RoadVitals

2002 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 Oct 1, 2007
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 Oct 16, 2003
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.
2
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 2002 Rialta Rialta, most frequently naming the engine, fuel system and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name 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

  • Engine240.0%
  • Fuel system120.0%
  • Powertrain (other)120.0%
  • 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

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
03V405000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Oct 16, 2003
15,337 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE UNITS 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 800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
02V153000

TRAILER HITCHES

Jun 12, 2002
229 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, AN IMPROPERLY MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE MOTOR HOMES. THE TRAILER HITCH MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED FASTENERS ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HOME.
The risk: IF THE HITCH IS UTILIZED, IT COULD STRESS THE EXISTING FASTENERS. A CONDITION COULD EXIST THAT WOULD SHEAR OR LOOSEN THE REMAINING FASTENER CAUSING THE HITCH TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCH, AND IF NECESSARY, ADD OR REPLACE THE MOUNTING HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 21, 2002. 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 WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
01V298000

WHEELS:HUB

Sep 15, 2001
396 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES (MODELS 222FD, 222QD, AND 222HD). THE WHEEL COVER CAN ROTATE WHILE MOUNTED ON THE WHEEL.
The risk: IF THE COVER ROTATES TO THE VALVE STEM, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT COULD SHEAR THE VALVE STEM OFF, LEADING TO A RAPID DEFLATION OF THE TIRE. THIS RAPID TIRE AIR LOSS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RUBBER VALVE STEMS AND WHEEL COVERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 18, 2001. 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 WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA08002ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE

Opened Jan 4, 2008
Closed Mar 14, 2008

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS AND ARE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AS RQ 07-002 AFTER RECEIVING FOUR CONSUMER REPORTS OF FAN BLADE FAILURE ON MODEL YEAR 2002 WINNEBAGO RIALTA AND VISTA VEHICLES.AS A RESULT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN RESPONSE TO RQ 07-002, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) 08-002.THE SCOPE OF THE EA INVESTIGATION WAS ALSO EXPANDED TO COVER MODEL YEARS 2001 THROUGH 2004 RIALTA AND VISTA, 2002 THROUGH 2004 SUNSTAR, AND 2001 THROUGH 2003 EUROVAN.ALL OF THESE VEHICLES UTILIZE THE SAME ENGINE COOLING FAN.HOWEVER, THE WINNEBAGO VEHICLES ARE LARGER AND HEAVIER THAN THE EUROVAN.AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE COOLING FAN WOULD OPERATE MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINNEBAGO VEHICLES COMPARED TO THE EUROVAN FOR THE SAME ON-ROAD OPERATING CONDITIONS.ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE DATA CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT IT PREDOMINATELY AFFECTS THE MY 2002 WINNEBAGO MODELS.WINNEBAGO ACCOUNTS FOR 79% OF ALL THE REPORTS, BUT REPRESENTS ONLY 23% OF THE TOTAL SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE MAJORITY OF THE WINNEBAGO REPORTS ARE FOR THE MODEL YEAR 2002 (64%).THE DATA SHOW A DECLINING REPORT TREND, PARTICULARLY FOR THE 2002 WINNEBAGO.REPORTS ON THE 2002 WINNEBAGO REACHED A HIGH OF 11 REPORTS IN CALENDAR YEAR 2005, DROPPING TO THREE REPORTS IN 2006,TWO REPORTS IN 2007, AND ONE REPORT IN 2008.AN EXISTING SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RQ07002ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE

Opened Sep 5, 2007
Closed Jan 4, 2008

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FOUR REPORTSALLEGING FAILURE OF AN ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THREE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE FAN DISINTEGRATED AND TWO OF THE THREE ALLEGED THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT.THE FOURTH COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING AND OVERHEATING.WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTED THAT PIECES OF THE FAN WERE MISSING.ALL FOUR VEHICLES WERE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS.TWO OF THE VEHICLES ARE RIALTA MODELS AND TWO ARE VISTA MODELS.BASED ONADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TOENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA 08-002 FOR FURTHER STUDY.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 1, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO RIALTA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE THEN OVERHEATED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL COOLING FAN BLADES FRACTURED AND SEPARATED, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V107000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,550. UPDATED 10/24/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204585
Incident
Sep 4, 2007
Mileage
14,400 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Dec 2, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH SPINDLE AND AXLE BROKE OFF. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE VEERED ACROSS THE MEDIAN INTO AN EMBANKMENT. CONSUMER IS STILL AWAITING FOR VEHICLE PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE.*AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10049915
Incident
Nov 28, 2003
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 8, 2003

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE COOLING FAN. *MR THERE WAS AN ENGINE NOISE ALONG WITH SHAKING, VIBRATIONS, AND THE SECTION OF THE FAN ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS FOUND MISSING. BOTH OF THE COOLING FANS WERE REPLACED. (THE FINS WERE CRACKED) WINNEBAGO/RIALTA *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10038386
Incident
Jul 8, 2003
Mileage
7,449 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 2, 2002

FUEL GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY, WHEN THERE IS 1/4 TANK THE GAUGE READS 3/4. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE, WINNEBAGO AND VOLKSWAGEN CANNOT DECIDE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.*JB THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED WRONG READING BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. *YH

NHTSA ID
8009016
Incident
Apr 23, 2002

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

VJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THE RADIATOR FANS CAN BE DAMAGED IF THE PROPER TOOL IS NOT USED TO HOLD THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY IN THE SERVICE POSITION. SERVICE ACTION TO ALERT SERVICE PERSONNEL BY AFFIXING A RADIATOR FAN SERVICE POSITION WARNING LABEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *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

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—
2002Viewing432—
2001412—
2000611—
1999151141.8
1998421—
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.