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2004 Winnebago Brave problems

The most common problem on the 2004 Winnebago Brave is brakes, typically around 29,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Brave model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
5
Service bulletins
7
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2004 Winnebago Brave problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    7
  • Suspension
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    7
  • Suspension
    1

Recalls 5

EquipmentReported October 26, 2010 · 18,461 vehicles affected
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

Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assemblyReported April 8, 2009 · 2,331 vehicles affected
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

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported December 22, 2004 · 3,538 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain motor homes built on a 20,700 gvwr or greater workhorse chassis, there may not be sufficient clearance in the area where the fuel line crosses the frame cross member.
Risk
Without clearance, a condition could develop where the cross member may wear into the fuel line and a fuel leak may develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will repair these motor homes by providing clearance between the fuel line and frame cross member. The fuel line will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. The recall began january 7, 2005. Owners should contact winnebago at 1‑800‑537‑1885.

Recall number 04V609000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported December 18, 2004 · 6,201 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain seat belt buckles on some motor homes fail to conform to the load requirement of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, "seat belt assemblies."
Risk
The seat belt buckle may unlatch in the event of a vehicle crash, possibly resulting in personal injury to the seat occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the buckles. The recall began on november 12, 2004. Owners should contact amsafe at 1‑574‑266‑8330 or winnebago at 1‑800‑537‑1885.

Recall number 04V608000 · Recall details

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailerReported October 16, 2003 · 15,337 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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.

Recall number 03V405000 · Recall details

See all 5 recalls for the 2004 Winnebago Brave

Technical service bulletins for the 2004 Winnebago Brave 7

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2004 Winnebago Brave owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 2, 2018 · Brakes · 29,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 winnebago brave workhorse. While driving, the calibers independently locked without warning, which caused the brakes to lock. As a result, the contact smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke and fire coming from the rear driver and passenger side tires. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries. Police and fire reports were not filed. The vehicle was taken to an auto mechanic where it was diagnosed that the ABS cables were melted and the rear brake system needed to be replaced. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000. *tt

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Brakes · 13,199 miles · NY

On two separate occasions the autopark pressure switch has failed and left us stranded for a total of 10 days while this part {known as "the rotten green switch"} was ordered. The first incident was covered under warranty. The second time on 7/6/2009 the repair bill totaled $463.83 in anchorage, al.. Many other rv owners have experienced similar results as documented in "motorhome" magazine.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Brakes · 54,134 miles · NY

Traveling north on i81 near greencastle,pa. In inclement winter conditions and extremely rough pavement ,the electric/hydraulic emergency brake suddenly came on at 65mph nearly causing an accident. We heard a loud sound of the brake engaging the driveshaft and smelled hot components. We limped off the interstate ad found keystone rv center where repair/inspection was perormed for $366.72. Additional work was later performed at further cost.

Filed Aug 25, 2010 · Brakes · 48,700 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 winnebago brave. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH. As he applied the brakes, the auto park brake light illuminated. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that if the contact continued to drive the vehicle, the parking brake would most likely lock. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,700. The hydraulic actuator started leaking updated 12/30/10

Filed Feb 8, 2010 · Brakes · 50,000 miles · FL

I have a 2004 winnebago that is part of the recall for hydraulic brakes, recall 09v110000. This recall is due to "piston expansion" in the caliper that cause the brake pad to lock up and create excessive heat. I have been in touch with workhorse on this matter and I am not satisfied with their performance on dealing with this problem. I have had numerous incidents with this problem for the last 2 years and I have paid out-of-pocket for repairs which involved ABS sensors and wheel bearings. My question to you is - when the piston expansion occurs and/or there is evidence of brake failure, is there a high probablilty of it occuring again since the expansion due to moisture has already swollen the components? If so shouldn't workhorse replace the caliper? I have had several incidents of brake loss, fortunately, I was able to detect it in time and pull off the road to allow the fluid to cool before limping home. I maintain to workhorse that I cannot use my motorhome until this is fixed. They say that I can continue to use the unit under those conditions. I would like to have your opinion on this. I have difficulty with driving a 25000 lb. Vehicle down the road knowing that there is a high probability of complete brake failure.

Filed Oct 31, 2009 · Brakes · 11,000 miles · KY

2004 workhorsechassis(brakes).

Filed Sep 24, 2008 · Brakes, Suspension · 8,272 miles · FL

I had recently completed a 2 week trip driving approx 1800 miles. Was taking my motorhome to a dealer to have a rock guard installed when it started pulling to the right and shifting funny. This was in town with easy driving. I quickly noticed the smell of overheated brakes and immediately, as soon as it was safe, pulled off the road to check. I carry an infrared thermometer and took the temps of all 4 wheel's disc brakes. The front right (passenger) brake was reading over 400 degrees and the 3 others were reading in approximately the 125 degree range. I sat for a while and let it cool and as I was only about 2 miles or so from the dealer, I then proceeded, after determining the brake didn't seem to be locked on that wheel any longer, to the dealers lot. They do not handle brake failures and since it was late on a friday afternoon, I left it there over the weekend. There is a very good heavy truck center less than a half mile from the rv dealer so I took it to them the following monday. After inspecting, testing, etc, it was determined that the brake caliper on that wheel had locked up but after cooling had released. I had caught it in time to avoid cracking the rotor and causing additional damage, fortunately. We replaced the defective caliper and ABS sensor on that wheel. I have not been able to take a long trip yet but am very apprehensive about a recurrence of the problem. I can only be thankful it happened after returning from a two week trip and didn't leave my family stranded several hundred miles from home!!! It appears from my reading and research that the workhorse w22 (2003 chassis) has a record of this type of failure on a regular basis. I hope something can be done to help us with a resolution and ease our minds about the reliability of an otherwise fine product. The shop might have the old caliper but I don't know for sure. I could check if it would help.

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Questions about the 2004 Winnebago Brave

Is the 2004 Winnebago Brave reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2004 Winnebago Brave, close to a typical Brave model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Winnebago Brave?

Brakes, with 7 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles. Next is suspension (1).

How many recalls does the 2004 Winnebago Brave have?

5 recalls, covering equipment, fuel system, diesel and fuel system, gasoline.

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