RoadVitals

2002 Winnebago Vista

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.
3
Latest Aug 22, 2007
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 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.
2
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Winnebago Vista, most frequently naming the engine, suspension and transmission categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 9 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

  • Engine133.3%
  • Suspension133.3%
  • Transmission133.3%

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
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
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
02V153000

TRAILER HITCHES

Jun 12, 2002
229 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, AN IMPROPERLY MOUNTED TRAILER HITCH MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE MOTOR HOMES. THE TRAILER HITCH MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED FASTENERS ATTACHED TO THE MOTOR HOME.
The risk: IF THE HITCH IS UTILIZED, IT COULD STRESS THE EXISTING FASTENERS. A CONDITION COULD EXIST THAT WOULD SHEAR OR LOOSEN THE REMAINING FASTENER CAUSING THE HITCH TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRAILER HITCH, AND IF NECESSARY, ADD OR REPLACE THE MOUNTING HARDWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 21, 2002. 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 WINNEBAGO 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.

EA08002ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE

Opened Jan 4, 2008
Closed Mar 14, 2008

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS AND ARE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AS RQ 07-002 AFTER RECEIVING FOUR CONSUMER REPORTS OF FAN BLADE FAILURE ON MODEL YEAR 2002 WINNEBAGO RIALTA AND VISTA VEHICLES.AS A RESULT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN RESPONSE TO RQ 07-002, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) 08-002.THE SCOPE OF THE EA INVESTIGATION WAS ALSO EXPANDED TO COVER MODEL YEARS 2001 THROUGH 2004 RIALTA AND VISTA, 2002 THROUGH 2004 SUNSTAR, AND 2001 THROUGH 2003 EUROVAN.ALL OF THESE VEHICLES UTILIZE THE SAME ENGINE COOLING FAN.HOWEVER, THE WINNEBAGO VEHICLES ARE LARGER AND HEAVIER THAN THE EUROVAN.AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE COOLING FAN WOULD OPERATE MORE FREQUENTLY IN THE WINNEBAGO VEHICLES COMPARED TO THE EUROVAN FOR THE SAME ON-ROAD OPERATING CONDITIONS.ANALYSIS OF THE AVAILABLE DATA CONCERNING THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT IT PREDOMINATELY AFFECTS THE MY 2002 WINNEBAGO MODELS.WINNEBAGO ACCOUNTS FOR 79% OF ALL THE REPORTS, BUT REPRESENTS ONLY 23% OF THE TOTAL SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE MAJORITY OF THE WINNEBAGO REPORTS ARE FOR THE MODEL YEAR 2002 (64%).THE DATA SHOW A DECLINING REPORT TREND, PARTICULARLY FOR THE 2002 WINNEBAGO.REPORTS ON THE 2002 WINNEBAGO REACHED A HIGH OF 11 REPORTS IN CALENDAR YEAR 2005, DROPPING TO THREE REPORTS IN 2006,TWO REPORTS IN 2007, AND ONE REPORT IN 2008.AN EXISTING SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
RQ07002ClosedRecall Query

ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE

Opened Sep 5, 2007
Closed Jan 4, 2008

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FOUR REPORTSALLEGING FAILURE OF AN ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THREE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE FAN DISINTEGRATED AND TWO OF THE THREE ALLEGED THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT.THE FOURTH COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING AND OVERHEATING.WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTED THAT PIECES OF THE FAN WERE MISSING.ALL FOUR VEHICLES WERE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS.TWO OF THE VEHICLES ARE RIALTA MODELS AND TWO ARE VISTA MODELS.BASED ONADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TOENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA 08-002 FOR FURTHER STUDY.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Recent owner complaints

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

Suspension
Filed Aug 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO VISTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE STEEL AROUND THE REAR SHACKLE THAT HELD THE SPRING DISINTEGRATED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RUSTED STEEL CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO GET INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10200469
Incident
Aug 3, 2007
Mileage
101,000 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 17, 2004

VEHICLE VIBRATED SEVERELY WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, AND THE 3.0L ENGINE OVERHEATED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER,WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE COOLING FAN MISSING A PIECE OF THE RIM, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10088064
Incident
Jul 2, 2004
Mileage
10,400 mi
Transmission
Filed Aug 11, 2003

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STUCK BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THIS WAS CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION FAILURE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10033529
Mileage
17,000 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 Vista by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025020—
2024020—
2023050—
2022030—
2021040—
2020130—
2019230—
2018440—
2017250—
2016160—
2015470—
2014330—
2013440—
2012040—
2011340—
2010040—
2009050—
2008140—
2007340—
2006020—
2005010—
2004031—
2003131—
2002Viewing332—
2001021—
2000010—
1999010—
1998010—
1997010—
1996010—

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.