NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Winnebago Sightseer Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Winnebago Sightseer has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 10 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 2002 Winnebago Sightseer. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2002 Winnebago Sightseer owner complaints

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer, describing incidents dated June 2, 2003 to July 8, 2023.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 4 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Equipment 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Parking Brake 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 10 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11531364 · Filed July 10, 2023
We were driving the Rv home immediately after purchase. I was in the vehicle with my two children. I was traveling down a flat road at roughly 40 mph when the brakes began to drag. I thought possibly it was simply because the rv was so large and I had never driven one that big before. Until the…
ODI #10490788 · Filed January 2, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V186000…
ODI #10446787 · Filed February 6, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER RV WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS, MODEL NUMBER: WPD27C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY…

Read all 10 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> .

OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS/BOSCH/WORKHORSE

NHTSA #09V186000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported May 28, 2009 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Owners notified May 1, 2009 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WINNEBAGO/SAMSUNG/MICROWAVES

NHTSA #03V405000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported October 16, 2003 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 15,337 vehicles

Vehicles built May 1, 2000 – October 31, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

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

WINNEBAGO/COOKING RANGE

NHTSA #03V243000 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice

Reported July 8, 2003 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 2,684 vehicles

Winnebago campaign 89 · Owners notified July 10, 2003 · Vehicles built March 27, 2001 – May 8, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 89.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (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

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 2002 Winnebago Sightseer. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer.

Service Brakes

ODI #11531364

Incident: July 8, 2023 · Filed: July 10, 2023

We were driving the Rv home immediately after purchase. I was in the vehicle with my two children. I was traveling down a flat road at roughly 40 mph when the brakes began to drag. I thought possibly it was simply because the rv was so large and I had never driven one that big before. Until the brakes would no longer work at all. I tried pumping them a few times and the pedal just hit the floor. Thank goodness I was safely able to put into neutral while using the e brake to coast off the road. I’m beyond grateful my family wasn’t harmed. I had to have the vehicle towed to my home and now I seriously worry about the safety of it. I have read in numerous forums upon searching that there have been many recalls on the brakes in workhorse chassis from 2001- 2007 I believe. I’ve called everyone I could think to call, checking for a recall as exactly per the recall states my vehicle malfunctioned. The dealer is not willing to help me. These brakes failed completely. Please advise

Suspension; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Air; Service Brakes

ODI #10490788

Incident: December 27, 2012 · Filed: January 2, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V186000 (SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM WITH THE MANUFACTURER IF HIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 44,000. ... UPDATED 02/28/13 *BF UPDATED 03/12/2013 *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10446787

Incident: February 6, 2004 · Filed: February 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER RV WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS, MODEL NUMBER: WPD27C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, HE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEELS. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXTREMELY HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY 2-3 HOURS BEFORE THE BRAKES COOLED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BENNIX BRAKE CALIPERS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.

Electrical System

ODI #10270164

Fire

Incident: May 24, 2009 · Filed: May 28, 2009

IN TRYING TO START THE MOTOR HOME, I NOTED THE IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE KEY, IT STARTED. WHILE DRIVING I NOTICED A PUNGENT ODOR, INDICATIVE OF BURNING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND BURNT WIRING AND CONNECTORS BELOW THE STEERING COLUMN. THE IGNITION SWITCH APPARENTLY OVERHEATED, DISTORTED AND CONTINUED BURNING IN PLACE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WORKHORSE, THE CHASSIS MANUFACTURER, SELLS AN AFTERMARKET KIT TO MITIGATE THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS SWITCH IS OVERLOADED AND THE LOAD SHOULD BE DECREASED ON IT, OR THE SWITCH SHOULD BE DESIGNED WITH THE INCREASED LOAD COMPENSATION INCLUDED. WINNEBAGO/WORKHORSE SHOULD BE SUPPLYING A "FIX" FOR THIS PROBLEM AND INFORMING THE MOTORING PUBLIC OF THE DANGER INHERENT IN THE FLAWED DESIGN OF THIS IGNITION SYSTEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10203834

Incident: September 1, 2007 · Filed: September 19, 2007

2002 MOTORHOME WITH A RECALL FOR THE SCDS RECALL. CUSTOMER STATES THE MECHANIC UNPLUGGED THE ( SCDS) SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MECHANIC ALSO STATED IT WOULD BE DECEMBER WHEN THEY COULD ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. *KB THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO THE KNOW THE STATUS OF VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/03/07 *TR

Equipment

ODI #10072226

Incident: May 6, 2004 · Filed: May 6, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 03V243000 CONCERNING RECREATIONAL VEHICLE:LPG FURNACE COOKING RANGE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR HIS VEHICLE. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. IT HAS BEEN NINE MONTHS AND NO ONE HAS CONTACTED HIM. CONSUMER RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. *AK

Parking Brake; Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10063030

Filed: July 15, 2004

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION IN THE IGNITION SWITCH WIRING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND DETERMINED THAT IGNITION SWITCH WIRES MELTED. IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. *AK AUTO PARK SYSTEM FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES. ALSO, SPARK PLUG WIRES BURNED UP. IT WAS ASSUMED THAT THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE FUEL PUMP, BUT VEHICLE STILL MALFUNCTIONED AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON, ENGINE TEMPERATURE ROSE AROUND 210 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, DEALER CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERMOSTAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. INSTALLED NEW THERMOSTAT. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH WHEN BEING DRIVEN UPHILL. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT SPARK PLUGS WHERE WORN OUT. DEALER REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION WIRES. *LA

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10039862

Incident: June 2, 2003 · Filed: September 8, 2003

NAR 9-8-03. DEALER UNABLE TO PERFORM THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR REPAIR. *CB

Equipment

ODI #10022668

Incident: June 9, 2003 · Filed: June 26, 2003

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS OVER LOADED. *AK THE NEW TELEVISION WHICH OPERATED FROM A 12 VOLT INVERTER OVERLOADED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TELEVISION AND POWER INVERTER AND INSTALLED AN AUTO 25 AMP BREAKER. CONSUMER REMOVED THE AUTO RESET BREAKER AND INSTALLED A STANDARD 25 AMP FUSE. HOWEVER CIRCUIT WAS STILL OVERLOADED. DEALERSHIP NOT WILLING TO ASSIST ANYTHING FURTHER. *TT *JB

Steering; Structure

ODI #10012397

Filed: April 3, 2003

THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE INSTABILITY PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN ISSUE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE WEIGHT BEING BUILT IN REARWARD OF THE REAR AXLE. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OVER STEERING PROBLEM. *JB

Other Winnebago Sightseer model years

Check your 2002 Winnebago Sightseer VIN

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

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