2006 Itasca Sunrise 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 2,331 my 2002-2004 brave and itasca sunrise my 2005 2006 winnebago voyage, adventurer, itasca sunrise and suncruiser motor homes. The propane tank mounting bracket may have an incomplete or improper weld.

Risk

Should the weld fail, the propane tank can tip or fall, possibly releasing propane which has the potential to ignitea fire, resulting in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and properly weld the bracket free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during may 2009. Owners may contact winnebago at 800‑537‑1885.

Recall number 09V113000 · Recall details

What is wrong

Certain motor homes built on workhorse chassis may have been equipped with incorrect steering intermediate shafts. The steering could become loose at the steering box during tight steering maneuvers.

Risk

This steering condition could result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Workhorse is conducting this recall (please see 06v148000) and will inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering intermediate shaft. Owners may contact workhorse at 1‑877‑294‑6883 or winnebago at 1‑641‑585‑3535.

Recall number 06V250000 · 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

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