RoadVitals

2008 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.
1
Latest Jun 3, 2012
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.
6
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2008 Winnebago Sightseer, most frequently naming the brakes category. 6 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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

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
10V467000

SEAT BELTS

Oct 5, 2010
1,925 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2009 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER AND ITASCA SUNOVA MOTOR HOMES BECAUSE THE DINETTE AREA SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS ON THOSE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES." IN A COLLISION, THE GENERATED CRASH FORCES CAN CAUSE THE RESTRAINT'S ATTACHMENT TO TEAR AND ALLOW THE ANCHOR TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE.
The risk: IF THE RESTRAINT SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE DURING A CRASH, THE BELT WILL NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANT.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS A DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 119View on NHTSA.gov
09V342000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:FURNACE

Sep 1, 2009
469 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ACCESS, ASPECT, SIGHTEER AND VISTA, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 ITASCA IMPULSE, CAMBRIA, SUNOVA, AND SUNSTAR, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 WINNEBAGO ACCESS, SIGHTSEER AND VISTA, MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 ITASCA IMPULSE, SUNOVA, AND SUNSTAR MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES MAY HAVE A MISSING STOVE PARTITION THAT ISOLATES THE FURNACE AIR.
The risk: IF THE FURNACE IS OPERATED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE STOVE AND PARTITION IS MISSING, THE STOVE FLAME MAY GO OUT AND THE PROPANE GAS WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW, WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL CORRECT THIS SITUATION BY INSTALLING A STOVE PARTITION THAT ISOLATES THE STOVE FROM THE FURNACE RETURN AIR AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 113View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 2012

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER WITH A WORKHORSE W18 CHASSIS WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2009. ON 4/11/12, I HAD AN ABS WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT DISPLAYED AN INDICATION TO "CHECK ABS!" AND TOOK IT TO CHILHOWEE RV ON 4/14/12. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE CHASSIS AND FRONT WHEELS, CHILHOWEE DETERMINED THAT THE ABS SENSOR ON THE DRIVER FRONT WHEEL HAD BURNED OUT DUE TO OVERHEATING OF THE WHEEL. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD EXCESSIVELY WORN PADS AND A SCORCHED ROTOR, CALIPERS WOULDN'T RELEASE, AND BRAKE LINE WAS NOT RELEASING FLUID CAUSED BY A COLLAPSED BRAKE LINE AND/OR CALIPER DEFECT. THE REAR BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND FOUND TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE. MY WORKHORSE WARRANTY DOESN'T EXPIRE UNTIL 7/7/12. CHILHOWEE RV SUBMITTED A WARRANTY CLAIM TO WORKHORSE AND PROVIDED ALL NECESSARY EXPLANATIONS AND PICTURES TO DOCUMENT THE CLAIM. WORKHORSE CLAIMS OFFICE DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE OF OPERATOR FAILURE -- "SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE DROVE DOWN A HILL WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE"; AND "IT IS A DRIVER/VEHICLE OPERATION FAILURE AND AS SUCH NOT A WORKHORSE WARRANTY REPAIR." THE REPAIRS WERE FINALLY COMPLETED ON 5/30/12 WITH A TOTAL COST OF $4,490.03. PARTS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THROUGH WORKHORSE WHICH AMOUNTED TO $3,418.70. IN THE END, WORKHORSE TURNED A $3,418.70 DEBT INTO A $3,418.70 PROFIT. THERE ARE PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF W18 CHASSIS IN SERVICE WITH THIS POTENTIAL DEFECT. YOU DO THE MATH ON HOW MUCH MONEY WORKHORSE CAN MAKE BY DENYING CLAIMS AND SELLING REPLACEMENT PARTS WHILE PUTTING LIVES AT RISK. THERE HAVE BEEN 31 BRAKE RECALLS ISSUED BY WORKHORSE OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS FOR W20/21/22 CHASSIS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE REPAIR INVOICE FROM CHILHOWEE RV, WORKHORSE REGISTRATION OF MY RV, WORKHORSE WARRANTY STATEMENT, ALL THE E-MAILS BETWEEN CHILHOWEE RV AND WORKHORSE, PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND THE DEFECTIVE PARTS THEMSELVES ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460395
Incident
Apr 11, 2012
Mileage
15,300 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 Sightseer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2018030—
2017130—
2016061—
2015051—
2014041—
2013241—
2012231—
2011020—
2010220—
2009060—
2008Viewing160—
2007490—
20063100—
2005850—
2004960—
20031180—
20021050—
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.