RoadVitals

2004 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.
7
Latest Feb 2, 2018
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Winnebago Brave, most frequently naming the brakes and suspension 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

  • Brakes787.5%
  • Suspension112.5%

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

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
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
04V609000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Dec 22, 2004
3,538 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A 20,700 GVWR OR GREATER WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THERE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE IN THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL LINE CROSSES THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER.
The risk: WITHOUT CLEARANCE, A CONDITION COULD DEVELOP WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER MAY WEAR INTO THE FUEL LINE AND A FUEL LEAK MAY DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTOR HOMES BY PROVIDING CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRAME CROSS MEMBER. THE FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 93View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO BRAVE WORKHORSE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CALIBERS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CABLES WERE MELTED AND THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID
11066725
Incident
Dec 24, 2017
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2015

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE AUTOPARK PRESSURE SWITCH HAS FAILED AND LEFT US STRANDED FOR A TOTAL OF 10 DAYS WHILE THIS PART {KNOWN AS "THE ROTTEN GREEN SWITCH"} WAS ORDERED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME ON 7/6/2009 THE REPAIR BILL TOTALED $463.83 IN ANCHORAGE, AL.. MANY OTHER RV OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR RESULTS AS DOCUMENTED IN "MOTORHOME" MAGAZINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10681184
Incident
Jan 6, 2006
Mileage
13,199 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2015

TRAVELING NORTH ON I81 NEAR GREENCASTLE,PA. IN INCLEMENT WINTER CONDITIONS AND EXTREMELY ROUGH PAVEMENT ,THE ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC EMERGENCY BRAKE SUDDENLY CAME ON AT 65MPH NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND OF THE BRAKE ENGAGING THE DRIVESHAFT AND SMELLED HOT COMPONENTS. WE LIMPED OFF THE INTERSTATE AD FOUND KEYSTONE RV CENTER WHERE REPAIR/INSPECTION WAS PERORMED FOR $366.72. ADDITIONAL WORK WAS LATER PERFORMED AT FURTHER COST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10681106
Incident
Jan 13, 2012
Mileage
54,134 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AS HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE AUTO PARK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT IF THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD MOST LIKELY LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,700. THE HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR STARTED LEAKING UPDATED 12/30/10

NHTSA ID
10351818
Incident
Aug 19, 2010
Mileage
48,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2010

I HAVE A 2004 WINNEBAGO THAT IS PART OF THE RECALL FOR HYDRAULIC BRAKES, RECALL 09V110000. THIS RECALL IS DUE TO "PISTON EXPANSION" IN THE CALIPER THAT CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD TO LOCK UP AND CREATE EXCESSIVE HEAT. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH WORKHORSE ON THIS MATTER AND I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE ON DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS AND I HAVE PAID OUT-OF-POCKET FOR REPAIRS WHICH INVOLVED ABS SENSORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS - WHEN THE PISTON EXPANSION OCCURS AND/OR THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FAILURE, IS THERE A HIGH PROBABLILTY OF IT OCCURING AGAIN SINCE THE EXPANSION DUE TO MOISTURE HAS ALREADY SWOLLEN THE COMPONENTS? IF SO SHOULDN'T WORKHORSE REPLACE THE CALIPER? I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF BRAKE LOSS, FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO DETECT IT IN TIME AND PULL OFF THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE FLUID TO COOL BEFORE LIMPING HOME. I MAINTAIN TO WORKHORSE THAT I CANNOT USE MY MOTORHOME UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. THEY SAY THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE UNIT UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OPINION ON THIS. I HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH DRIVING A 25000 LB. VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD KNOWING THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10307407
Incident
Nov 3, 2009
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 31, 2009

2004 WORKHORSECHASSIS(BRAKES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10290464
Incident
Dec 27, 2008
Mileage
11,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 24, 2008

I HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A 2 WEEK TRIP DRIVING APPROX 1800 MILES. WAS TAKING MY MOTORHOME TO A DEALER TO HAVE A ROCK GUARD INSTALLED WHEN IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHIFTING FUNNY. THIS WAS IN TOWN WITH EASY DRIVING. I QUICKLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF OVERHEATED BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK. I CARRY AN INFRARED THERMOMETER AND TOOK THE TEMPS OF ALL 4 WHEEL'S DISC BRAKES. THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) BRAKE WAS READING OVER 400 DEGREES AND THE 3 OTHERS WERE READING IN APPROXIMATELY THE 125 DEGREE RANGE. I SAT FOR A WHILE AND LET IT COOL AND AS I WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES OR SO FROM THE DEALER, I THEN PROCEEDED, AFTER DETERMINING THE BRAKE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE LOCKED ON THAT WHEEL ANY LONGER, TO THE DEALERS LOT. THEY DO NOT HANDLE BRAKE FAILURES AND SINCE IT WAS LATE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I LEFT IT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD HEAVY TRUCK CENTER LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM THE RV DEALER SO I TOOK IT TO THEM THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. AFTER INSPECTING, TESTING, ETC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER ON THAT WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP BUT AFTER COOLING HAD RELEASED. I HAD CAUGHT IT IN TIME TO AVOID CRACKING THE ROTOR AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, FORTUNATELY. WE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER AND ABS SENSOR ON THAT WHEEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A LONG TRIP YET BUT AM VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL IT HAPPENED AFTER RETURNING FROM A TWO WEEK TRIP AND DIDN'T LEAVE MY FAMILY STRANDED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES FROM HOME!!! IT APPEARS FROM MY READING AND RESEARCH THAT THE WORKHORSE W22 (2003 CHASSIS) HAS A RECORD OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO HELP US WITH A RESOLUTION AND EASE OUR MINDS ABOUT THE RELIABILITY OF AN OTHERWISE FINE PRODUCT. THE SHOP MIGHT HAVE THE OLD CALIPER BUT I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I COULD CHECK IF IT WOULD HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243293
Incident
Jul 25, 2008
Mileage
8,272 mi

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—
2004Viewing750—
20031260—
20021650—
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.