RoadVitals

2013 Itasca Sunstar

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.
1
Latest Jan 10, 2014
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.
3
Latest Dec 7, 2017
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 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2013 Itasca Sunstar, most frequently naming the exterior lighting, steering and suspension categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Exterior lighting133.3%
  • Steering133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%

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

3 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
17V782000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 7, 2017
17,360 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Winnebago Era, Travato, Minnie Winnie, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Brave, Vista, Sightseer, Adventurer, Forza, Journey, Tour, Revel, Paseo, Chalet, Access, and Intent motorhomes and Commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 Itasca Spirit, Navion, Cambria, Tribute, Sunstar, Sunova, Suncruiser, Solei, Meridian, Elipse, Horizon, Reyo, and Via motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. The recall began on January 19, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Winnebago Industries, IncView on NHTSA.gov
13V162000

EQUIPMENT

Apr 26, 2013
523 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Winnebago Access, Aspect, Sightseer, Vista, Adventurer, Forza and Itasca Impulse, Cambria, Sunova, Sunstar, Suncruiser motorhomes manufactured February 20, 2013, through April 25, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowningly become damaged. A damaged motor may lead to an unfurling of the awning.
The risk: If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began on July 17, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Winnebago Industries Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
12V057000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Feb 16, 2012
2,841 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WINNEBAGO AND ITASCA MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD F-53 CHASSIS. THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE ‘PRNDL’ DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.
The risk: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THEY ARE IN PARK OR REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Exterior lightingSteeringSuspension
Filed Jan 10, 2014

WE TOOK OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE VERDE VALLEY BETWEEN 9/7/13 AND 9/9/13. WE FOUND THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WINDY CONDITIONS. AFTER THAT TRIP, WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE ADVISED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE ALIGNED AND TIRES BALANCED. WHICH WE DID AND WE ALSO ADDED A STABILIZER BAR TO THE FRONT. OUR NEXT TRIP TO SHOW LOW WAS TAKEN 9/28/13 TO 10/7/13. WE FOUND NO NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE AND AT ONE POINT ALMOST LOST CONTROL WHEN ENCOUNTERING WINDS OF ABOUT 20MPH. HAD TO REDUCE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE TO 45MPH. THE OTHER ISSUE ENCOUNTERED WAS THE INABILITY TO SEE THE GAUGES, WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY. WE HAVE NOT USED THE VEHICLE SINCE. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEALER, WINNEBAGO AND FORD CHASSIS DIVISION. ACCORDING TO TWO (2) CERTIFIED SCALE TICKETS, ON TWO (2) SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE SCALED TOO LIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE, PER FORD SPECIFICATIONS. THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THAT CHASSIS ARE THAT A MINIMUM OF 35% OF THE OVERALL WEIGHT MUST BE OVER THE FRONT AXLE. THE OTHER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION ISSUE IS THAT THE DRIVER SIDE IS MUCH HEAVIER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. DURING THE FIRST SCALING, THE FRONT BINS WERE FULLY LOADED, THE REAR BINS WERE LIGHTLY LOADED (APPROX. 100LBS), THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL, THE FRESH WATER TANK WAS EMPTY AND THERE WAS NO TOW VEHICLE OR TOW DOLLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE SCALED AT 68LBS TOO LIGHT OVER THE FRONT AXLE. THE SECOND SCALING WAS COMPLETED FOR WINNEBAGO BY THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME, THE ONLY CHANGE IN CONDITION WAS THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 3/4 TANK OF GAS AND APPROXIMATELY 1/2 TANK OF WATER. WATER WAS ADDED, PER WINNEBAGO, AS A WAY TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WEIGHT FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE VEHICLE SCALED AT 377LBS TOO LIGHT OVER THE FRONT AXLE. WE ARE STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE AND VOLUNTEER IT FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559405
Incident
Oct 7, 2013
Mileage
2,300 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

63-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Service Campaign sent to Dealers and Customers outlining the procedure to inspect and reroute if necessary the motoraid hoses in the engine compartment. The hose may come in contact with the manifold.

63-02

EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; VISIBILITY

Service Bulletin sent to Dealers and Customers outlining instructions to replace the window run channel as the current channel can be forced into the frame causing the window to be loose or rattle.

62-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Service Bulletin sent to Dealers and Customers outlining the possibility that the house batteries may not be charging when the engine is running and details the procedure to inspect and correct.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Itasca Sunstar by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023020—
2022010—
2019100—
2018030—
2017140—
2016060—
2015160—
2014030—
2013Viewing130—
2012220—
2011040—
2010020—
2009050—
2008040—
2007040—
2006021—
2005010—
2004131—
2003021—
2002031—
2001020—
2000010—
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.