2006 Itasca Ellipse problems

What is wrong

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.

Risk

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.

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.

Recall number 10V525000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Winnebago is recalling 1,699 my 2005-2009 winnebago journey, tour and itasca meridian and ellipse motor homes built on the freightliner xc chassis. The chassis contains steering filters that can plug due to failure of the screen adhesion to the filter housing causing a rise in return line pressure potentially leading to a hose separation from the filter or steering gear fitting resulting in a sudden loss of steering fluid and power assist.

Risk

Sudden loss of steering assist without warning involving a motor home could be a problem for certain drivers increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Freightliner is conducting this recall and will replace the affected filters with a larger filter (please see 07v570). Owners may contact freightliner at 1‑800‑547‑0712 or winnebago at 1‑641‑585‑3535.

Recall number 08V223000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain motor homes fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, 'lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.' the rear and rear-side red reflectors are located above the 60-inch height limit.

Risk

Non-standard side marker and reflector lights could reduce visibility of vehicles and increase the potential for a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will add reflex reflectors in compliant locations free of charge. The recall began on december 5, 2007. Owners may contact winnebago at 641‑585‑3535.

Recall number 07V491000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes built with cummins isl cm850 diesel engines, the connecting rod contains a machining defect in the wrist pin bushing of the rod that could cause a seizure of the piston pin.

Risk

If allowed to progress, this can lead to engine failure with the possibility of the rod rupturing the lock cavity, spilling oil and debris onto the roadway increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Winnebago is working with cummins to recalibrate the engine control module and enhance the engine protection system enabling it to provide early detection of the failure mode and avoid more serious engine damage and resultant safety hazard. Cummins will also install a new valve cover with a crankcase pressure sensor free of charge (please see 07e033). Owners may contact cummins at 1‑800‑343‑7357 or winnebago at 641‑585‑3535.

Recall number 07V390000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes equipped with kwikee brand electric steps, the steps may have been manufactured with defective step control units.

Risk

The defective control units could develop an electrical short allowing for the potential of the plastic case to ignite, possibly resulting in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the kwikee step and replace the step control unit, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on december 23, 2005. Owners may contact winnebago at 1‑800‑537‑1885.

Recall number 05V573000 · Recall details

What is wrong

On certain motor homes, the cinch bolt, where the steering column connects to the intermediate shaft, was improperly tightened. This could result in the bolt threads being stripped, conceivably not providing a tight joint.

Risk

If the joint is loose, the intermediate shaft has the potential to slip off the spline shaft of the steering column causing loss of steering control. This could result in personal injury or vehicle and property damage.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the cinch bolt and nut. The recall began november 4, 2005. Owners may contact winnebago at 641‑585‑6939.

Recall number 05V496000 · Recall details

During this investigation, ODI identified 29 reports of cracked and/or fractured hitch receiver assemblies installed on the subject vehicles.The majority (27 of 29) of the reported hitch incidents occurred prior to the initiation of PE10-048 in December, 2010.This investigation has been characterized by (1) Scant forensic samples available for inspection and review since most of the reported incidents occurred prior to ODI?s investigation and pertinent material has been scrapped; (2) Uncertainty regarding the contributory role of issues such as unintended hitch contact with road surfaces, use of hitches with offsets that exceed Winnebago recommendations; and (3) Other usage factors.Based on reported failures, the indicated failure rate for detected and reported cracking /fracture incidents associated with the estimated population of subject vehicles was found to be 0.10% after the vehicles had been in service for between 6 and 8 years.Reports were higher in calendar year 2007 (9 reports) than in succeeding years 2008-2010 (3-5 reports per year) and 2011 (2 reports) and appear likely to decline further due to diminished use associated with vehicle aging.ODI is aware of only one consumer complaint (ODI# 10368002) in its files describing a hitch receiver malfunction in Winnebago-Itasca vehicles.As of September 2013, Winnebago has reported that there have been no additional incidents of cracked or fractured hitch receivers reported since the most recent incident reported in May 2011.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For more detailed information, see the attached closing report.

PE10048