2005 Winnebago Vectra problems

Filed May 8, 2013 · Electrical · 53,100 miles · SD

This report is on a failed odometer. At around 53100 miles the odometer set to zero and started counting forward again. I brought the coach to a freightliner dealer in dallas, tx. When the coach was received I was informed that the odometer could not be calibrated to the correct and known mileage indicated by another engine monitoring computer. The actual mileage on the coach at the time of the repair was 53913. While waiting for the repairs to be completed I found another coach through the internet in fl that I wanted to trade my coach for. When I told the rv dealer of the odometer failure he told me that he would not take my coach in trade if the odometer were not corrected to the actual mileage of the unit. We proceeded to work on a deal and I qualified for a loan and have a bank ready to lend me the money for the new to me used coach of a later model year. The dealer has valued my coach at $124,900. As of this writing I have not been able to find a odometer repair shop that can calibrate my odometer to the correct reading of usage. I have contacted freightliner about this matter and they stand firm that it is illegal for them to calibrate the odometer and there is no possible means for this to be accomplished. By their decree my coach has become valueless.

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Visibility · 29,855 miles · OH

The seals of the dual pane windows of the motorhome leak and the windows have become cloudy. This condition is limiting visibility to the review mirrors. I have contacted winnebago and there response was the coach is out of warranty. The cost to replace the three windows is over 2,000. The motorhome has been in indoor storage when not used. This should be a recall issue since the reduced visibiilty could cause serious accidents. The window manufacturer should be held responsible to correct this problem at their expense, not the consumer.

Filed Oct 9, 2008 · Body, Brakes · 2,500 miles · NJ

2005 winnebago vectra & freightliner chassis defects: vehicle total loss of steering control @ 65 MPH against low angle front quarter cross winds. A sudden frontal 30-35 MPH gust of wind @ a 10-15 degree angle of incidence creates a momentary airspeed of 95-100 MPH. The 440 sq ft broad surface area of the chassis has 250% the authority of an 767 rudder that also has a very efficient wing aspect ratio. This 32,000 lb rv is subject (by nasa analysis) to 10,000- 20,000 lb of lateral force under these conditions, destabilizing the chassis / coach with a complete loss of driver control. Also - the engine brake necessary for downhill control is unreliable. The culprit is an electrical junction between freightliner & winnebago wiring harnesses that is unreliable and "cannot be fixed" per freightliner. While descending steep hills or mountains, the 4 disc brakes are completely inadequate to maintain control without the supplementary engine brake. I nearly lost my life in new mexico in 2005 discovering this defect also, be advised that the rear main engine compartment has a manual switch that anyone can access, rendering the engine unstartable. A criminal can also shut off a running engine, leaving the occupants vulnerable to kidnap, robbery and or rape. Neither the main engine or the front generator are locking, rendering both motors vulnerable to theft, vandalism, or sabotage. Imagine if your car could be stopped in traffic and the hood & truck accessed at will. Complained about all above to manufacturer by certified mail in 2005, 2006, 2007. They repeatedly ignore me, but they cant ignore you. There are more significant safety defects that this space does not allow. Please respond by letter.

Filed Mar 3, 2005 · Suspension · 1,409 miles · UT

Owner has a motor home and the vehicle shakes violently when turning left/right. Owner took the vehicle to freightliner of utah and checked the alignment which was fine. However, the shaking of the steering wheel is still in existence.

Filed Nov 29, 2004 · Electrical · 3,200 miles · NJ

I purchased a 2005 winnebago adventurer 37 b two months ago and proceded to take it on a long vacation. The knowingly defective vehicle failed on over 200 occasions and was diagnosed and repaired over 10 times by factory and non factory authorized servicecenters. Ultimately after constantly jeopardizing my wife and partner's life in many instances and after being stranded and towed on multiple occassions winnebago determined that the problem was in the wiring harnesses that had been improperly routed and which had been melting and shorting out the vehicle for over a month. After some investigation it came to light that this was not the first instance of this defect and winnebago knowingly put ours and other lives in jeopardy. I purchased another vehicle from another manufacturer as I was unable to return with this 'land titanic" and lost thousands of dollars just to ensure my safety despite the fact that the winnebago representative ( mr.stevehumme) told me that the vehicle was repaired and attempted to force me to take it in the condition it was in with many other safety related violations. I will be happy to provide you with the details of this nightmare. I have of referred this case to my partner ( who is an attorney and was in the vehicle and witness to the defects) to take legal actions and other governmental agencies to prosecute winnebago. I am also active in the transportation industry and will spread the word on my experiences in hope that winnebago will suffer the negative exposure it deserves.