1	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Parking brake
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
Mar 12, 1998
Parking brake
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
Mar 25, 1998 · 1,767 miles
Unknown or other
CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MONOXIDE CARBON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS
Oct 28, 2002
Fuel system, gasoline › Carburetor system
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE AIR FILTER INTAKE PULLS WATER INTO THE AIR FILTER CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND RUN POORLY, UNABLE TO FIND CORRECTION FOR CONDITION AT THIS TIME. MJS
Jul 20, 1999

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