2004 Winnebago Sightseer

Routine

Owners filed 9 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has been recalled 6 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
000
Suspension › Front1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light1
000
Service Brakes1
000
Parking Brake1
000
Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly1
000
Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer1
000
Engine and Engine Cooling1
000

6 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic09V186000
Filed May 28, 2009Winnebago Industries, Inc.

Defect. WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Risk. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 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.

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.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 201629,000 milesCA

WE HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE AND THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. WE HAVE A WORKHORSE P32 AND I HAD TO APPLY THE E BRAKE TO STOP THE RV. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD TRUCK SHOP AND FOUND OUT THE BRAKE CALIPERS AND ALL OTHER COMPONENTS WERE EITHER BURNT OR CRACKED. THIS SURE DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT TO ME SINCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE WORKHORSE W SERIES AND NOT THE P SERIES!

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 21, 201056,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE MODEL WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE BRAKES AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP IN HIS AREA, THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ONLY SEND SIX KITS AT A TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED FOR 8 MONTHS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BECAUSE THEY USE THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO TRAVEL SOUTH FOR THE WINTER AND THE BRAKE HAVE ALREADY FAILED WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 56000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 19, 201029,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKES WOULD DRAG EXCESSIVELY AT ANY SPEED AND THE HUBCAPS WOULD OVERHEAT WHEN DRIVING AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CALIPERS WERE CLEANED AND LUBRICATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY CLEANED AND LUBRICATED THE CALIPERS A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,121. UPDATED 11/11/10 *BF THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO CANCEL HIS COMPLAINT. A RECALL WAS ISSUED AND HIS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 11/17/10.*JB

Equipment › Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
Filed Sep 15, 2009LA

I OWN A 2004 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME AND THIS PAST WEEK WHILE I WAS HAVING WORK DONE ON THE COACH, I TOLD THEM I HAD A MICRO WAVE OVEN THAT HAS BEEN STARTING UP ON ITS OWN FOR NO REASON, AND COULD THEY CHECK IT OUT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SAMSUNG MICROWAVE AND THEY GAVE ME INFO TO CONTACT THEM. I WAS SENT BY SAMSUNG TO A SERVICE TECH IN MY HOMETOWN AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED SAMSUNG AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NO LONGER THEIR PROBLEM. THE CLAIM # AT SAMSUNG WAS 3000534097 THE SERVICE ORDER # WAS 4005534563 THE LADY I TALKED TO AT SAMSUNG SAID THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT AND THEY WERE NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 7, 200923,523 milesMA

THIS MAY PERTAIN TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN EA07016. 2004 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER 35 N WITH WORKHORSE W22 (NOT SURE OF CHASSIS YEAR)CHASSIS. WHILE UNDERWAY NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A LOSS OF POWER, STEERING WHEEL PULLING TO THE LEFT. NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT WAS HAPPENING ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN/STOP COACH. PEDAL WAS NOT FIRM AND AT ONE POINT I THOUGHT I HAD LOST BRAKING. BURNING (SLIGHT) ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE THE COACH WITH WINDOWS CLOSED. STOPPED TWICE TO LOOK UNDER COACH FOR ANY EVIDENCE OF FLUID LEAKS (DARK OUT NO LIGHT) NO OBVIOUS LEAK. LEFT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS WARMER THAN OTHERS. THIS WAS ALL HAPPENING RELATIVELY QUICKLY. I PROCEEDED WITH CAUTION FOR ABOUT 10 MILES WHERE I FOUND A SHOPPING CENTER, STOPPED (NOW DAYLIGHT) CHECKED MASTER CYLINDER LEVEL AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE NEEDING FLUID (RUBBER DIAPHRAGM UNDER CAP HAD EXPANDED) ADDED AT LEAST 3 MAYBE FOUR 9 OUNCE PAPER CUPS ABOUT 1/3 FULL AND RESERVOIR STILL HAD ROOM. NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKING. AFTER ABOUT 45 MIN. CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 100 MILES NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. BRAKES WORK BUT COULD BE BETTER. I STOPPED OVER NIGHT AT A FRIENDS HOUSE FOR 2 NIGHTS. HE WAS A SCHOOL BUS MECHANIC AND SUGGESTED THAT WE RAISE THE COACH (DID THAT WITH COACH JACKS) FIRST THE FRONT WHEELS AND FOUND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CALIPERS TO BE STICKING. WE EXERCISED THE PISTONS SEVERAL TIMES, ALSO FOUND THE PADS TO BE STICKING ON THE CALIPERS. A SMALL AMOUNT OF NEVERSEIZE WAS APPLIED BETWEEN THE PADS AND THE CALIPER CASTING SLIDING SURFACE. RAISED THE REAR OF

Parking Brake
Filed Oct 16, 2007FL

2004 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT HE HAS HAD THE SENSOR, ACTUATOR, SWITCH, AND PUMP REPLACED. CONSUMER STATES IT BECAME DISABLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR. *KB THE PARTS THAT WERE REPLACED WERE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID. *JB

Fuel System, Other › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 28, 20052,250 milesNY

MAKE: WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER MODEL: 2004 WFD30B SERIAL NO: [XXX] (WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES) CHASSIS VIN: [XXX](WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS) DELIVERY DATE: JAN. 24, 2004 (PURCHASED NEW) CURRENT MILEAGE: 14,000 1. GAS TANK LEAK ~RIGHT SIDE OF GAS TANK LEAKING FUEL; NOTICED FUEL POURING FROM REAR OF TANK WHEN FILLING UP AT STATION 2. SAFETY RECALL ~SEAT BELTS (WINNEBAGO ISSUE NOT CORRECTED, WAITING FOR PARTS)3. SWAY BAR ~BOLTS FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING (APRIL 2005) 4. SAFETY RECALL ~INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (APRIL 2005) 5. AIRBAG ~RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG IN SUSPENSION SYSTEM DEFLATED AFTER ONLY 49 DAYS OF USE (AUGUST 2005) 6. DIFFERENTIAL ~DEFECT CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK FROM AXLE TUBE IN REAR-END (AUGUST 2005) 7. SHOCK BRACKET ~MANGLED AND TWISTED, CAUSING SHOCK TO FALL (AUGUST 2005) UNDETERMINED CAUSE; NOT A ROADHAZARD 8. DASH AIR ~BLOWS HOT AIR WHEN SITTING IN TRAFFIC OR AT IDLE; OVERHEATS AND LEAKS ANTIFREEZE REQUIRED NUMEROUS REPAIR ATTEMPTS: FOUR IN 2004 AND THEN AGAIN FOUR IN 2005 TOTAL DAYS IN SHOP FOR THIS DEFECT ALONE: 45 (26 IN 2004 AND 19 IN 2005) WORKHORSE REPS STATED TO ME THAT "CERTAIN MODELS" OF MOTORHOME HAVE "FLAWS IN THE SYSTEM" THAT THE ENGINEERS OF BOTH CORPORATIONS REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THEY KNOWINGLY SELL A PRODUCT THAT IS EXPECTED TO FAIL. SINCE MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE ELDERLY (RETIRED) AND COMPLACENT, THE COMPANY BANKS ON NOT HEARING FROM THEM. WHEN THEY DO, THE CUSTOMER IS FORCED TO NEGOTIATE REPAIRS. WORKHORSE REPS EXCUSE POOR PERFORMANCE OF

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Jan 4, 20058,000 milesMD

WHEN BEING SOLD THE BRAKE SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE LP GAS TANK WAS LEAKING. DEALER HAS SINCE RE[PAIRED THE PROBLEMS. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed Nov 10, 20032,200 milesCA

THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF VIBRATION THAT CAUSES THE DASHBOARD TO BOUNCE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HARD TO READ THE GAUGES. THIS VIBRATION IS FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS THE FLOOR. THE VIBRATION IS VERY FATIGUING ON OUR HANDS. *AK ALSO THE UNIT HAS A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH SWAY IN TURNS AND PASSING OTHER TRUCKS AND CARS. OUR COMMENTS-LET'S TAKE IT FROM THE TOP. FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE HEARD MANY OF YOUR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER, SO THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD. THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS MODEL IS POOR HANDLING IN THE WIND AND WE WOULD SUGGEST BOTH SWAY BAR AND SHOCK UPGRADES. THAT WILL TAME SOME OF THE WANDER. YOU ALSO WILL WANT TO GET YOUR COACH WEIGHED TO BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH WEIGHT ON THE FRONT AXLE. REMEMBER, 1/3 OF THE GW ON THE FRONT AXLE, 2/3S ON THE BACK AXLE. OKAY, NOW ONTO THE VIBRATION. BALANCING AND ALIGNMENT DO NO GOOD IF THE WHEELS ARE OUT OF ROUND, AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD CHASSIS, OR ALSO A POSSIBILITY, THE TIRES ARE OUT OF ROUND. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THE RUN-OUT ON THE TIRES. FOR THE RECORD, WE HAVE DRIVEN THE FORD CHASSIS SEVERAL TIMES IN TYPE AS AND VIBRATION IS NOT NORMALLY PART OF THE MENU. YOUR CD PLAYER IS ALMOST SURELY SKIPPING DUE TO VIBRATION, IF IT IS AS BAD AS YOU DESCRIBE. UNLESS YOUR DEALER IS A CERTIFIED FORD SERVICE CENTER, WE WOULD TRY WORKING WITH A FORD DEALER THAT ROUTINELY DEALS WITH MOTORHOMES. SOME NOISE FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY BE NORMAL.

9 of 9 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20180300Routine
20171300Routine
20160600Routine
20150500Routine
20140400Routine
20132400Routine
20122300Routine
20110200Routine
20102200Routine
20090600Routine
20081600Routine
20074900Routine
200631000Routine
20058500Routine
2004 — this page9600Routine
200311830Routine
200210510Routine
20010400Routine
20000200Routine
19990100Routine
19980100Routine
19970100Routine
19960100Routine

Compare every Sightseer 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.