RoadVitals

1998 Rialta Rialta

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 Apr 27, 2001
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.
2
Latest Mar 4, 2004
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.
1
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 1998 Rialta Rialta, most frequently naming the tires & wheels, body & structure and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Tires & wheels360.0%
  • Body & structure120.0%
  • Suspension120.0%

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

2 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
04V107000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Mar 4, 2004
2,563 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS, THE ENGINE COOLING FANS COULD FRACTURE AND BREAK APART.
The risk: IF THE FAN FRACTURES OR BREAKS THIS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FANS USING A CRADLE ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH OR APRIL 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number WBView on NHTSA.gov
98V081000

TIRES

Apr 21, 1998
2,830 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRES. CERTAIN TIRES, WHEN INSTALLED ON THESE MOTOR HOMES, CAN EXPERIENCE PREMATURE TIRE DETERIORATION.
The risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE AND PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE CAN RESULT.
The remedy: DEALERS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH CONTINENTAL GENERAL TIRE, WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH NEW TIRES AND NEW VALVE STEMS. THE FRONT TIRES AND SPARE TIRE WILL BE THE SAME SIZE AS THE EXISTING TIRES. THE REAR TIRES WILL BE SIZE 215/70R15C AND HAVE A HIGHER LOAD RATING.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA03013ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FAILURE

Opened Aug 13, 2003
Closed Mar 11, 2004

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TWO ELECTRONIC COOLING FANS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE ENGINE RADIATOR.THE RIALTA MOTORHOME IS BUILT ON A VW EUROVAN INCOMPLETE CHASSIS AND SHARES THE SAME ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING FANS AS THE EUROVAN.DATA INDICATES THAT THE COOLING FAN BLADES FAIL PREDOMINATELY ON RIALTA VEHICLES IN MODEL YEARS (MY) 1998 THROUGH 2000.THESE VEHICLES ACCOUNT FOR 77 PERCENT OF THE WARRANTY, FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS FOR ALL MY 1996-2003 RIALTA VEHICLES.ALTHOUGH THE EUROVAN HAS THE SAME COOLING FANS AS THE RIALTA, IT ACCOUNTS FOR ONLY 17 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL EUROVAN AND RIALTA REPORTS.IN ITS FEBRUARY 11, 2004 DEFECT REPORT, VW STATED, THE AFFECTED WINNEBAGO RIALTA VEHICLES DIFFER FROM VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN VEHICLES THAT USE THE SAME COMPONENT DUE TO A SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED DUTY CYCLE OF THE COOLING FAN AND SERVICE METHODS THAT MAY AFFECT THE COOLING FAN.RIALTA VEHICLES ARE LARGER AND APPROXIMATELY 1,700 POUNDS HEAVIER THAN EUROVAN VEHICLES, AND THEREFORE THE COOLING FAN CAN SEE INCREASED DUTY CYCLES IN SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS SUCH AS DRIVING IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES OR IN STEEP MOUNTAINOUS AREAS.ACCORDINGLY, VW WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL ON THE 1998-2000 RIALTA POPULATION TO REPLACE THE COOLING FANS.THE COOLING FANS IN MY 1996 AND 1997 ARE A DIFFERENT DESIGN WITH A SMALLER FAN MOTOR AND BLADE.IN MODEL YEAR 2001 THE ENGINE SIZE WAS INCREASED FROM 140 HP TO 204 HP IN BOTH VEHICLES.THE LARGER ENGINE REDUCES THE DUTY CYCLE OF THE COOLING FAN IN SEVERE OPERATING CONDITIONS.VW WILL ALSO SEND TO OWNERS A WARNING LABEL TO AFFIX TO ALL RIALTA AND EUROVAN VEHICLES.THE LABEL ADVISES TECHNICIANS TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO APPLY FORCE ON THE COOLING FANS WHILE SERVICING THESE VEHICLES.VW WILL RECALL 2,563 MY 1998-2000 RIALTA VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF A TOTAL OF 138 WARRANTY, FIELD AND CONSUMER REPORTS FOR THESE VEHICLES.THE RECALL IS IDENTIFIED BY NHTSA NUMBER 04V-107.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FANLed to recall 04V107000

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 27, 2001

TREAD OR PLY SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES. (DOT NUMBER: 457 (1997) TIRESIZE: 215/70R15C)

NHTSA ID
744625
Incident
May 30, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 27, 2000

ORIGINAL TIRES RECALLED AND REPLACED AT 5300 MILES. BELT SEPARATION ON BOTH REPLACEMENT REAR TIRES AFTER 16,000 MILES. WINNEBAGO NOTIFIED JULY AND OCT 1998 OF OUR CONCERNS WITH REPLACEMENT TIRES. WE SUGGESTED ENGINEERING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. THEY RESPONDED THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE WHEELS ALIGNED. CONTINENTAL HAS REPLACED THE CONTRANS TIRES WITH THEIR VANCO TIRES. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT OTHERS ARE STILL DRIVING WITH THE DANGEROUS CONTRANS TIRES. WINNEBAGO SEEMS TOTALLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THIS SAFETY MATTER. THE BELT SEPARATION ON OUT TIRES WAS DISCOVERED BY ACCIDENT WHILE HAVING OUR VEHICLE SERVICED ON AN EXTENTED TRIP. THE MECHANICS AND TIRE SERVICE REPS ALL AGREED THAT WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT HAVE A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE HAS THAT ACCIDENT. (DOT NUMBER: LM8X 4574 TIRESIZE: 215/70R15C)

NHTSA ID
732674
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Tires & wheels
Filed May 22, 2000

VEHICLE HAD RECALL REPAIR WHICH INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES, HOWEVER AFTER REPLACEMENT ONE OF THE REAR TIRES BLEW OUT PREMATURELY. (98V-081) *MJS

NHTSA ID
552356
Incident
Jan 11, 2000
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 8, 1999

RIGHT AXLE FLANGE, SEALS, CENTER AXLE AND AXLE SUPPORT. RIGHT FRONT BUMPER LOOSE--REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
609784
Incident
Jun 7, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

0402

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR FAN DAMAGED CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY SUPPORTING THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WHEN REPAIRS REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE PIVOTED FORWARD. *TT

0401

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

RADIATOR FAN DAMAGED CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY SUPPORTING THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WHEN REPAIRS REQUIRE THE RADIATOR TO BE TIPPED FORWARD. *TT

7SB0010201A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SUBJECT REGARDING VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS OIL FILTER ACCESS IMPROVEMENT. *TT

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

Rialta Rialta by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005110—
2004332—
2003222—
2002432—
2001412—
2000611—
1999151141.8
1998Viewing421—
1997930—
1996620—
1995101034.7

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.