2004 Winnebago Sightseer 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 2004 Winnebago Sightseer, 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%
- Engine215.4%
- Other / unspecified215.4%
- Suspension215.4%
- Fuel system17.7%
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
WE HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. WE HAVE A WORKHORSE P32 AND I HAD TO APPLY THE E BRAKE TO STOP THE RV. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK SHOP AND FOUND OUT THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS WERE EITHER BURNT OR CRACKED. THIS SURE DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WORKHORSE W SERIES AND NOT THE P SERIES!
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE MODEL WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IN HIS AREA, THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ONLY SEND SIX KITS AT A TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR 8 MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY USE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO TRAVEL SOUTH FOR THE WINTER AND THE BRAKE HAVE ALREADY FAILED WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS MAY PERTAIN TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN EA07016. 2004 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 35 N WITH WORKHORSE W22 (NOT SURE OF CHASSIS YEAR)CHASSIS. WHILE UNDERWAY NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LOSS OF POWER, STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO THE LEFT. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN/STOP COACH. PEDAL WAS NOT FIRM AND AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I HAD LOST BRAKING. BURNING (SLIGHT) ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE THE COACH WITH WINDOWS CLOSED. STOPPED TWICE TO LOOK UNDER COACH FOR ANY EVIDENCE OF FLUID LEAKS (DARK OUT NO LIGHT) NO OBVIOUS LEAK. LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS WARMER THAN OTHERS. THIS WAS ALL HAPPENING RELATIVELY QUICKLY. I PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION FOR ABOUT 10 MILES WHERE I FOUND A SHOPPING CENTER, STOPPED (NOW DAYLIGHT) CHECKED MASTER CYLINDER LEVEL AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE NEEDING FLUID (RUBBER DIAPHRAGM UNDER CAP HAD EXPANDED) ADDED AT LEAST 3 MAYBE FOUR 9 OUNCE PAPER CUPS ABOUT 1/3 FULL AND RESERVOIR STILL HAD ROOM. NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKING. AFTER ABOUT 45 MIN. CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 100 MILES NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. BRAKES WORK BUT COULD BE BETTER. I STOPPED OVER NIGHT AT A FRIENDS HOUSE FOR 2 NIGHTS. HE WAS A SCHOOL BUS MECHANIC AND SUGGESTED THAT WE RAISE THE COACH (DID THAT WITH COACH JACKS) FIRST THE FRONT WHEELS AND FOUND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CALIPERS TO BE STICKING. WE EXERCISED THE PISTONS SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO FOUND THE PADS TO BE STICKING ON THE CALIPERS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF NEVERSEIZE WAS APPLIED BETWEEN THE PADS AND THE CALIPER CASTING SLIDING SURFACE. RAISED THE REAR OF THE COACH, AND REAR WHEELS SEEMED OK. HAVE CONTINUED ABOUT 200 MILES WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENCE. HAVE AROUND 23,500 ON COACH I AM ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE ABOUT 1100 MILES TO GO TO RETURN TO MY HOME. *TR
MAKE: WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER MODEL: 2004 WFD30B SERIAL NO: [XXX] (WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES) CHASSIS VIN: [XXX](WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS) DELIVERY DATE: JAN. 24, 2004 (PURCHASED NEW) CURRENT MILEAGE: 14,000 1. GAS TANK LEAK ~RIGHT SIDE OF GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL; NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM REAR OF TANK WHEN FILLING UP AT STATION 2. SAFETY RECALL ~SEAT BELTS (WINNEBAGO ISSUE NOT CORRECTED, WAITING FOR PARTS)3. SWAY BAR ~BOLTS FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (APRIL 2005) 4. SAFETY RECALL ~INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (APRIL 2005) 5. AIRBAG ~RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFLATED AFTER ONLY 49 DAYS OF USE (AUGUST 2005) 6. DIFFERENTIAL ~DEFECT CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK FROM AXLE TUBE IN REAR-END (AUGUST 2005) 7. SHOCK BRACKET ~MANGLED AND TWISTED, CAUSING SHOCK TO FALL (AUGUST 2005) UNDETERMINED CAUSE; NOT A ROADHAZARD 8. DASH AIR ~BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE; OVERHEATS AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE REQUIRED NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS: FOUR IN 2004 AND THEN AGAIN FOUR IN 2005 TOTAL DAYS IN SHOP FOR THIS DEFECT ALONE: 45 (26 IN 2004 AND 19 IN 2005) WORKHORSE REPS STATED TO ME THAT "CERTAIN MODELS" OF MOTORHOME HAVE "FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM" THAT THE ENGINEERS OF BOTH CORPORATIONS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOWINGLY SELL A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPECTED TO FAIL. SINCE MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE ELDERLY (RETIRED) AND COMPLACENT, THE COMPANY BANKS ON NOT HEARING FROM THEM. WHEN THEY DO, THE CUSTOMER IS FORCED TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. WORKHORSE REPS EXCUSE POOR PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS ON THEIR CHASSIS BY STATING THAT IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR MOTORHOME USE; YET THEY SELL THEIR PRODUCT TO MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAMILIES BUT EVERYONE SHARING THE ROAD WITH THEIR VEHICLES. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM
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
I OWN A 2004 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME AND THIS PAST WEEK WHILE I WAS HAVING WORK DONE ON THE COACH, I TOLD THEM I HAD A MICRO WAVE OVEN THAT HAS BEEN STARTING UP ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON, AND COULD THEY CHECK IT OUT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAMSUNG MICROWAVE AND THEY GAVE ME INFO TO CONTACT THEM. I WAS SENT BY SAMSUNG TO A SERVICE TECH IN MY HOMETOWN AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED SAMSUNG AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. THE CLAIM # AT SAMSUNG WAS 3000534097 THE SERVICE ORDER # WAS 4005534563 THE LADY I TALKED TO AT SAMSUNG SAID THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *TR
WHEN BEING SOLD THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE LP GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS SINCE RE[PAIRED THE PROBLEMS. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAKE: WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER MODEL: 2004 WFD30B SERIAL NO: [XXX] (WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES) CHASSIS VIN: [XXX](WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS) DELIVERY DATE: JAN. 24, 2004 (PURCHASED NEW) CURRENT MILEAGE: 14,000 1. GAS TANK LEAK ~RIGHT SIDE OF GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL; NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM REAR OF TANK WHEN FILLING UP AT STATION 2. SAFETY RECALL ~SEAT BELTS (WINNEBAGO ISSUE NOT CORRECTED, WAITING FOR PARTS)3. SWAY BAR ~BOLTS FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (APRIL 2005) 4. SAFETY RECALL ~INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (APRIL 2005) 5. AIRBAG ~RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFLATED AFTER ONLY 49 DAYS OF USE (AUGUST 2005) 6. DIFFERENTIAL ~DEFECT CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK FROM AXLE TUBE IN REAR-END (AUGUST 2005) 7. SHOCK BRACKET ~MANGLED AND TWISTED, CAUSING SHOCK TO FALL (AUGUST 2005) UNDETERMINED CAUSE; NOT A ROADHAZARD 8. DASH AIR ~BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE; OVERHEATS AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE REQUIRED NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS: FOUR IN 2004 AND THEN AGAIN FOUR IN 2005 TOTAL DAYS IN SHOP FOR THIS DEFECT ALONE: 45 (26 IN 2004 AND 19 IN 2005) WORKHORSE REPS STATED TO ME THAT "CERTAIN MODELS" OF MOTORHOME HAVE "FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM" THAT THE ENGINEERS OF BOTH CORPORATIONS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOWINGLY SELL A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPECTED TO FAIL. SINCE MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE ELDERLY (RETIRED) AND COMPLACENT, THE COMPANY BANKS ON NOT HEARING FROM THEM. WHEN THEY DO, THE CUSTOMER IS FORCED TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. WORKHORSE REPS EXCUSE POOR PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS ON THEIR CHASSIS BY STATING THAT IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR MOTORHOME USE; YET THEY SELL THEIR PRODUCT TO MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAMILIES BUT EVERYONE SHARING THE ROAD WITH THEIR VEHICLES. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM
THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF VIBRATION THAT CAUSES THE DASHBOARD TO BOUNCE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HARD TO READ THE GAUGES. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE FLOOR. THE VIBRATION IS VERY FATIGUING ON OUR HANDS. *AK ALSO THE UNIT HAS A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH SWAY IN TURNS AND PASSING OTHER TRUCKS AND CARS. OUR COMMENTS-LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE HEARD MANY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER, SO THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD. THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MODEL IS POOR HANDLING IN THE WIND AND WE WOULD SUGGEST BOTH SWAY BAR AND SHOCK UPGRADES. THAT WILL TAME SOME OF THE WANDER. YOU ALSO WILL WANT TO GET YOUR COACH WEIGHED TO BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE. REMEMBER, 1/3 OF THE GW ON THE FRONT AXLE, 2/3S ON THE BACK AXLE. OKAY, NOW ONTO THE VIBRATION. BALANCING AND ALIGNMENT DO NO GOOD IF THE WHEELS ARE OUT OF ROUND, AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD CHASSIS, OR ALSO A POSSIBILITY, THE TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE RUN-OUT ON THE TIRES. FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE DRIVEN THE FORD CHASSIS SEVERAL TIMES IN TYPE AS AND VIBRATION IS NOT NORMALLY PART OF THE MENU. YOUR CD PLAYER IS ALMOST SURELY SKIPPING DUE TO VIBRATION, IF IT IS AS BAD AS YOU DESCRIBE. UNLESS YOUR DEALER IS A CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE CENTER, WE WOULD TRY WORKING WITH A FORD DEALER THAT ROUTINELY DEALS WITH MOTORHOMES. SOME NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BE NORMAL. IT DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH. ARE YOU HAVING ANY PROBLEM WITH IT? AGAIN, WHY NOT HAVE FORD CHECK IT RATHER THAN YOU DEALER? AS A FINAL NOTE, YOUR CHASSIS IS WARRANTED BY FORD, WHY DO YOU CARE WHAT YOUR DEALER WANTS? IF THEY CAN'T FIX IT, GET TO SOMEONE THAT CAN!! VIBRATION OF THIS MAGNITUDE MAY BE DANGEROUS. FILE A REPORT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THANKS FOR WRITING THE STAFF @ MRO
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MAKE: WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER MODEL: 2004 WFD30B SERIAL NO: [XXX] (WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES) CHASSIS VIN: [XXX](WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS) DELIVERY DATE: JAN. 24, 2004 (PURCHASED NEW) CURRENT MILEAGE: 14,000 1. GAS TANK LEAK ~RIGHT SIDE OF GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL; NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM REAR OF TANK WHEN FILLING UP AT STATION 2. SAFETY RECALL ~SEAT BELTS (WINNEBAGO ISSUE NOT CORRECTED, WAITING FOR PARTS)3. SWAY BAR ~BOLTS FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (APRIL 2005) 4. SAFETY RECALL ~INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (APRIL 2005) 5. AIRBAG ~RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFLATED AFTER ONLY 49 DAYS OF USE (AUGUST 2005) 6. DIFFERENTIAL ~DEFECT CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK FROM AXLE TUBE IN REAR-END (AUGUST 2005) 7. SHOCK BRACKET ~MANGLED AND TWISTED, CAUSING SHOCK TO FALL (AUGUST 2005) UNDETERMINED CAUSE; NOT A ROADHAZARD 8. DASH AIR ~BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE; OVERHEATS AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE REQUIRED NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS: FOUR IN 2004 AND THEN AGAIN FOUR IN 2005 TOTAL DAYS IN SHOP FOR THIS DEFECT ALONE: 45 (26 IN 2004 AND 19 IN 2005) WORKHORSE REPS STATED TO ME THAT "CERTAIN MODELS" OF MOTORHOME HAVE "FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM" THAT THE ENGINEERS OF BOTH CORPORATIONS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOWINGLY SELL A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPECTED TO FAIL. SINCE MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE ELDERLY (RETIRED) AND COMPLACENT, THE COMPANY BANKS ON NOT HEARING FROM THEM. WHEN THEY DO, THE CUSTOMER IS FORCED TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. WORKHORSE REPS EXCUSE POOR PERFORMANCE OF SYSTEMS ON THEIR CHASSIS BY STATING THAT IT IS NOT DESIGNED FOR MOTORHOME USE; YET THEY SELL THEIR PRODUCT TO MOTORHOME MANUFACTURERS. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THEIR CUSTOMERS AND FAMILIES BUT EVERYONE SHARING THE ROAD WITH THEIR VEHICLES. UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM
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 .