RoadVitals

2003 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.
16
Latest Feb 4, 2011
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.
5
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 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Winnebago Adventurer, most frequently naming the brakes, heating & air conditioning and other / unspecified categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Brakes1050.0%
  • Heating & air conditioning210.0%
  • Other / unspecified210.0%
  • Steering210.0%
  • Electrical15.0%
  • Visibility15.0%
  • Suspension15.0%
  • Engine15.0%

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

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

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
09V300000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 29, 2009
1,547 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
05V407000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Sep 14, 2005
1,367 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
The risk: THIS CAN ALLOW EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIALS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OI VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 96View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 16
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V060000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND STATED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,849.

NHTSA ID
10380230
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
29,849 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 2010

I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE DRAG FOR A THIRD TIME ON MY MOTOR HOME AND AM FILING A THIRD COMPLAINT. TRAVEL WAS ON LEVEL ROADS IN URBAN AREA TRAFFIC (LOW SPEED STOP AND GO) WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO DRAG. I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SURFACE AND HAD TO WAIT HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED HOME BY BEING VERY CAUTIOUS WITH APPLYING BRAKES AND AVOIDING ANY CONGESTED AREAS. I HAD THE WORKHORSE AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER INSPECT THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NO EXTERNAL CAUSE FOR THE DRAG (CORRODED SLIDES, ETC.) ROTORS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (MAR 2009) AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED TO MAKE SURE MOISTURE RETENTION WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE WORK TO DATE - WORKHORSE IS NOT INSPECTING THEIR BRAKES AFTER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED AS STATED IN YOUR "DEFECT INVESTIGATION EA07016 DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE" THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10306740
Incident
Oct 8, 2009
Mileage
49,550 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPER ON THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. WORKHORSE CHASSIS ISSUED RECALL NUMBER 50901-C AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FALL OF 2009. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE REPLACEMENT IF ANY FAILURES BEGAN TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

NHTSA ID
10280197
Incident
Aug 11, 2009
Mileage
18,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 25, 2009

MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38G WITH WORKHORSE CHASSIS HAD A REAR BRAKE FAILURE THAT WAS IDENTICAL TO BRAKE FAILURES COVERED BY A WORKHORSE RECALL THROUGH THE 2002 MODELS. AFTER CONSIDERABLE CORRESPONDENCE WITH WORKHORSE & FINALLY WITH WINNEBAGO, WORKHORSE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO PAY 1/2 OF THE COST. ON JANUARY 19, 2009, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED ON THIS SAME MOTOR HOME. I AM NOW LOOKING AT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COMPLETED BY COGGIN CHEVROLET AT THE AVENUES, JACKSONVILLE, FL. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009. MIRACULOUSLY, WE WERE ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM COGGIN WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THEY OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE PRIOR TO GETTING TO COGGIN. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SO HOT THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE MELTED. THE COGGIN (WORKHORSE) MECHANIC SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38G MOTOR HOMES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256254
Incident
Jan 19, 2009
Mileage
30,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE CALIPERS BEGAN TO STICK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED OTHER BRAKING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES WAS OVER 1,000 DEGREES. THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000. THE CONTACT IS CONTEMPLATING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10250408
Incident
Nov 1, 2008
Mileage
40,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2008

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 40 MPH. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT THEN LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY MOTORHOME WITH A WORKHORSE W-20 CHASSIS. I THEN BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING BRAKES. I THEN SLOWED AND TRAVELED A MILE OR SO TO THE NEAREST EXIT. WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP I LOST ALL BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST, I USED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL WINNEBAGO DEALER WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO REPLACE ALL CALIPERS AND PADS, REAR ABS SENSORS, AND BRAKE FLUIDS AS IT HAD BOILED THE SYSTEM. A ZERK FITTING WAS ALSO INSTALLED INTO THE BRAKE BAR. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR INCIDENTS I THOUGHT IT BEST TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234383
Incident
Nov 5, 2007
Mileage
8,592 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 26, 2008

2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER TOW-BAR RECEIVER BECAME UNBOLTED ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TOW BAR WAS ALSO BENT BACKWARD AND DOWN SINCE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS STILL SECURELY BOLTED. *KB THE OWNER OF THE WELDING SHOP STATED THE BOLTS WERE NEVER TIGHTENED PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10232856
Incident
Apr 24, 2008
Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2008
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE DEALER REPAIRED HIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V060000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING). FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL ACCOMPANIED BY THE BURNING ODOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT HUB SEALS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND INSTALLED TWO NEW BRAKE SENSORS. THE POWERTRAIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,634 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,396.

NHTSA ID
10216487
Incident
Mar 28, 2005
Mileage
20,634 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

7SB009-24-01A

Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.

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.

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—
2003Viewing1650—
20021820—
20011460—
20001450—
19991710—
1998620—
19971120—
19961420—
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.