2003 Winnebago Brave Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Winnebago Brave, 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
- Brakes646.2%
- Other / unspecified215.4%
- Body & structure17.7%
- Interior & seats17.7%
- Visibility17.7%
- Electrical17.7%
- Heating & air conditioning17.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE CLASS A. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING HIS VEHICLE HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. HE IMMEDIATELY GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SWITCH FOR THE PARKING BRAKE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,018. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,518.
I PURCHASED A NEW WINNEBAGO BRAVE MOTORHOME IN 2003 WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. IN OCTOBER OF 2006 I BEGAN FEELING THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO THE MOTORHOME. I REMOVED THE FRONT WHEELS AND DISCOVERED HUGE CRACKS IN THE DISC BRAKE ROTORS. I REPLACED THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS AND THE DISC PADS ON 10-31-2006 (I HAVE RECEIPT). I ALSO DISCOVERED, WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKE PARTS, THAT THE CALIPERS WERE BINDING AT THE SLIDE PIN. I CLEANED THE PINS AND APPLIED SOME WHITE LITHIUM GREASE SO THE CALIPERS WOULD MOVE SMOOTHLY AGAIN. APPROXIMATELY 1 AND A HALF YEARS LATER I DISCOVERED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND BINDING OF THE REAR CALIPER. ON 03-10-2008, I REPLACED THE REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. I ALSO LUBRICATED THE REAR CALIPER PINS. THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE APPROXIMATELY $600(I DID THE LABOR MYSELF). LAST WEEKEND (02-22-2009) I SAW THAT THE LEFT REAR CALIPER WAS LEAKING FROM THE PISTON BOOT. I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN AND ASKED THEM FOR A PRICE OF A CALIPER REBUILD KIT. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE CALIPERS COULD NOT BE REPAIRED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW CALIPERS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD GELLED FROM THE EXTREME HEAT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. AT THIS POINT I WAS COMPLETELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM OF THE MOTORHOME. ALMOST EVERY PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I LOOKED UP MY PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH WORKHORSE CHASSIS BETWEEN 2001-2005 I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE CHASSIS, "WORKHORSE" AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY MOTORHOME DID NOT HAVE A VIN # THAT WAS PART OF THEIR RECALL. EVEN THOUGH IT FELL IN THE 2001-2003 YEAR. THE TECH MANAGER AT WORKHORSE, GREG DID NOT WANT TO HELP ME WITH THE REPAIR OF MY MOTORHOME AND DID NOT WANT TO DISCLOSE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING OTHER MOTORHOMES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE WRONG PART FOR HIS SAMSUNG MICROWAVE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED THE MISTAKE. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT PART AT THIS MOMENT AND WERE NOT SURE WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *NM
SHOWER FAUCET INSTALLED IN A 2003 ITASCA MOTOR HOME MODEL 32V IS VERY DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. CAUSING EITHER COLD OR VERY HOT BURST OF WATER TO HIT THE PERSON IN THE SHOWER. THE HOT WATER CAUSED A SCALDING THE LAST TIME THE SHOWER WAS USED. THE FAUCET CONTROLS THE WATER BY A SIDE TO SIDE MOTION THAT IS ABOUT 1/2" IN EITHER DIRECTION. ONCE SET (EVEN TEMPERATURE) IT ONLY TAKES A SLIGHT MOVEMENT TO CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE. I KNOW THIS IS A MINOR COMPLAINT BUT A CORRECTION TO THE FAUCET REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE. SCALDING IS NOT MINOR. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LEVEL OF THE PROPANE TANK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE BRACKET. THE BRACKET WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND IS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 27,631. UPDATED 10/14/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/16/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENTRY DOOR LOCK IS FAULTY TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE BEEN "LOCKED OUT" OF OUR RIG OVER 20 TIMES DURING OUR PAST TRIP! WE ASK SUNCOAST OF OCALA TO FIX IT BEFORE WE TRAVELED IN DEC. OF 04 BUT FOUND THAT IT WASN'T FIXED WHEN WE TOOK A MONTH LONG TRIP THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. WE HAVE CONTACTED WINNEBAGO AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT OUR LOCK WAS NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST SO THEY CAN DO NOTHING. THEY DID HAVE ENTRY DOOR LOCKS RECALLED AND WE ASSUME THAT OURS MUST BE A PART OF THAT AS THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL ANY LONGER AND TO FIX IT A NEW LOCK HAS GOT TO PURCHASED FROM WINNEBAGO. WE PURCHASED OUR WINNEBAGO BRAVE NEW IN OCTOBER OF 03 AND HAD NOT USED IT MUCH BEFORE OUR RECENT TRIP. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM WITH WINNEBAGO. WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT OUR SMALL GRANDCHILDREN WERE NOT INSIDE WHEN WE WERE UNABLE TO REENTER THE RIG! I ENTERED SEP 4, 2005 BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DAY OF OUR DEPARTURE. THE INCIDENTS WERE ON GOING THE ENTIRE MONTH LONG TRIP. THANK YOU, DOTTIE AND LARRY RYHERD. *JB
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ONLY HAS 9800 MILES ON IT AND IS KEPT UNDER SHELTER. OBVIOUSLY IT HAS HAD LITTLE USE. THERE IS A WINDSHIELD LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WITH RUST PARTICLES FALLING ON THE DASH. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE WINNEBAGO/ ITASCA CLASS A MOTORHOMES. I SUSPECT THE COMPANY IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, AND HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO RECALL AND HELP CUSTOMERS WITH WHAT COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY FEAR IS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY,HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND HAVING THAT WINDSHIELD FALL IN ON MY WIFE OR ON THE HIGHWAY, NOT TO MENTION THE WATER DAMAGE OR MOLD POTENTIAL. THIS IS MY 3RD WINNEBAGO. I BOUGHT IT NEW AT A COST OF OVER $100K. I'VE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT , KEEPING IT UNDER ROOF WHEN NOT IN USE. THE COMPANY TOLD MA THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I ALREADY REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AFTER IT CRACKED MYSTERIOUSLY. I THINK WINNEBAGO/ITASCA OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THE POTENTIAL, AND THE WINDSHIELDS SHOULD BE REPAIRED OF RUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD FRAME, AND THE GLASS RESEALED AND REINSTALLED. I KNOW OF MANY SAFETY ISSUES THAT NHTSA HAS TAKEN CARE OF IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY. THIS SHOULD BE NO DIFFERENT. RV MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE HELD AS RESPONSIBLE AS THE AUTO COMPANIES. FOR THE MONEY THAT IS SPENT ON THEM, THE CUSTOMERS DESERVE BETTER CONSIDERATION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHUDDER AND HESITATE BEFORE SUDDENLY STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF. DURING THE INCIDENT, AN ELECTRICAL BURNING ODOR WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES CONNECTING THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE FAULTY AND A PROTECTION KIT WAS INSTALLED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,462.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. FIVE MILES AWAY FROM HOME, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A HORRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR CALIPERS WERE BURNED, THE COMPRESSOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS BURNED, AND THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V06000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,109. UPDATED 10/08/08. *LJ THE AC FAILED DUE TO A LEAK IN LINES. THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS SPLIT. UPDATED 10/10/08. *JB
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .