2001 Winnebago Brave recalls & complaints

1. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V405000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

What could happen: SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP BELTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 25, 2001. 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 AM-SAFE AT 1-219-266-8330…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V128004.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-219-266-8330.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Equipment — fix not yet available

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

What could happen: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

The fix: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. The fix is not available yet. Register your contact details with the dealer so they call you when parts arrive.
3. Ask the dealer to confirm the repair is free of charge — safety recall repairs are free by US law.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-9101.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Equipment

What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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-…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V525000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-9101.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE COPPER LINE SUPPLYING LIQUID PROPANE GAS (LPG) TO THE FURNACE MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY CLAMPED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE LINE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH A METAL FLANGE.

What could happen: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE COPPER LINE COULD BE DAMAGED AND COULD DEVELOP A LEAK WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE LPG LINE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 12, 2001. 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 1-641-585-6939.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V099000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-641-585-6939.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Fuel system

What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD CHASSIS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE INCORRECT LIQUID PROPANE (LP) GAS TANK BRACKET. DEPENDING ON HOW THE TANK WAS INSTALLED, THERE MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TANK AND A BOLT HEAD ON THE SUSPENSION. WITHOUT CLEARANCE, THE TANK COULD BE DAMAGED.

What could happen: OVER TIME, COULD DEVELOP A LEAK WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE, RESULTING IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE LP GAS TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 19, 2001. 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 1-641-585-6939.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 01V225000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-641-585-6939.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2001 BRAVE.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 03V060000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-641-585-3535.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Brakes (2), Hydraulic (2), Electrical system (1), Electronic Stability Control (1), Body / structure (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.