RoadVitals

2018 Winnebago Forza

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.
12
Latest Nov 4, 2025
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 Nov 1, 2024
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 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Winnebago Forza, most frequently naming the body & structure, fuel system and interior & seats 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

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

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

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Nov 1, 2024
11,982 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Sightseer, Itasca Sunova, 2016-2025 Forza, Vista, and Itasca/Winnebago Sunstar, 2015-2025 Adventurer, 2015-2024 Commercial Vehicle, 2015-2028 Itasca Suncruiser, and 2016-2017 Itasca Solei recreational vehicles. The hood bracket adhesive may have been incorrectly applied which can allow the bracket to detach.
The risk: A detached hood bracket may become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters began being mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 192.
Winnebago Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number 192, 197, 198View on NHTSA.gov

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

Oct 1, 2024
17,329 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Tour, 2013-2018 Journey, 2014-2022 Forza, 2015-2016 Brave, 2015-2019 Grand Tour, 2015-2021 Vista, 2016-2018 Adventurer, Sightseer, 2016-2021 Commercial Vehicle, 2018-2021 Intent, Sunstar, 2018-2020 Horizon, Itasca 2013-2017 Ellipse, Meridian, 2014-2017 Solei, 2015-2016 Tribute, 2015-2018 Sunstar, 2016-2018 Suncruiser, and Sunova motorhomes. The turn signals may have a smaller than required luminous lens area. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk: A small lens can make it difficult for other drivers to see the turn signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2026. Owners may contact Winnebago Customer Care at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 189.
Winnebago Industries, Inc.Manufacturer number 189View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Jul 3, 2019
766 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forza motorhomes. The exterior storage compartment door may unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk: If the storage compartment door opens while the vehicle is in motion, other drivers may swerve to avoid hitting the compartment door, or objects falling from within, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners and dealers will install a new latch and the catch will be inspected and properly aligned and readjusted if necessary. Winnebago issued owners an interim notification on August 14, 2019. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885.
Winnebago Industries, IncManufacturer number 158View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Nov 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Winnebago Forza RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the cargo door and the door enclosing the propane tank on the driver's side unexpectedly opened. The contact stated that the failures had occurred several times. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who was unable to repair the doors properly. The failure had become a recurring failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V512000 (Structure). The contact had received the recall letter however, the failings with the door reoccurred. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

NHTSA ID
11697419
Incident
Nov 23, 2018
Mileage
22,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 2, 2022

Just want to inform you of a potentially dangerous situation on 2018 Winnebago Forza’s. The propane line for the Truma Water Heater is routed under the right sink cabinet but above the metal engine box. As it runs, it is pinched between the engine box and cabinet. During driving, the cabinet moves up and down and chaffs and crushes the propane line. I caught mine in time and routed it, however, had I not caught this, it would have chaffed through and Boom. Truma Corp technician found this kinked line because I was having Water Heater problems since day one. I see on some of the Facebook groups, owners are reporting similar problems with their Truma Water Heaters not providing enough hot water. This is the end result of a pinched propane line. There is (14.6 WC) which is enough gas in the line for an initial startup, but the flow of propane quickly drops (3-6 WC) which is not enough to maintain a lite burner, so it cycles on and off or goes out and you get an error code. See Pictures Winnebago has been notified

NHTSA ID
11495803
Incident
Oct 23, 2022
Body & structure
Filed Jul 2, 2020

WINNEBAGO ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL 8 MONTHS AGO ON LOWER STORAGE DOORS THAT OPEN WHILE TRAVELING. I HAD A DOOR OPEN AT HWY SPEEDS YESTERDAY. COMPANY CONTINUES TO APPOLIGISE BUT WON'T FIX PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11337167
Incident
Jul 2, 2020
Mileage
9,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 24, 2019

WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY THE DOORS TO BASEMENT STORAGE UNLATCH AND SWING OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. I BELIEVE THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WORK LOOSE FROM IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT, SLICK NYLON LATCH PINS AND BUMPS CAUSING THE LATCH PIN TO RELEASE FROM THE LATCH LOOP. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WHEN THEY ARE OPEN AND CAN SWING ALL OF THE WAY OPEN ALLOWING STORED ITEMS TO COME OUT AND CAUSE TRAFFIC HAZARDS, IN ADDITION TO DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE HINGED DOORS THEMSELVES.

NHTSA ID
11234524
Incident
Oct 18, 2018
Mileage
8,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2019

BASEMENT DOORS OPEN WHEN TRAVELING. WE HAD 4 OPEN DURING OUR EARLY TRIPS. NOW HAVE 2 THAT OPEN. DEALER HAS TRIED TO ADJUST THESE DOORS 4 TIMES WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DOORS OPEN INTO THE LANES NEXT TO ME. THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. LATEST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 7/9/19 ON I-95 MILEMARKER 100 IN VIRGINIA BUT HAS HAPPENED SINCE MARCH 2019 WHEN WE BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ID
11230939
Incident
Jul 9, 2019
Mileage
3,200 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2019

BASEMENT DOOR PLASTIC LATCHES GAVE WAY WHILE IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE. FOUR DOORS FLEW OPEN IN TRAFFIC. SECURED WITH DUCT TAPE UNTIL DEALER COULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. WINNEBAGO AUTHORIZED LATCH ADJUSTMENT. OTHER FORZA OWNERS TOLD US THE LATCH ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT WORK AND DOORS WILL CONTINUE TO OPEN WHEN UNDERWAY. WE CONTINUE TO SECURE WITH DUCT TAPE, ANTICIPATING THE DOORS WILL FLY OPEN YET AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11230082
Incident
May 29, 2018
Mileage
210 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 24, 2019

COMPARTMENT DOORS THAT KEPT POPPING OPEN WHILE DRIVING, MULTIPLE DOORS AFTER BEING ADJUSTED MULTIPLE TIMES BY DEALERSHIP AND OURSELVES. ONE HITTING A CONSTRUCTION BARRIER DOING $2500 DAMAGE TO THE DOOR WHICH WINNEBAGO DID NOT WANT TO COVER. SPRING OF 2018. FOUGHT WINN AND FINALLY THEY PAID FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE DEALERSHIP HAD DOCUMENTATION THAT THEY HAD MADE ADJUSTMENTS MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD RECORDS OF SUCH EVEN GOING BACK TO THE DAY THE COACH WAS DELIVERED. TRANSPORT PERSON COMPLAINED THEY KEPT OPENING ON HIM. WINNEBAGO STATED TO ME THAT THEY HADN'T HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM BEFORE. (BS) AFTER DOOR WAS REPAIRED AND REPAINTED AND READJUSTED AGAIN, LOCKED AND CHECKED BY 4 PEOPLE BEFORE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP IT CAME OPEN AGAIN ON THE 30 MILE DRIVE HOME WHICH I JUST HAPPEN TO BE FOLLOWING AND WAS ABLE TO FILM. WE HAD IT AT THIS POINT AND REPLACED ALL LATCHES WITH AN AFTER MARKET METAL LATCH AT OUR OWN EXPENSE AT 12 X $16.50 AND LABOR COST. THE DOORS HAVE NOT POPPED OPEN AGAIN SINCE. WE FELL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ACCIDENTS, HITTING MAYBE PEDESTRIANS, BIKE RIDERS, OTHER VEHICLES. STUFF FALLING OUT ON THE ROAD, ECT AND FEEL THESE ORIGINAL LATCHES NEED TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. EVERY FORZA OWNER WE HAVE TALKED TO HAS THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY I DO NOT HAVE ANY PICS OR DOCUMENTATION ANY LONGER.

NHTSA ID
11222096
Incident
Apr 6, 2018
Mileage
2,000 mi
Filed Jun 17, 2019

COMPARTMENT DOORS OPEN WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LOCKED. VERY DANGEROUS TO PEDESTRIANS AND OTHERS NEED A RECALL TO FIX ALL DOORS. MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORZA OWNERS. COMPANY ANSWER TO REPLACE WITH STEEL LOCKS. EASIER SAID THAN DONE.

NHTSA ID
11220659
Incident
Jun 5, 2019
Mileage
5,000 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 Forza by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025010
2024010
2023030
2022330
2021220
2020220
20191840
2018Viewing1250
2017140
2016140
2015120
2014230
2013010

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.