RoadVitals

2003 Winnebago Adventurer Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Winnebago Adventurer, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 4, 2011

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 · filed Feb 5, 2010
All 10 reports naming brakes

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER TO AN AUTHORIZED WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD AIR CONDITIONING WASN'T COOLING. EACH TIME THE REFRIGERANT WAS GONE, THEY SAID NO LEAKS COULD BE FOUND AND THEY JUST RECHARGED THE SYSTEM. THEY SAID THE "O" RINGS MIGHT BE DRYING UP OVER WINTER AND THEN THE REFRIGERANT IS LOST. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS BECAUSE MUCH OF THE AIR CONDITIONING IS MOUNTED ON THEIR ENGINE. THEY TOLD ME IN A PHONE CONVERSATION THAT WORKHORSE HAS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. I THEN E-MAILED WORKHORSE WITH MY PROBLEM. THIS IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED FROM THEM: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR EMAIL AND FOR CONTACTING WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS. WORKHORSE SUPPLIES THE CONDENSER, COMPRESSOR AND DRYER, WINNEBAGO SUPPLIES THE REST OF THE A/C. YOU MIGHT ALSO TRY CONTACTING WINNEBAGO. FOR OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GROUP (WORKHORSE), PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL 877 246. NEXT I CONTACTED WINNEBAGO, AFTER ALL, IT IS THEIR NAME ON THE SIDE OF THE MOTOR HOME. MY RESPONSE FROM THEM WAS THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT WORKHORSE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10136768 · filed Sep 16, 2005

THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED BY THE WORKHORSE FACTORY IS INADEQUATE. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WORKGORSE SHOULD DO THE UPGRADE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE NEW WORKHORSE LEATHER STEERING WHEEL FOR BETTER GRIP SHOULD BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. *TC

NHTSA ID 10101463 · filed Nov 5, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 26, 2008

REF: 10042704. NVS 216 GMH. NEW MOTOR HOME WITH NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED: ALIGNMENT, TRAVEL DIRECTION (TRACKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD), BANGING IN THE FRONT END, ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS IN DASH, TAIL PIPE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, EASY CHAIR THAT CONTINUOUSLY ROCKS AND IS DISTRACTING. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED: HOLE IN DUST CAP ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WATER IN LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, SOUND ON BACK UP MONITOR, FLORESCENT LIGHT COVERS FALLING OFF, BROKEN CUPBOARD LATCH, GAS LEAK ON GENERATOR, RUSTY LP GAS LINES, AND CLAMPS BROKEN ON LP GAS LINES. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET A "NEW" MOTOR HOME PROPERLY REPAIRED. SOME OF THE ITEMS ARE APPEARANCE RELATED BUT MOST OF THEM ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL ENCLOSE COPIES OF FILES THAT INCLUDE LISTS OF ISSUES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL UNTIL PROPERLY REPAIRED. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I WILL HAVE TO SELL OR TRADE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER JUST AS HAPPENED TO ME. IF THIS HAD BEEN A USED MOTOR HOME, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STRESS TO MY FAMILY AND ME AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BY US AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE INDESCRIBABLE. WE PLANNED ON TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH THIS WINTER BUT HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CHANCE THE TRAVEL WITH THIS MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050579 · filed Dec 16, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE COOLING SYSTEM INSTALLED BY THE WORKHORSE FACTORY IS INADEQUATE. *NM THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WORKGORSE SHOULD DO THE UPGRADE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE NEW WORKHORSE LEATHER STEERING WHEEL FOR BETTER GRIP SHOULD BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. *TC

NHTSA ID 10101463 · filed Nov 5, 2004

REF: 10042704. NVS 216 GMH. NEW MOTOR HOME WITH NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED: ALIGNMENT, TRAVEL DIRECTION (TRACKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD), BANGING IN THE FRONT END, ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS IN DASH, TAIL PIPE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, EASY CHAIR THAT CONTINUOUSLY ROCKS AND IS DISTRACTING. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED: HOLE IN DUST CAP ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WATER IN LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, SOUND ON BACK UP MONITOR, FLORESCENT LIGHT COVERS FALLING OFF, BROKEN CUPBOARD LATCH, GAS LEAK ON GENERATOR, RUSTY LP GAS LINES, AND CLAMPS BROKEN ON LP GAS LINES. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET A "NEW" MOTOR HOME PROPERLY REPAIRED. SOME OF THE ITEMS ARE APPEARANCE RELATED BUT MOST OF THEM ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL ENCLOSE COPIES OF FILES THAT INCLUDE LISTS OF ISSUES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL UNTIL PROPERLY REPAIRED. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I WILL HAVE TO SELL OR TRADE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER JUST AS HAPPENED TO ME. IF THIS HAD BEEN A USED MOTOR HOME, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STRESS TO MY FAMILY AND ME AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BY US AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE INDESCRIBABLE. WE PLANNED ON TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH THIS WINTER BUT HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CHANCE THE TRAVEL WITH THIS MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050579 · filed Dec 16, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REF: 10042704. NVS 216 GMH. NEW MOTOR HOME WITH NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED: ALIGNMENT, TRAVEL DIRECTION (TRACKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD), BANGING IN THE FRONT END, ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS IN DASH, TAIL PIPE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, EASY CHAIR THAT CONTINUOUSLY ROCKS AND IS DISTRACTING. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED: HOLE IN DUST CAP ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WATER IN LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, SOUND ON BACK UP MONITOR, FLORESCENT LIGHT COVERS FALLING OFF, BROKEN CUPBOARD LATCH, GAS LEAK ON GENERATOR, RUSTY LP GAS LINES, AND CLAMPS BROKEN ON LP GAS LINES. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET A "NEW" MOTOR HOME PROPERLY REPAIRED. SOME OF THE ITEMS ARE APPEARANCE RELATED BUT MOST OF THEM ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL ENCLOSE COPIES OF FILES THAT INCLUDE LISTS OF ISSUES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL UNTIL PROPERLY REPAIRED. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I WILL HAVE TO SELL OR TRADE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER JUST AS HAPPENED TO ME. IF THIS HAD BEEN A USED MOTOR HOME, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STRESS TO MY FAMILY AND ME AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BY US AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE INDESCRIBABLE. WE PLANNED ON TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH THIS WINTER BUT HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CHANCE THE TRAVEL WITH THIS MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050579 · filed Dec 16, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS ON MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER HAVE FOGGED UP, LIMITING VISIBILITY AND BEGUN TO LEAK. THESE WINDOWS WERE THERMO-PANED GLASS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10165305 · filed Aug 12, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REF: 10042704. NVS 216 GMH. NEW MOTOR HOME WITH NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED: ALIGNMENT, TRAVEL DIRECTION (TRACKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD), BANGING IN THE FRONT END, ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS IN DASH, TAIL PIPE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, EASY CHAIR THAT CONTINUOUSLY ROCKS AND IS DISTRACTING. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED: HOLE IN DUST CAP ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WATER IN LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, SOUND ON BACK UP MONITOR, FLORESCENT LIGHT COVERS FALLING OFF, BROKEN CUPBOARD LATCH, GAS LEAK ON GENERATOR, RUSTY LP GAS LINES, AND CLAMPS BROKEN ON LP GAS LINES. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET A "NEW" MOTOR HOME PROPERLY REPAIRED. SOME OF THE ITEMS ARE APPEARANCE RELATED BUT MOST OF THEM ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL ENCLOSE COPIES OF FILES THAT INCLUDE LISTS OF ISSUES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL UNTIL PROPERLY REPAIRED. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I WILL HAVE TO SELL OR TRADE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER JUST AS HAPPENED TO ME. IF THIS HAD BEEN A USED MOTOR HOME, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STRESS TO MY FAMILY AND ME AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BY US AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE INDESCRIBABLE. WE PLANNED ON TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH THIS WINTER BUT HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CHANCE THE TRAVEL WITH THIS MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050579 · filed Dec 16, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

REF: 10042704. NVS 216 GMH. NEW MOTOR HOME WITH NUMEROUS SAFETY ISSUES. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE NOT BEEN FIXED: ALIGNMENT, TRAVEL DIRECTION (TRACKS TO THE RIGHT WHEN GOING DOWN THE ROAD), BANGING IN THE FRONT END, ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS IN DASH, TAIL PIPE INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, EASY CHAIR THAT CONTINUOUSLY ROCKS AND IS DISTRACTING. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED: HOLE IN DUST CAP ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WATER IN LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT, SOUND ON BACK UP MONITOR, FLORESCENT LIGHT COVERS FALLING OFF, BROKEN CUPBOARD LATCH, GAS LEAK ON GENERATOR, RUSTY LP GAS LINES, AND CLAMPS BROKEN ON LP GAS LINES. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR MONTHS TO GET A "NEW" MOTOR HOME PROPERLY REPAIRED. SOME OF THE ITEMS ARE APPEARANCE RELATED BUT MOST OF THEM ARE SAFETY ISSUES. I WILL ENCLOSE COPIES OF FILES THAT INCLUDE LISTS OF ISSUES AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE TO ATTEMPT REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THIS MOTOR HOME SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL UNTIL PROPERLY REPAIRED. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS FEEL I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. FOR ME TO GET OUT OF THIS SITUATION, I WILL HAVE TO SELL OR TRADE TO ANOTHER UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER JUST AS HAPPENED TO ME. IF THIS HAD BEEN A USED MOTOR HOME, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STRESS TO MY FAMILY AND ME AND THE DISAPPOINTMENT EXPERIENCED BY US AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN ARE INDESCRIBABLE. WE PLANNED ON TRAVELING TO THE SOUTH THIS WINTER BUT HAVE DECIDED NOT TO CHANCE THE TRAVEL WITH THIS MOTOR HOME.*AK

NHTSA ID 10050579 · filed Dec 16, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .