RoadVitals

2002 Winnebago Sightseer

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.
10
Latest Jul 10, 2023
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 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and electrical 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

  • Brakes535.7%
  • Other / unspecified214.3%
  • Electrical214.3%
  • Steering17.1%
  • Body & structure17.1%
  • Suspension17.1%
  • Driver assistance17.1%
  • Engine17.1%

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
09V186000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

May 28, 2009
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.
The risk: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 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

View all 10
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2023

We were driving the Rv home immediately after purchase. I was in the vehicle with my two children. I was traveling down a flat road at roughly 40 mph when the brakes began to drag. I thought possibly it was simply because the rv was so large and I had never driven one that big before. Until the brakes would no longer work at all. I tried pumping them a few times and the pedal just hit the floor. Thank goodness I was safely able to put into neutral while using the e brake to coast off the road. I’m beyond grateful my family wasn’t harmed. I had to have the vehicle towed to my home and now I seriously worry about the safety of it. I have read in numerous forums upon searching that there have been many recalls on the brakes in workhorse chassis from 2001- 2007 I believe. I’ve called everyone I could think to call, checking for a recall as exactly per the recall states my vehicle malfunctioned. The dealer is not willing to help me. These brakes failed completely. Please advise

NHTSA ID
11531364
Incident
Jul 8, 2023
BrakesSuspension
Filed Jan 2, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V186000 (SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM WITH THE MANUFACTURER IF HIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF UPDATED 03/12/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID
10490788
Incident
Dec 27, 2012
Mileage
44,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER RV WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS, MODEL NUMBER: WPD27C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 HOURS BEFORE THE BRAKES COOLED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BENNIX BRAKE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

NHTSA ID
10446787
Incident
Feb 6, 2004
Mileage
14,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 28, 2009
Fire reported

IN TRYING TO START THE MOTOR HOME, I NOTED THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY, IT STARTED. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A PUNGENT ODOR, INDICATIVE OF BURNING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND BURNT WIRING AND CONNECTORS BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE IGNITION SWITCH APPARENTLY OVERHEATED, DISTORTED AND CONTINUED BURNING IN PLACE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WORKHORSE, THE CHASSIS MANUFACTURER, SELLS AN AFTERMARKET KIT TO MITIGATE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS SWITCH IS OVERLOADED AND THE LOAD SHOULD BE DECREASED ON IT, OR THE SWITCH SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH THE INCREASED LOAD COMPENSATION INCLUDED. WINNEBAGO/WORKHORSE SHOULD BE SUPPLYING A "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM AND INFORMING THE MOTORING PUBLIC OF THE DANGER INHERENT IN THE FLAWED DESIGN OF THIS IGNITION SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10270164
Incident
May 24, 2009
Mileage
19,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 19, 2007

2002 MOTORHOME WITH A RECALL FOR THE SCDS RECALL. CUSTOMER STATES THE MECHANIC UNPLUGGED THE ( SCDS) SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MECHANIC ALSO STATED IT WOULD BE DECEMBER WHEN THEY COULD ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO THE KNOW THE STATUS OF VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10203834
Incident
Sep 1, 2007
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH WIRES MELTED. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK AUTO PARK SYSTEM FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, SPARK PLUG WIRES BURNED UP. IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE FUEL PUMP, BUT VEHICLE STILL MALFUNCTIONED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, ENGINE TEMPERATURE ROSE AROUND 210 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERMOSTAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. INSTALLED NEW THERMOSTAT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH WHEN BEING DRIVEN UPHILL. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT SPARK PLUGS WHERE WORN OUT. DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION WIRES. *LA

NHTSA ID
10063030
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Mileage
28,479 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed May 6, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V243000 CONCERNING RECREATIONAL VEHICLE:LPG FURNACE COOKING RANGE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIS VEHICLE. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. IT HAS BEEN NINE MONTHS AND NO ONE HAS CONTACTED HIM. CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10072226
Incident
May 6, 2004
Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2003

NAR 9-8-03. DEALER UNABLE TO PERFORM THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR REPAIR. *CB

NHTSA ID
10039862
Incident
Jun 2, 2003

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 Sightseer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2018030—
2017130—
2016061—
2015051—
2014041—
2013241—
2012231—
2011020—
2010220—
2009060—
2008160—
2007490—
20063100—
2005850—
2004960—
20031180—
2002Viewing1050—
2001040—
2000020—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—
1995000—
1994000—

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.