RoadVitals

2001 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.
6
Latest Sep 14, 2005
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.
7
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Winnebago Brave, most frequently naming the brakes, body & structure and driver assistance categories. 7 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

  • Brakes233.3%
  • Body & structure116.7%
  • Driver assistance116.7%
  • Electrical116.7%
  • Fuel system116.7%

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
08V265000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Jun 13, 2008
930 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING MY 1999-2002 ULTIMATE ADVANTAGE, ULTIMATE FREEDOM, MY 1999-2001 CHIEFTAIN, MY 2000-2001 BRAVE, MY 2001 JOURNEY MY 2000 MINNIE WINNIE, MY 2000-2002 ITASCA HORIZON, MY 1999 SUNCRUISER, MY 2001 SUNFLYER, AND MY 2000 SUNRISE MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.
The risk: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
03V405000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Oct 16, 2003
15,337 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE UNITS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.
The risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.
The remedy: SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. 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 SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MOTOR HOME AND THE STEERING WHEEL ROCKED BACK AND FORTH RAPIDLY AND HEAVILY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THIS ON 8-30-05. IT WAS SO VIOLENT THAT IT WAS CAUSING THE MOTOR HOME TO SHUDDER. IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES BEFORE HE GOT HOME. THIS OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY ANY SPEED. THE TALKED TO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHASSIS, AND HE GOT AN INSPECTION ON IT ON 9-13-05. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE MOTOR HOME WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. WHEN THE CONTACT REALEST THE BRAKES THE STEERING WAS FINE. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHASSIS IS WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS, MODEL # P32. *AK

NHTSA ID
10136438
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Mileage
26,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2005

DT: THE VEHICLE IS A RV, 2001 WINNEBAGO BRAVE WPF30W. THE IGNITION SWITCH OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN WHILE IN USE. THE ENGINE FAILURE THEN CAUSED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KICK IN AUTOMATICALLY. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED WAS IN AUGUST -2003, THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED IN JANUARY -2005, AND THE THIRD IT OCCURRED WAS ON 9-5-2005. THE MOST RECENT TIME IT OCCURRED THE CONSUMER WAS ALMOST IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST TIME. THE SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE GETTING READY TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH AGAIN. WHEN THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN THE SWITCH AND WHEN HE TOOK IT APART HE COULD TELL IT HAD MELTED. THE SECOND TIME THE WIRING HARNESS PLUG AT THE SWITCH HAD MELTED. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10135559
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
Mileage
24,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 12, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE AND WANDERS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS. *AK THE CONSUMER'S PERSONAL MECHANIC TRIED EVERYTHING FROM CHANGING THE TIRE PRESSURE TO HAVING THE FRONT ALIGNED AND WEIGHTED TO NO AVAIL. *PH

NHTSA ID
10048153
Mileage
8,895 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2002

BRAKE LINKAGE RUBBED THROUGH BRAKE LINE, CAUSING FLUID LOSS, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF BRAKES.*AJK

NHTSA ID
766353
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2002

REAREND OF VEHICLE IS NOT STRAIGHTAND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS SIDEWAYS WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE. IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE STRAIGHT, WORK HORSE CO. WORKED ON THE CHASSIS, DID BUT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA ID
8006399
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
Fuel system
Filed Feb 6, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 20MPH FUEL LINE SEPARATED AT CONNECTION. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003629
Incident
Sep 30, 2001

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 Brave by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018010—
2017020—
2016030—
2015240—
2014020—
2013010—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005030—
2004750—
20031260—
20021650—
2001Viewing670—
2000960—
1999410—
1998410—
1997310—
1996030—
1995330—
1994520—
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.