RoadVitals

2013 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 Jun 26, 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.
4
Latest Dec 7, 2017
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.
0
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Winnebago Sightseer, most frequently naming the body & structure and seat belts categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 8 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 & structure150.0%
  • Seat belts150.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
17V782000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 7, 2017
17,360 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Winnebago Era, Travato, Minnie Winnie, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Brave, Vista, Sightseer, Adventurer, Forza, Journey, Tour, Revel, Paseo, Chalet, Access, and Intent motorhomes and Commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 Itasca Spirit, Navion, Cambria, Tribute, Sunstar, Sunova, Suncruiser, Solei, Meridian, Elipse, Horizon, Reyo, and Via motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. The recall began on January 19, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Winnebago Industries, IncView on NHTSA.gov
13V162000

EQUIPMENT

Apr 26, 2013
523 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Winnebago Access, Aspect, Sightseer, Vista, Adventurer, Forza and Itasca Impulse, Cambria, Sunova, Sunstar, Suncruiser motorhomes manufactured February 20, 2013, through April 25, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowningly become damaged. A damaged motor may lead to an unfurling of the awning.
The risk: If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Winnebago will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began on July 17, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.
Winnebago Industries Inc.View 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

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 Jun 26, 2025

the hood bracket glue failed and the hood bracket was detached. The vehicle was unsafe to drive but need to be moved from a gas station. More damage was done during the move. We have not had a dealer or inspector looking at the vehicle. There were no warning messages of the problem failure. This failure has been reported on other Winnebago Sightseers on other websites. There is a recall for the year 2014-2023 but not for the 2013 Winnebago as yet.

NHTSA ID
11669463
Incident
Jun 25, 2025
Seat belts
Filed May 7, 2014
1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH AN ARIZONA TOWN AT 35 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED TO RED JUST WITHIN BREAKING DISTANCE. IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE STOP LINE, I HAD TO BRAKE HARDER THAN USUAL. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO BE SLAMMED INTO THE SAFETY BELT AND INJURED. THE SAFETY BELT CAUSED SEVERE PRESSURE ON THROAT AND WIND PIPE. THE PASSENGER WAS 5 FOOT 3 INCHES. REASON FOR INCIDENT: THE UPPER FIXATION POINTS OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEERS ARE VERY HIGH. FOR SHORTER PEOPLE THE SAFETY BELT WILL RUN ACROSS THE THROAT AND WINDPIPE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, RESPECTIVELY. HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS ARE NOT POSSIBLE. REQUEST FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SAFETY BELT FIXATIONS AT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE SHOP HAS BEEN DECLINED. REASON FOR DECLINE WAS THAT THIS WAS A WINNEBAGO DESIGN THAT MUST NOT BE ALTERED AND WINNEBAGO DOES NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTION. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT MANY REQUESTS HAD ALREADY COME FROM OTHER SIGHTSEER OWNERS BUT ALL REQUESTS HAD BEEN DECLINED BY WINNEBAGO. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR SHORT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS: DURING A REAL EMERGENCY BREAKING SITUATION OR CRASH THE SHORT DRIVER/PASSENGER WILL BE BADLY SLAMMED INTO THE SAFETY BELT. IF THE SAFETY BELT RUNS ACROSS THE THROAT AND WINDPIPE SEVERE INJURIES MAY RESULT. IN VERY BAD CASES THE IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE SAFETY BELT MAY RESULT IN SUFFOCATION AND/OR SNAPPING THE NECK, THUS CAUSING FATALITIES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586920
Incident
Apr 14, 2014
Mileage
7,500 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—
2013Viewing241—
2012231—
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.