RoadVitals

2002 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.
16
Latest Aug 10, 2015
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Winnebago Brave, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and body & structure 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

  • Electrical423.5%
  • Brakes317.6%
  • Body & structure317.6%
  • Other / unspecified317.6%
  • Suspension211.8%
  • Tires & wheels15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%

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
09V113000

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Apr 8, 2009
2,331 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 2,331 MY 2002-2004 BRAVE AND ITASCA SUNRISE MY 2005 2006 WINNEBAGO VOYAGE, ADVENTURER, ITASCA SUNRISE AND SUNCRUISER MOTOR HOMES. THE PROPANE TANK MOUNTING BRACKET MAY HAVE AN INCOMPLETE OR IMPROPER WELD.
The risk: SHOULD THE WELD FAIL, THE PROPANE TANK CAN TIP OR FALL, POSSIBLY RELEASING PROPANE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITEA FIRE, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND PROPERLY WELD THE BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 800-537-1885.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 112View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 16
Suspension
Filed Aug 10, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE HOOD WAS LIFTED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL BEARING BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10747594
Incident
Jul 27, 2015
Mileage
50,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Apr 6, 2014

PARKING BRAKE ON VEHICLE LOCKS UP WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND WILL NOT RELEASE. VEHICLE CANNOT BE MOVED. PARKING BRAKE ALSO TRIES TO ENGAGE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SIX TIMES SINCE 2011. EACH TIME THE PARKING BRAKE PRESSURE SENSOR IS REPLACED AND ONE TIME THE PARKING BRAKE SHOES WERE REPLACED AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A LEAK IN THE ACTUATOR. WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS WITHOUT THE PROBLEM OCCURRING AGAIN AND AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577772
Incident
Jul 7, 2011
Mileage
28,796 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 8, 2010
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO BRAVE MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP. AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL ABNORMALLY WENT INTO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT APPLIED STEADY, CONSTANT PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS BOILING. HE THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANUALLY RELEASE THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V060000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING).THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE NOT REPLACED YET THE RECALL ONLY CALLED FOR DEALERS TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE THE ROTORS AND CALIPERS WERE NOT REPLACED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED OTHER BRAKING FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE ROTORS AND PADS COULD BE REPLACED BUT AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

NHTSA ID
10359613
Incident
Apr 10, 2010
Mileage
52,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 1, 2010

THIS CONCERNS SAFETY RECALL 50901-C ON WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS WITH BOSCH BRAKES. THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE BOSCH BRAKES WHICH WAS NOT CORRECTED THE FIRST TIME. THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 40000 MILES. THIS TIME I EXPERIENCED BRAKE LOSS IN OCTOBER OF 2009 SO I CALLED THE WORKHORSE NUMBER TODAY TO GET AND IDEA OF WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD BE REPLACED (AGAIN) AND A YOUNG LADY PROCEEDED TO LECTURE ME ON WHAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO DO AND ALL THE DISCLAIMERS. WE ARE PREPARING TO TRAVEL IN APRIL 2010 FOR THE SUMMER. HOW MANY TIMES DO THEY GET A CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT AND PLACE ALL THE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER?*TR

NHTSA ID
10303636
Incident
Oct 17, 2009
Mileage
70,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Aug 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSULATED GLASS IN THE DRIVER'S AREA FOGS UP AND PREVENTS HIM FROM VIEWING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR CLEARLY AT NIGHT. THE GLARE FROM THE LIGHTS OF OTHER VEHICLES PREVENT HIM FROM SEEING OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. HE HAS REPLACED THE WINDOWS AT LEAST THREE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/11/08 *JB

NHTSA ID
10237728
Incident
Apr 11, 2008
Mileage
20,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Aug 30, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL NOTICE NUMBER 03E044000 (EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE) FOR HIS SAMSUNG MICROWAVE (MR 6699GB, SERIAL NUMBER 71MR500345V). THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE MICROWAVE FAILED AGAIN SEVEN MONTHS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE ONLY REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ONCE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10201238
Incident
Jul 19, 2007
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 25, 2007

THE 2002 WINNWBAG BRAVE MODEL 34D EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE FRONT ATTACHMENT BRACKET TO THE LIQUID PROPANE TANK. THE APPROXIMATELY 1/4 THICK BY 10"HIGH BRACKET CRACKED COMPLETELY AND LEFT THE TANK SUSPENDED BY ONLY TWO BOLTS AT THE REAR THAT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN INTENDED TO STABILIZE THE TANK ,BUT NOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT AS THEY WERE ATTACHED TO ONLY TWO SMALL TABS. THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED DURING MAINTENANCE TO REPLACE TWO OF THE FAILED STABILIZER HYDRAULIC JACKS. IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THIS WORK BEING DONE I WAS CERTAIN ONE OF THE REMAINING SUPPORTS WOULD HAVE BROKEN WHILE TRAVELING AND WE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A PRESSURIZED TANK DRAGGING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE THOUGHT OF HAVING THIS HAPPEN AND THE DANGER TO ALL AROUND WAS FRIGHTENING. A CALL TO WINNEBAGO FACTORY SERVICE, WHICH HAD A RESPONSE OF THIS WAS NOT ANYTHING WE WERE AWARE OFF, HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT BEFORE. I STATED I COULD EMAIL PHOTOS FOR THEIR USE, BUT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND OWNERS OF THESE MOTOR HOMES SHOULD BE ADVISED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED AND REPAIRED IMMEDIATELY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10194105
Incident
Jun 23, 2002
Mileage
17,928 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 4, 2006

2002 WINNEBAGO BRAVE MICROWAVE HAS TO BE REMOVED TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TS THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WAS THE WAY THE MICROWAVE WAS INSTALLED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10157331
Incident
May 1, 2006

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—
2002Viewing1650—
2001670—
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.