RoadVitals

2003 Itasca Sunova

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 Oct 18, 2012
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.
7
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Itasca Sunova, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and interior & seats categories. 7 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

  • Brakes342.9%
  • Electrical228.6%
  • Interior & seats114.3%
  • Tires & wheels114.3%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
10V525000

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
04V609000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 22, 2004
3,538 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 93View on NHTSA.gov
04V358000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jul 19, 2004
5,645 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, MODELS MR1031WB, MR1032BB, MR1033SB, MR1351WB, AND MR1352BB, THE MICROWAVES 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.
The 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.
The remedy: 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 1-800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY PULLING TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES WERE OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO STICK AND THE HYDRO BOOST TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,600.

NHTSA ID
10481018
Incident
Oct 11, 2012
Mileage
12,600 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 28, 2011

BRAKE FAILURE ITASCA RV. *TR

NHTSA ID
10384767
Incident
Jan 4, 2011
Mileage
9,800 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Feb 28, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER WAITING A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL MODULE. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,800. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

NHTSA ID
10384757
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
9,800 mi
Interior & seatsTires & wheels
Filed Jun 29, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. ALSO ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. *LA THE PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWED: FRAYED VALVE STEM EXTENDER, GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE STORAGE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM REPAIR AND WITHIN TWO MILES, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND ANOTHER TIRE HAD A BULDGE. ONE HUNDRED AND TEN MILES LATER, ANOTHER TIRE BLEW, FOURS HOURS LATER IT WAS REPLACED AND AFTER STOPPING FOR GAS, ANOTHER TIRE WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A FLAT. THREE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THERE TWO FLAT TIRES WITH NO SIGN OF CAUSE. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10071887
Incident
Nov 18, 2003
Mileage
100 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Itasca Sunova by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019010—
2018030—
2017030—
2016060—
2015140—
2014040—
2013140—
2012030—
2011120—
2010020—
2009050—
2008040—
2007160—
2006271—
2005240—
2004160—
2003Viewing470—
2002240—
2001030—
2000020—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—

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.