NHTSA vehicle safety data

1996 Winnebago Adventurer Recalls & Complaints

The 1996 Winnebago Adventurer has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 14 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Winnebago dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1996 Winnebago Adventurer owner complaints

Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer, describing incidents dated July 7, 1996 to March 1, 2007.

Most-cited components

Engine 4 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Suspension 2 complaints
Equipment 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Of the 14 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10186165 · Filed March 26, 2007
WE PURCHASED AN RV FROM ARIZONA RV OUTLET 5 WEEKS AGO THAT HAD SOME TERRIBLE BRAKE ISSUES, THERE WAS A MINOR FIRE FROM BRAKE ISSUES. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VEHICLE WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.*AK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP US AND EVEN FURTHER, WE PAID FOR A 4 YEAR…
ODI #10048581 · Filed November 24, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FAN BELT FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
ODI #10047484 · Filed November 24, 2003
ON MY 1996 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME (34 FEET) (16,000 GVW) I LOST THE "SERPENTINE FAN BELT" WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VIRGINIA. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF MY POWER STEERING , AND I LOST MY POWER BRAKES! IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP…

Read all 14 complaints

REFRIGERATORS/POSSIBLE FIRE/NORCOLD

NHTSA #10V525000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported October 26, 2010 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 18,461 vehicles

Owners notified December 15, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

WINNEBAGO/SPARE TIRE CARRIER

NHTSA #97V012000 · Equipment — Mechanical — Carrier/Rack · NHTSA notice

Reported February 3, 1997 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 10,590 vehicles

Owners notified January 31, 1997 · Vehicles built July 11, 1988 – September 12, 1996 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER HOIST COMPONENTS CAN BECOME LOOSE WHILE TRAVELING AND ALLOW THE SPARE TIRE TO MOVE FROM ITS STORED POSITION TO THE ROAD SURFACE.

Safety consequence

THE SPARE TIRE CAN CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A PRIMARY SPARE TIRE SUPPORT BRACKET.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 14, 1997. NOTE: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 1-515-582-6939.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

14 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10186165

Fire

Incident: March 1, 2007 · Filed: March 26, 2007

WE PURCHASED AN RV FROM ARIZONA RV OUTLET 5 WEEKS AGO THAT HAD SOME TERRIBLE BRAKE ISSUES, THERE WAS A MINOR FIRE FROM BRAKE ISSUES. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VEHICLE WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.*AK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP US AND EVEN FURTHER, WE PAID FOR A 4 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THROUGH THEM AND THEY NEVER SUBMITTED THE PAYMENT OR INFORMATION TO THE SERVICE COMPANY SO WE CAN GET ANY REPAIRS PAID FOR. WE HAD A TIRE BLOW NOT 60 MILES FROM THEIR LOT THAT BROKE A LEVELER AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP ON THAT EITHER.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10048581

Incident: November 20, 2003 · Filed: November 24, 2003

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FAN BELT FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10047484

Incident: November 20, 2003 · Filed: November 24, 2003

ON MY 1996 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME (34 FEET) (16,000 GVW) I LOST THE "SERPENTINE FAN BELT" WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VIRGINIA. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF MY POWER STEERING , AND I LOST MY POWER BRAKES! IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I AM OVER 6 FEET TALL AND WEIGH MORE THAN 200 POUNDS BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT STILL TOOK OVER 500 FEET TO FINALLY STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGES. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10044251

Filed: October 20, 2003

THE DRIVER SAID, "THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF HOT BRAKE FLUID". HE COULD HEAR THE BRAKE FLUID BOILING WHILE INSIDE OF MOTOR HOME". AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP. *AK

Power Train

ODI #10026554

Incident: July 3, 2003 · Filed: August 7, 2003

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THERE WAS NO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING THE GEAR. *AK WHEN ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. (THE VEHICLE COOLED FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN THE REVERSE FUNCTIONED) *SCC *JB

Power Train

ODI #10011013

Incident: February 25, 2003 · Filed: March 25, 2003

I PURCHASED A 1996 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV WITH 16,209 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SECOND TIME THAT I USED THE VEHICLE, THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK AFTER IT HAD BEEN RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THERE IS A TEK TIP, FROM TOLEDO TRANS-KIT, WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE PROBLEM. "TRANSMISSION HAS GOOD REVERSE UNTIL THE UNIT REACHES FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. PRIMARILY AFTER SUBSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAUSE HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE USE OF SHORT LIP SEALS ON THE DIRECT DRUM PISTON CAUSING THE DIRECT CLUTCH NOT TO APPLY WHEN REVERSE IS SELECTED. THIS IS FOR THE THM 4L80-E/4L80-EHD TRANSMISSION BUILT BY CHEVROLET. I WROTE TO WINNEBAGO AND THEY REFERRED ME TO CHEVROLET. CHEVROLET SAID THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID ANYMORE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ((JIM SLAIN-25 MARCH 2003).

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #875091

Incident: November 16, 2000 · Filed: November 16, 2000

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED SIX TIMES. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE EACH TIME.*AK THE DEALER REPAIRED ALL SIX FAILURES AS CHARGING THE CONSUMER. ALSO FUMES GET INTO THE MOTOR HOME CAUSING SICKNESS TO CONSUMER AND FAMILY. VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING. *YH

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #828743

Incident: May 20, 1998 · Filed: November 9, 1998

VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WINNEBEGO WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS MADE TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITHIN 1 YEAR TIME FRAME. *AK

Parking Brake

ODI #822896

Incident: July 7, 1996 · Filed: April 29, 1998

THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD. THE BRAKE WILL ENGAGE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN LET GO. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

Unknown or Other

ODI #700321

Filed: November 4, 1998

WANT TO KNOW IF THEIR ANY RECALLS ON THIS MAKE, MODEL,YEAR, ETC?

Other Winnebago Adventurer model years

Check your 1996 Winnebago Adventurer VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Winnebago Adventurer at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Winnebago VIN