NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Winnebago Adventurer Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Winnebago Adventurer has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 16 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 2003 Winnebago Adventurer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Winnebago Adventurer owner complaints

Owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Winnebago Adventurer, describing incidents dated May 21, 2003 to February 1, 2011.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 10 complaints
Equipment 3 complaints
Steering 2 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint

Of the 16 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10380230 · Filed February 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE…
ODI #10306740 · Filed February 5, 2010
I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE DRAG FOR A THIRD TIME ON MY MOTOR HOME AND AM FILING A THIRD COMPLAINT. TRAVEL WAS ON LEVEL ROADS IN URBAN AREA TRAFFIC (LOW SPEED STOP AND GO) WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO DRAG. I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SURFACE AND HAD TO WAIT HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL…
ODI #10280197 · Filed August 12, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPER ON THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. WORKHORSE CHASSIS ISSUED RECALL NUMBER 50901-C AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FALL OF 2009. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE…

Read all 16 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> .

REFRIGERATOR FIRE/NORCOLD

NHTSA #09V300000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice

Reported July 29, 2009 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,547 vehicles

Owners notified August 31, 2009 · Vehicles built May 10, 2001 – March 26, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

REFRIGERATOR ROOF VENT RELOCATION

NHTSA #05V407000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported September 14, 2005 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,367 vehicles

Winnebago campaign 96 · Owners notified September 9, 2005 · Vehicles built May 2, 2002 – August 12, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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

Notes

WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 96.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

WINNEBAGO/CROSSMEMBER CLEARANCE/FUEL LINE

NHTSA #04V609000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported December 22, 2004 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 3,538 vehicles

Winnebago campaign 93 · Owners notified January 7, 2005 · Vehicles built August 6, 2003 – September 3, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 93. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

WINNEBAGO/BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR

NHTSA #03V060000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Brake Fluid Low Warning — Lamp · NHTSA notice

Reported February 21, 2003 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 8,532 vehicles

Winnebago campaign 88 · Owners notified April 25, 2003 · Vehicles built August 1, 1999 – January 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 88.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 Winnebago Adventurer. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

16 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Winnebago Adventurer.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10380230

Incident: February 1, 2011 · Filed: February 4, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V060000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT WHEN THE PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE HE WOULD BE NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND STATED THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE THE CONTACT FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT DONE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,849.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10306740

Incident: October 8, 2009 · Filed: February 5, 2010

I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE DRAG FOR A THIRD TIME ON MY MOTOR HOME AND AM FILING A THIRD COMPLAINT. TRAVEL WAS ON LEVEL ROADS IN URBAN AREA TRAFFIC (LOW SPEED STOP AND GO) WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO DRAG. I FOUND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD SURFACE AND HAD TO WAIT HOURS FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PROCEED HOME BY BEING VERY CAUTIOUS WITH APPLYING BRAKES AND AVOIDING ANY CONGESTED AREAS. I HAD THE WORKHORSE AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER INSPECT THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NO EXTERNAL CAUSE FOR THE DRAG (CORRODED SLIDES, ETC.) ROTORS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (MAR 2009) AND BRAKE FLUID WAS CHANGED TO MAKE SURE MOISTURE RETENTION WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO PAY FOR ALL OF THE WORK TO DATE - WORKHORSE IS NOT INSPECTING THEIR BRAKES AFTER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCED AS STATED IN YOUR "DEFECT INVESTIGATION EA07016 DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE" THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10280197

Incident: August 11, 2009 · Filed: August 12, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CALIPER ON THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED UP. WORKHORSE CHASSIS ISSUED RECALL NUMBER 50901-C AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE FALL OF 2009. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE REPLACEMENT IF ANY FAILURES BEGAN TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CURRENTLY DO NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10256254

Incident: January 19, 2009 · Filed: January 25, 2009

MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38G WITH WORKHORSE CHASSIS HAD A REAR BRAKE FAILURE THAT WAS IDENTICAL TO BRAKE FAILURES COVERED BY A WORKHORSE RECALL THROUGH THE 2002 MODELS. AFTER CONSIDERABLE CORRESPONDENCE WITH WORKHORSE & FINALLY WITH WINNEBAGO, WORKHORSE RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO PAY 1/2 OF THE COST. ON JANUARY 19, 2009, THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED ON THIS SAME MOTOR HOME. I AM NOW LOOKING AT OVER $2,000 IN REPAIRS. IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COMPLETED BY COGGIN CHEVROLET AT THE AVENUES, JACKSONVILLE, FL. ON MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2009. MIRACULOUSLY, WE WERE ONLY ABOUT 5 MILES FROM COGGIN WHEN THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED. THEY OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE CAUGHT ON FIRE PRIOR TO GETTING TO COGGIN. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE SO HOT THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS WERE MELTED. THE COGGIN (WORKHORSE) MECHANIC SAID THIS HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 38G MOTOR HOMES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10250408

Incident: November 1, 2008 · Filed: December 1, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE CALIPERS BEGAN TO STICK WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE CAUSED OTHER BRAKING ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE BRAKES WAS OVER 1,000 DEGREES. THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $4,000. THE CONTACT IS CONTEMPLATING ON WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10234383

Incident: November 5, 2007 · Filed: July 15, 2008

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY I COULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 40 MPH. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT THEN LIT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OF MY MOTORHOME WITH A WORKHORSE W-20 CHASSIS. I THEN BEGAN TO SMELL BURNING BRAKES. I THEN SLOWED AND TRAVELED A MILE OR SO TO THE NEAREST EXIT. WHILE ON THE EXIT RAMP I LOST ALL BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST, I USED THE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL WINNEBAGO DEALER WHERE IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO REPLACE ALL CALIPERS AND PADS, REAR ABS SENSORS, AND BRAKE FLUIDS AS IT HAD BOILED THE SYSTEM. A ZERK FITTING WAS ALSO INSTALLED INTO THE BRAKE BAR. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR INCIDENTS I THOUGHT IT BEST TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR

Trailer Hitches

ODI #10232856

Incident: April 24, 2008 · Filed: June 26, 2008

2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER TOW-BAR RECEIVER BECAME UNBOLTED ON THE LEFT SIDE WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TOW BAR WAS ALSO BENT BACKWARD AND DOWN SINCE THE RIGHT SIDE WAS STILL SECURELY BOLTED. *KB THE OWNER OF THE WELDING SHOP STATED THE BOLTS WERE NEVER TIGHTENED PROPERLY. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10216487

Fire

Incident: March 28, 2005 · Filed: January 30, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR. THE DEALER REPAIRED HIS VEHICLE ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V060000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING). FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL ACCOMPANIED BY THE BURNING ODOR. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE FRONT HUB SEALS, BRAKE PADS, AND ABS SENSORS. ONE YEAR LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FLUSHED OUT THE BRAKE FLUID AND INSTALLED TWO NEW BRAKE SENSORS. THE POWERTRAIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,634 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,396.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10205700

Incident: October 8, 2007 · Filed: October 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER 203WFG35U. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH UNDER DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTING AND HE BEGAN TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING. NEXT, THE ABS LIGHT, WARNING BUZZER, AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH DUE TO THE BRAKES LOCKING UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, AND HOSES DUE TO THE HEAT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 37,000.

Visibility

ODI #10165305

Incident: June 18, 2006 · Filed: August 12, 2006

DRIVER SIDE WINDOWS ON MY 2003 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER HAVE FOGGED UP, LIMITING VISIBILITY AND BEGUN TO LEAK. THESE WINDOWS WERE THERMO-PANED GLASS. *JB

Other Winnebago Adventurer model years

Check your 2003 Winnebago Adventurer VIN

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