2004 Winnebago Brave

Routine

Owners filed 7 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, Hydraulic4
000
Service Brakes3
010

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.

Fuel System, Diesel › Storage › Tank Assembly09V113000
Filed Apr 8, 20092,331 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 2,331 MY 2002-2004 BRAVE AND ITASCA SUNRISE MY 2005 2006 WINNEBAGO VOYAGE, ADVENTURER, ITASCA SUNRISE AND SUNCRUISER MOTOR HOMES. THE PROPANE TANK MOUNTING BRACKET MAY HAVE AN INCOMPLETE OR IMPROPER WELD.

Risk. SHOULD THE WELD FAIL, THE PROPANE TANK CAN TIP OR FALL, POSSIBLY RELEASING PROPANE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITEA FIRE, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND PROPERLY WELD THE BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 800-537-1885.

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.

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly04V608000
Filed Dec 18, 20046,201 vehiclesWinnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON SOME MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOAD REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."

Risk. THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AMSAFE AT 1-574-266-8330 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service BrakesFire
Filed Feb 2, 201829,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO BRAVE WORKHORSE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CALIBERS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FIRE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS CABLES WERE MELTED AND THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000. *TT *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 201554,134 milesNY

TRAVELING NORTH ON I81 NEAR GREENCASTLE,PA. IN INCLEMENT WINTER CONDITIONS AND EXTREMELY ROUGH PAVEMENT ,THE ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC EMERGENCY BRAKE SUDDENLY CAME ON AT 65MPH NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND OF THE BRAKE ENGAGING THE DRIVESHAFT AND SMELLED HOT COMPONENTS. WE LIMPED OFF THE INTERSTATE AD FOUND KEYSTONE RV CENTER WHERE REPAIR/INSPECTION WAS PERORMED FOR $366.72. ADDITIONAL WORK WAS LATER PERFORMED AT FURTHER COST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 201513,199 milesNY

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE AUTOPARK PRESSURE SWITCH HAS FAILED AND LEFT US STRANDED FOR A TOTAL OF 10 DAYS WHILE THIS PART {KNOWN AS "THE ROTTEN GREEN SWITCH"} WAS ORDERED. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME ON 7/6/2009 THE REPAIR BILL TOTALED $463.83 IN ANCHORAGE, AL.. MANY OTHER RV OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR RESULTS AS DOCUMENTED IN "MOTORHOME" MAGAZINE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 25, 201048,700 milesNV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. AS HE APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE AUTO PARK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT IF THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD MOST LIKELY LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,700. THE HYDRAULIC ACTUATOR STARTED LEAKING UPDATED 12/30/10

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 8, 201050,000 milesFL

I HAVE A 2004 WINNEBAGO THAT IS PART OF THE RECALL FOR HYDRAULIC BRAKES, RECALL 09V110000. THIS RECALL IS DUE TO "PISTON EXPANSION" IN THE CALIPER THAT CAUSE THE BRAKE PAD TO LOCK UP AND CREATE EXCESSIVE HEAT. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH WORKHORSE ON THIS MATTER AND I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THEIR PERFORMANCE ON DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS AND I HAVE PAID OUT-OF-POCKET FOR REPAIRS WHICH INVOLVED ABS SENSORS AND WHEEL BEARINGS. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS - WHEN THE PISTON EXPANSION OCCURS AND/OR THERE IS EVIDENCE OF BRAKE FAILURE, IS THERE A HIGH PROBABLILTY OF IT OCCURING AGAIN SINCE THE EXPANSION DUE TO MOISTURE HAS ALREADY SWOLLEN THE COMPONENTS? IF SO SHOULDN'T WORKHORSE REPLACE THE CALIPER? I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF BRAKE LOSS, FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO DETECT IT IN TIME AND PULL OFF THE ROAD TO ALLOW THE FLUID TO COOL BEFORE LIMPING HOME. I MAINTAIN TO WORKHORSE THAT I CANNOT USE MY MOTORHOME UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. THEY SAY THAT I CAN CONTINUE TO USE THE UNIT UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OPINION ON THIS. I HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH DRIVING A 25000 LB. VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD KNOWING THAT THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 31, 200911,000 milesKY

2004 WORKHORSECHASSIS(BRAKES). *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 24, 20088,272 milesFL

I HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A 2 WEEK TRIP DRIVING APPROX 1800 MILES. WAS TAKING MY MOTORHOME TO A DEALER TO HAVE A ROCK GUARD INSTALLED WHEN IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHIFTING FUNNY. THIS WAS IN TOWN WITH EASY DRIVING. I QUICKLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF OVERHEATED BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON AS IT WAS SAFE, PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO CHECK. I CARRY AN INFRARED THERMOMETER AND TOOK THE TEMPS OF ALL 4 WHEEL'S DISC BRAKES. THE FRONT RIGHT (PASSENGER) BRAKE WAS READING OVER 400 DEGREES AND THE 3 OTHERS WERE READING IN APPROXIMATELY THE 125 DEGREE RANGE. I SAT FOR A WHILE AND LET IT COOL AND AS I WAS ONLY ABOUT 2 MILES OR SO FROM THE DEALER, I THEN PROCEEDED, AFTER DETERMINING THE BRAKE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE LOCKED ON THAT WHEEL ANY LONGER, TO THE DEALERS LOT. THEY DO NOT HANDLE BRAKE FAILURES AND SINCE IT WAS LATE ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, I LEFT IT THERE OVER THE WEEKEND. THERE IS A VERY GOOD HEAVY TRUCK CENTER LESS THAN A HALF MILE FROM THE RV DEALER SO I TOOK IT TO THEM THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. AFTER INSPECTING, TESTING, ETC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPER ON THAT WHEEL HAD LOCKED UP BUT AFTER COOLING HAD RELEASED. I HAD CAUGHT IT IN TIME TO AVOID CRACKING THE ROTOR AND CAUSING ADDITIONAL DAMAGE, FORTUNATELY. WE REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE CALIPER AND ABS SENSOR ON THAT WHEEL. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE A LONG TRIP YET BUT AM VERY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT A RECURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM. I CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL IT HAPPENED AFTER RETURNING FROM A TWO WEEK TRIP AND DIDN'T LEAVE MY FAMILY S

7 of 7 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2002
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20180100Routine
20170200Routine
20160300Routine
20152400Routine
20140200Routine
20130100Routine
20110100Routine
20100100Routine
20090100Routine
20080100Routine
20070100Routine
20060100Routine
20050300Routine
2004 — this page7510Routine
200312600Routine
200216530Routine
20016700Routine
20009610Routine
19994100Routine
19984100Routine
19973100Routine
19960300Routine
19953300Routine
19945202Fatalities reported
19932102Fatalities reported
19922100Routine
19910100Routine
19900100Routine

Compare every Brave 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.