2003 Itasca Sunova

Routine

Owners filed 4 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 7 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Tires1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
000
Service Brakes1
010
Parking Brake1
000

7 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.

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.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer04V358000
Filed Jul 19, 20045,645 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, MODELS MR1031WB, MR1032BB, MR1033SB, MR1351WB, AND MR1352BB, THE MICROWAVES 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.

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.

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 1-800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer03V405000
Filed Oct 16, 200315,337 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

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.

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.

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.

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer03V243000
Filed Jul 8, 20032,684 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, WHEN THE COOKING RANGE AND FURNACE ARE OPERATING AT THE SAME TIME, THE FLAME ON THE COOKING RANGE COULD BE FORCED DOWNWARD OVER THE BURNER OR FLAME OUTAGE COULD OCCUR. THIS CONDITION IS DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FURNACE AND COOKING RANGE WHEREBY THE FURNACE MAY DRAW AIR IN FROM ABOVE THE RANGE BURNERS AND CAUSE A DOWNDRAFT.

Risk. SHOULD THIS OCCUR, THE FLAME MAY GO OUT, AND THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS WILL CONTINUE TO FLOW. THIS IS A HAZARDOUS SITUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN AN EXPLOSION OR FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN AIR RESTRICTOR PANEL UNDER THE RANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

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.

Tires › Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire03V049000
Filed Feb 20, 2003176 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN MODEL D30B MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD CHASSIS, A PLATE, WHICH IS USED TO SUPPORT THE SPARE TIRE, WAS INADVERTENTLY LEFT OFF A NUMBER OF THESE MOTOR HOMES.

Risk. WITHOUT THIS ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, THE SPARE TIRE COULD FALL OFF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE AND POSSIBLY PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW SUPPORT PLATE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 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 1-641-585-6939.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesFire
Filed Oct 18, 201212,600 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR AND NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABNORMALLY PULLING TO THE LEFT. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL BEGAN TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES WERE OVERHEATING, CAUSING THE CALIPERS TO STICK AND THE HYDRO BOOST TO STOP FUNCTIONING. THE MECHANIC THEN ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,600.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 28, 20119,800 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 ITASCA SUNOVA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AFTER WAITING A WHILE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL MODULE. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,800. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 1/4/11 *CN

Parking Brake
Filed Feb 28, 20119,800 milesCA

BRAKE FAILURE ITASCA RV. *TR

Tires
Filed Jun 29, 2004100 milesIA

WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE CONSUMER HEARD AN EXPLOSION. AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT, THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE INSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. ALSO ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE OUTSIDE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOW OUT AT THE SIDE WALL. *LA THE PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWED: FRAYED VALVE STEM EXTENDER, GAUGES WERE INOPERATIVE AND THE STORAGE LOCK WAS INOPERATIVE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE CONSUMER PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM REPAIR AND WITHIN TWO MILES, THE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND ANOTHER TIRE HAD A BULDGE. ONE HUNDRED AND TEN MILES LATER, ANOTHER TIRE BLEW, FOURS HOURS LATER IT WAS REPLACED AND AFTER STOPPING FOR GAS, ANOTHER TIRE WAS REPAIRED DUE TO A FLAT. THREE TIRES WERE REPLACED AND THERE TWO FLAT TIRES WITH NO SIGN OF CAUSE. *SC *JB

4 of 4 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20190100Routine
20180300Routine
20170300Routine
20160600Routine
20151400Routine
20140400Routine
20131400Routine
20120300Routine
20111200Routine
20100200Routine
20090500Routine
20080400Routine
20071600Routine
20062700Routine
20052400Routine
20041600Routine
2003 — this page4710Routine
20022400Routine
20010300Routine
20000200Routine
19990100Routine
19980100Routine
19970100Routine
19960100Routine

Compare every Sunova 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.