RoadVitals

1997 Ultimate Advantage

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 Jul 8, 2002
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 Dec 3, 2002
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 1997 Ultimate Advantage, most frequently naming the tires & wheels category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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 & wheels1100.0%

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
02V276006

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Dec 3, 2002
631 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.
The risk: THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.View on NHTSA.gov
00V378000

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Dec 4, 2000
87 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE FRONT AXLE AND/OR FRONT TIRES CAN ENCOUNTER UNEQUAL SIDE-TO-SIDE LOADING DUE TO INAPPROPRIATE LOADING OR THE VEHICLE'S LEVELING DEVICE BECOMING IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, ONE OR MORE OF THE FRONT AXLE COMPONENTS COULD FAIL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PERSONAL INJURY.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CORRECT THIS OVERLOADING CONDITION BY REPLACING DEFECTIVE COMPONENTS INCLUDING TIRES, WHERE NECESSARY.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 77View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 8, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, 10 MILES LATER THE RIGHT INSIDE TIRE BLEWOUT, THE TIRE DEALER STATED THE TIRES BLEW DUE TO BEING OVERWEIGHT OR UNDERINFLATED, CONSUMER LATER FOUND THAT THE CHASSIS HAD RV TIRES INSTEAD OF TRUCK TIRES WHICH HAVE A SOFTER SIDEWALL, THE TIRES BLEWOUT AT 15000 MILES, MICHELIN 225/80R225, ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID
566439
Incident
Jul 1, 2001

Manufacturer communications

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

7SB0079903X

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING THE INTELLITEC POWERLINE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. *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

Ultimate Advantage by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004210—
2003100—
2002010—
2001010—
2000030—
1999010—
1998620—
1997Viewing120—
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.