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NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Winnebago Chieftain Recalls & Complaints

The 1998 Winnebago Chieftain has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4 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 1998 Winnebago Chieftain. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

1998 Winnebago Chieftain owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain, describing incidents dated March 12, 1998 to March 25, 1998.

Most-cited components

  • Parking Brake 2 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint
  • Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10109332 · Filed

    PARK BRAKE SYSTEM IS PERIODICALLY ADJUSTED, IF NOT FULLY ENGAGE, ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER FOUND RESERVOIR FOR THE FLUID EMPTY AND THE CONVERTER TO THE PUMP WAS FLUID OF FLUID AND NOT MAKING CONNECTIONS, ALSO THE PRESSURE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. A NEW SWITCH, DRUMS…

  • ODI #10101366 · Filed

    WHILE PARKED AND EMERGENCY AND WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED IT DISENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF CONTROL. *AK THE BRAKE PADS HAD BURNED OUT WITH NO WARNING. *SC *JB

  • ODI #8021703 · Filed

    CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MONOXIDE CARBON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. TS

Read all 4 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/REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNIT FIRE

NHTSA #02V276006 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported December 3, 2002 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.

Potentially affected: 631 vehicles

Vehicles built August 1, 1997 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.

Safety consequence

THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Manufacturer remedy

NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.

Notes

ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

WINNEBAGO/LP HOSE

NHTSA #98V015000 · Fuel System, Other — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported January 26, 1998 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 741 vehicles

Owners notified March 6, 1998 · Vehicles built April 4, 1997 – January 26, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. A LIQUID PROPANE (LP) HOSE WAS INSTALLED IN THE RANGE BURNER BOX. THE ELEVATED TEMPERATURE THE HOSE IS EXPOSED TO INSIDE THIS BOX CAN PREMATURELY AGE THE HOSE CAUSING A POSSIBLE LP LEAK.

Safety consequence

LP GAS LEAKAGE COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE FLEXIBLE HOSE OUTSIDE OF THE RANGE BOX.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 16, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTOR HOMES 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 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Winnebago Chieftain model years

Check your 1998 Winnebago Chieftain VIN

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