RoadVitals

1994 Winnebago Brave

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.
5
Latest Aug 5, 2003
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 10, 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.
1
4 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Winnebago Brave, most frequently naming the body & structure, seat belts 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

  • Body & structure225.0%
  • Seat belts225.0%
  • Suspension225.0%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Steering112.5%

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
02V277005

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Dec 10, 2002
1,531 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 1200LR AND 1200RIM WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 700000 AND 1008700 . THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE LIQUID SOLUTION SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE SEALED, PRESSURIZED COOLING UNIT THROUGH A SMALL CRACK.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUALLY OPERATED, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT COOLING UNIT 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 NOROLD SERVICE AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95E016005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Oct 12, 1995
7,796 units potentially affected
The defect: A SOLDER BRIDGE ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD WITHIN THE FUSE PANEL OF THE POWER CONVERTER PASSED UNDETECTED THROUGH A TEST FIXTURE AND BYPASSES THE FUSE PROTECTING THE CIRCUIT.
The risk: THIS SOLDER BRIDGE, WHEN COUPLED WITH A DEAD SHORTELSEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM, CAN RESULT IN CIRCUIT OVERLOAD, OVERHEATING, ANDEVEN FIRE, WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DETAILED TEST INSTRUCTIONS ARE BEING PROVIDED. IF A DEFECTIVE FUSE PANEL IS FOUND, A NEW REPLACEMENT PANEL WILL BE INSTALLED.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureSteering
Filed Aug 5, 2003
Crash reported4 injuries reported2 deaths reported

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ONE VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH RV VEERED OFF THE ROAD AND HIT A TREE AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, 34 MPH. THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT DISINTEGRATED AS DID MOST OF THE VEHICLE,INCLUDING THE ROOF ,FLOOR, AND WALLS. * *AK ALL OCCUPANTS WERE EJECTED ,INCLUDING THE ONES WEARING SEAT BELTS.THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITH IT'S OCCUPANT STILL BELTED IN HIS SEAT BELT.HE WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. HIS 13 YR OLD SON WAS SITTING ON THE DINETTE IN THE MID SECTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE SIDE HE WAS ON WAS DESTROYED ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE REAR WHEELS,(NO ROOF, FLOOR OR WALL WAS LEFT) AND HE WAS ALSO KILLED THAT DAY.ANOTHER SON,AN 11 YR OLD CHILD, WAS IN THE ROUND CHAIR BEHIND THE FRONT PASSENGER. HIS SEAT WAS FOUND IN THE WOODS AND HE WAS EJECTED SUFFERING A FRACTURED NECK. HE REQUIRED SPINAL FUSION SURGERY TO STABILIZE HIS SPINE. THE OTHER THREE OCCUPANTS(ONE WAS THE MAN'S 8 YR OLD SON ,WHO WITNESSED THE DEATHS OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS) WERE ALL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND SUFFERED CUTS ,CONTUSIONS AND BROKEN BONES.THE PICTURES OF THE WRECKAGE SHOW A NEARLY UNIDENTIFYABLE VEHICLE THA LOOKS LIKE IT WAS BOMBED>

NHTSA ID
10030887
Incident
Jul 31, 1999
AirbagsSuspension
Filed Jul 23, 2002

SIMULTANIOUS SUSPENSION AIR BAG FAILURE. POSSIBLE HANDLING/CONTROL ISSUE FOR A CLASS A MOTORHOME. DEALER REPORTS THIS TO BE A FREQUENT REPAIR WITH NO OBVIOUS CAUSE OF FAILURE. THIS FAILURE IS DETECTABLE ONLY BY CRAWLING UNDERNEATH THE RV AND MANUALLY CHECKING THE PRESSURE, AND MAY THEREFORE GO UNNOTICED TO THE AVERAGE MOTORIST RESULTING IN PREMATURE FRONT TIRE WEAR AND DEGRADED HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
764645
Incident
Jul 1, 2002
Body & structureSeat belts
Filed Dec 11, 1998

REFERENCE NO. 830859. CHASSIS HAS LOOSE BOLTS WHICH HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED NUMEROUS TIMES, DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NO PARTS CAN BE FOUND TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO SAFETY BELT BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES, NO RETRACTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
832210
Incident
Sep 1, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Nov 16, 1998

THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELT BUCKLES BROKE, CAUSING THE SEATBELTS TO BE INOPERATIVE, AND WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
830859
Incident
Sep 1, 1996
Suspension
Filed Jan 24, 1996

CAN NOT LOAD VEHICLE FOR NORMAN USAGE WITHOUT BEING OVER GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE REAR. TT

NHTSA ID
978125

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 Brave by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018010—
2017020—
2016030—
2015240—
2014020—
2013010—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005030—
2004750—
20031260—
20021650—
2001670—
2000960—
1999410—
1998410—
1997310—
1996030—
1995330—
1994Viewing520—
1993210—
1992210—
1991010—
1990010—
1989010—
1988010—
1987010—

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.