RoadVitals

2003 Itasca Suncruiser

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
4
Latest Mar 25, 2010
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Oct 26, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser, most frequently naming the brakes and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes375.0%
  • Engine125.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Oct 26, 2010
18,461 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Jul 29, 2009
1,547 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Sep 14, 2005
1,367 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
The risk: THIS CAN ALLOW EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIALS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OI VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 96View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2010

I HAVE A 2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER WITH THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS THAT IS UNDER RECALL FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER PROBLEMS. I ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND TOOK IT TO PARKVIEW RV IN SMYRNA, DE. THEY REBUILT THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES, SEALS, CALIPERS, PADS AND SENSORS WHICH HAD MELTED. AT THE TIME THEY TOLD ME WORKHORSE WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE WORK. LAST WEEK I TOOK THE REPAIRED UNIT TO FLORIDA AND IN TAMPA HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SMOKING AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO PARKVIEW SO THEY CAN DOCUMENT THE NEW PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,000. FOR REPAIRS AND NOW IT APPEARS IT WILL ALL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN. I ONLY DROVE FOR 2,000 MILES AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS BAD AGAIN. I NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE INITIAL REPAIR AND A MORE PERMANENT FIX NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE UNIT. I HAVE A $85,000 RV I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN. THE WORKHORSE HELP LINE DIRECTS YOU TO A MAILBOX THAT IS FULL. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE ON THE LINE. IF NECESSARY I WILL SPEND REPAIR MONEY ON AN ATTORNEY TO GET THIS RESOLVED. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO WILL BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID
10321911
Incident
Mar 13, 2010
Mileage
27,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 26, 2008

BRAKE PROBLEM ON WORKHOUSE CHASSIS MOTORHOME. CALIPERS LOCKUP, APPARENTLY DO TO PINS. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. REPLACED ALL 4 ROTOR. 4CALIPERS.2 SETS BRAKE PADS, 4 OIL SEALS, 4 BRAKE HOSE,2 AXLE GASKETS. ALL AT A COST OF $3502.97 I HAVE ROTORS, CALIPERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252856
Incident
Aug 22, 2007
Mileage
18,674 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER RV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE RESTARTED IT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HIGHER THAN USUAL AND HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,944.

NHTSA ID
10241029
Incident
Aug 19, 2008
Mileage
15,944 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2005

2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER MOTORHOME EXPERIENCES STALLING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.*MR THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DRIVE 200 MILES BEFORE IT STALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE CRANK SENSORS REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10124726
Incident
Jun 1, 2005

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Itasca Suncruiser by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018030
2017030
2016060
2015050
2014030
2013150
2012030
2011030
2010120
2009030
2008030
2007430
2006231
2005560
2004630
2003Viewing450
2002220
2001320
2000320
1999420
1998020
1997220
1996110
1995220
1994100
1993010
1989130
1988310

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.