RoadVitals

1996 Winnebago Adventurer

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.
14
Latest Mar 26, 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.
2
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 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 6 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

  • Engine430.8%
  • Brakes323.1%
  • Suspension215.4%
  • Transmission215.4%
  • Heating & air conditioning17.7%
  • Fuel system17.7%

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
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
97V012000

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK

Feb 3, 1997
10,590 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER HOIST COMPONENTS CAN BECOME LOOSE WHILE TRAVELING AND ALLOW THE SPARE TIRE TO MOVE FROM ITS STORED POSITION TO THE ROAD SURFACE.
The risk: THE SPARE TIRE CAN CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A PRIMARY SPARE TIRE SUPPORT BRACKET.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 14
Brakes
Filed Mar 26, 2007
Fire reported

WE PURCHASED AN RV FROM ARIZONA RV OUTLET 5 WEEKS AGO THAT HAD SOME TERRIBLE BRAKE ISSUES, THERE WAS A MINOR FIRE FROM BRAKE ISSUES. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VEHICLE WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.*AK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP US AND EVEN FURTHER, WE PAID FOR A 4 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THROUGH THEM AND THEY NEVER SUBMITTED THE PAYMENT OR INFORMATION TO THE SERVICE COMPANY SO WE CAN GET ANY REPAIRS PAID FOR. WE HAD A TIRE BLOW NOT 60 MILES FROM THEIR LOT THAT BROKE A LEVELER AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP ON THAT EITHER.

NHTSA ID
10186165
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2003

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FAN BELT FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10048581
Incident
Nov 20, 2003
Mileage
11,300 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 24, 2003

ON MY 1996 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME (34 FEET) (16,000 GVW) I LOST THE "SERPENTINE FAN BELT" WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VIRGINIA. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF MY POWER STEERING , AND I LOST MY POWER BRAKES! IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I AM OVER 6 FEET TALL AND WEIGH MORE THAN 200 POUNDS BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT STILL TOOK OVER 500 FEET TO FINALLY STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGES. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047484
Incident
Nov 20, 2003
Mileage
113,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 20, 2003

THE DRIVER SAID, "THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF HOT BRAKE FLUID". HE COULD HEAR THE BRAKE FLUID BOILING WHILE INSIDE OF MOTOR HOME". AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044251
Mileage
37,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 7, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THERE WAS NO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING THE GEAR. *AK WHEN ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. (THE VEHICLE COOLED FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN THE REVERSE FUNCTIONED) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10026554
Incident
Jul 3, 2003
Mileage
17,750 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 25, 2003

I PURCHASED A 1996 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV WITH 16,209 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SECOND TIME THAT I USED THE VEHICLE, THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK AFTER IT HAD BEEN RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THERE IS A TEK TIP, FROM TOLEDO TRANS-KIT, WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE PROBLEM. "TRANSMISSION HAS GOOD REVERSE UNTIL THE UNIT REACHES FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. PRIMARILY AFTER SUBSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAUSE HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE USE OF SHORT LIP SEALS ON THE DIRECT DRUM PISTON CAUSING THE DIRECT CLUTCH NOT TO APPLY WHEN REVERSE IS SELECTED. THIS IS FOR THE THM 4L80-E/4L80-EHD TRANSMISSION BUILT BY CHEVROLET. I WROTE TO WINNEBAGO AND THEY REFERRED ME TO CHEVROLET. CHEVROLET SAID THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID ANYMORE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ((JIM SLAIN-25 MARCH 2003).

NHTSA ID
10011013
Incident
Feb 25, 2003
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2000

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED SIX TIMES. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE EACH TIME.*AK THE DEALER REPAIRED ALL SIX FAILURES AS CHARGING THE CONSUMER. ALSO FUMES GET INTO THE MOTOR HOME CAUSING SICKNESS TO CONSUMER AND FAMILY. VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING. *YH

NHTSA ID
875091
Incident
Nov 16, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Nov 9, 1998

VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WINNEBEGO WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS MADE TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITHIN 1 YEAR TIME FRAME. *AK

NHTSA ID
828743
Incident
May 20, 1998

Manufacturer communications

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

7SB002-24-01A

Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.

7SB005-23-01A

STRUCTURE

Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.

7SB009-22-02A

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin sent to all dealers. This bulletin advises dealers they no longer need to email Winnebago the signed Vehicle Registration Form, but they should retain a copy for their records.

7SB009-21-02A

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin to dealers reminding them to understand their state's Lemon Law and to comply with Winnebago Motorhome mandates outlined in the Policy & Procedure Manual.

7SB010-21-01Z

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.

7SB014-21-01A

EQUIPMENT

General Parts and Service Letter to dealers detailing the warranty part return procedure.

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

Winnebago Adventurer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025020—
2024020—
2023140—
2022430—
2021730—
2020140—
2019240—
2018050—
2017050—
2016180—
2015050—
2014030—
2013040—
2012030—
2011330—
2010140—
2009040—
2008730—
2007330—
2006350—
2005760—
20042230—
20031650—
20021820—
20011460—
20001450—
19991710—
1998620—
19971120—
1996Viewing1420—
19951320—
1994720—
1993310—
1992311—

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.