RoadVitals

2012 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.
2
Latest Mar 11, 2015
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.
3
Latest Apr 24, 2013
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.
1
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Winnebago Sightseer, most frequently naming the body & structure and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Body & structure266.7%
  • Other / unspecified133.3%

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

3 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
13V161000

EQUIPMENT

Apr 24, 2013
1,918 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Minnie Winnie, Aspect, Sightseer, Adventurer, and Journey motorhomes; and model year 2012-2014 Itasca Spirit, Cambria, Sunova, Suncruiser, and Meridian motorhomes. The affected vehicles were manufactured January 10, 2012, through April 5, 2013 and may be missing a range enclosure.
The risk: A missing range enclosure may allow the gas range flame to be extinguished due to air flow. In such a case, propane gas will continue to flow without a flame. If propane continues to flow, in the presence of an ignition source, it may suddenly combust resulting in a fire and/or personal injury.
The remedy: Winnebago notify owners and dealers will install a range enclosure, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-3535. Winnebago's recall campaign number is 128.
Winnebago Industries, IncManufacturer number 128View on NHTSA.gov
12V389000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Aug 8, 2012
165 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Winnebago and Itasca motor homes. A cutting machine may have scored the copper propane tubing resulting in unknown long-term reliability.
The risk: If the copper tubing fails, propane can escape leading to a fire or explosion which can result in property damage, personal injury, or death.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will replace the copper tubing, free of charge. The recall began on September 6, 2012. Owners may contact Winnebago Industries Owner Relations at 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.Manufacturer number 126View on NHTSA.gov
12V057000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Feb 16, 2012
2,841 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WINNEBAGO AND ITASCA MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD F-53 CHASSIS. THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE ‘PRNDL’ DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.
The risk: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THEY ARE IN PARK OR REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE15011ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Entry Step Failures

Opened Apr 6, 2015
Closed Jan 8, 2016

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) which reported an injury related to the unintentional deployment of the electric entry step on a subject vehicle.The owner reported to Winnebago that the steps extended while in motion.Service personnel from Winnebago instructed the owner to disconnect the wire harness at the steps to prevent them from extending while traveling and then reconnect when needed.The owner did this and was subsequently pinned beneath the steps when they extended upon reconnecting the wire harness.When deployed the steps extend approximately thirty (30) inches from the side of the vehicle.This reach facilitates easy entry into the motor home, but creates a hazard when unintentionally deployed in transit.The driver may not be immediately aware the stepsare extended which increases the possibility of striking another object or person.During the investigation, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to collect information from Winnebago.ODI analyzed this data and determined that a significant number of claims reported entry steps failures.Many of these claims specifically stated the steps extended while the vehicle was in transit. Winnebago service personnel offered multiple options to temporally disable the entry steps so that travelers could safely drive the vehicle.Depending on the situation fixes ranged from sending a field service technician, to instructing the individual to disconnect the wire harness the same as the owner who submitted the VOQ. A review of the time to failure indicated that most failures occur early in the vehicle's life.The average time to failure was five (5) months in service.Most reported failures occurred within the first year of ownership.ODI determined no design or installation changes had been made to the subject components prior to opening this investigation.Over the course of the investigation Winnebago identified several opportunities for improvement.Changes were made to current production to improve entry door reliability and durability in August 2015.Winnebago has submitted recall 15V-866.This recall covers vehicles produced between August 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015.With the recall action taken by Winnebago, this investigation is closed as further use of agency personnel does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10693551

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 15V866000

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Mar 11, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE STAIRS AT THE EXIT DOOR CAME OUT WHILE IN MOTION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ID
10693551
Incident
Feb 18, 2013
Mileage
3,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 5, 2013

OUR 2012 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 30A COMES EQUIPPED WITH A SINGLE PEDESTAL AIR-ASSISTED DINETTE TABLE. OUR ORIGINAL PEDESTAL BEGAN LOWERING BY ITSELF, AND BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT TO LIFT BACK TO TABLE LEVEL. WE FOUND IT HAD STARTED TO COMPLETELY LOWER WHILE DRIVING. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE 2 PASSENGER SEAT BELTS ARE LOCATED IN THE DINETTE, AND IF THE TABLE FALLS IT CAN CAUSE INJURY TO THE PASSENGERS LEGS, OR COULD MAKE IT DIFFICULT, OR IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. THE PEDESTAL COMES WITH 2 PRESSURE CLAMPS, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD LOCK THE TABLE IN PLACE SECURELY, SUCH AS A PIN. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PEDESTAL UNDER WARRANTY WITH THE SAME PART. AS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, WE CAN NOT REPORT ON THE NEW PART. *TR

NHTSA ID
10533660
Incident
Feb 12, 2013
Mileage
9,000 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 Sightseer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019000—
2018030—
2017130—
2016061—
2015051—
2014041—
2013241—
2012Viewing231—
2011020—
2010220—
2009060—
2008160—
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.