2003 Itasca Suncruiser

Routine

Owners filed 4 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment10V525000
Filed Oct 26, 201018,461 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

Equipment09V300000
Filed Jul 29, 20091,547 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.

Risk. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy. WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer05V407000
Filed Sep 14, 20051,367 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.

Risk. THIS CAN ALLOW EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIALS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OI VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V609000
Filed Dec 22, 20043,538 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A 20,700 GVWR OR GREATER WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THERE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE IN THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL LINE CROSSES THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER.

Risk. WITHOUT CLEARANCE, A CONDITION COULD DEVELOP WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER MAY WEAR INTO THE FUEL LINE AND A FUEL LEAK MAY DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTOR HOMES BY PROVIDING CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRAME CROSS MEMBER. THE FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Brake Fluid Low Warning › Lamp03V060000
Filed Feb 21, 20038,532 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105,"HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Risk. IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. 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 1-641-585-3535.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 25, 201027,000 milesDE

I HAVE A 2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER WITH THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS THAT IS UNDER RECALL FOR THE BRAKE CALIPER PROBLEMS. I ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM LAST SUMMER AND TOOK IT TO PARKVIEW RV IN SMYRNA, DE. THEY REBUILT THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES, SEALS, CALIPERS, PADS AND SENSORS WHICH HAD MELTED. AT THE TIME THEY TOLD ME WORKHORSE WOULD NOT PAY FOR ANY OF THE WORK. LAST WEEK I TOOK THE REPAIRED UNIT TO FLORIDA AND IN TAMPA HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES SMOKING AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. I AM TAKING IT BACK TO PARKVIEW SO THEY CAN DOCUMENT THE NEW PROBLEMS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $1,000. FOR REPAIRS AND NOW IT APPEARS IT WILL ALL HAVE TO BE DONE AGAIN. I ONLY DROVE FOR 2,000 MILES AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS BAD AGAIN. I NEED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE INITIAL REPAIR AND A MORE PERMANENT FIX NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE UNIT. I HAVE A $85,000 RV I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN. THE WORKHORSE HELP LINE DIRECTS YOU TO A MAILBOX THAT IS FULL. I CAN NOT GET ANYONE ON THE LINE. IF NECESSARY I WILL SPEND REPAIR MONEY ON AN ATTORNEY TO GET THIS RESOLVED. ANYTHING YOU CAN DO WILL BE APPRECIATED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 26, 200818,674 milesAL

BRAKE PROBLEM ON WORKHOUSE CHASSIS MOTORHOME. CALIPERS LOCKUP, APPARENTLY DO TO PINS. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM. REPLACED ALL 4 ROTOR. 4CALIPERS.2 SETS BRAKE PADS, 4 OIL SEALS, 4 BRAKE HOSE,2 AXLE GASKETS. ALL AT A COST OF $3502.97 I HAVE ROTORS, CALIPERS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 5, 200815,944 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER RV. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. HE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE RESTARTED IT, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HIGHER THAN USUAL AND HE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ALL FOUR CALIBERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,944.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 3, 2005FL

2003 ITASCA SUNCRUISER MOTORHOME EXPERIENCES STALLING AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN.*MR THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DRIVE 200 MILES BEFORE IT STALLS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO SEVERAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD THREE CRANK SENSORS REPLACED. *NM

4 of 4 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20180300Routine
20170300Routine
20160600Routine
20150500Routine
20140300Routine
20131500Routine
20120300Routine
20110300Routine
20101200Routine
20090300Routine
20080300Routine
20074310Routine
20062300Routine
20055600Routine
20046300Routine
2003 — this page4500Routine
20022200Routine
20013200Routine
20003200Routine
19994200Routine
19980200Routine
19972210Routine
19961110Routine
19952200Routine
19941000Routine
19930100Routine

Compare every Suncruiser year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Oct 26, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.