2002 Winnebago Vista 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

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

What is wrong

On certain motor homes, an improperly mounted trailer hitch may have been installed on these motor homes. The trailer hitch may not have all the required fasteners attached to the motor home.

Risk

If the hitch is utilized, it could stress the existing fasteners. A condition could exist that would shear or loosen the remaining fastener causing the hitch to separate from the vehicle, resulting in bodily injury and/or property damage.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the trailer hitch, and if necessary, add or replace the mounting hardware. Owner notification began june 21, 2002. 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.

Recall number 02V153000 · Recall details

The subject vehicles are built on a volkswagen eurovan chassis and are class c motor homes. On september 5, 2007, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation as rq 07-002 after receiving four consumer reports of fan blade failure on model year 2002 winnebago rialta and vista vehicles.as a result of additional information received from volkswagen in response to rq 07-002, the investigation was upgraded to engineering analysis (ea) 08-002.the scope of the ea investigation was also expanded to cover model years 2001 through 2004 rialta and vista, 2002 through 2004 sunstar, and 2001 through 2003 eurovan.all of these vehicles utilize the same engine cooling fan.however, the winnebago vehicles are larger and heavier than the eurovan.as a consequence, the cooling fan would operate more frequently in the winnebago vehicles compared to the eurovan for the same on-road operating conditions.analysis of the available data concerning the problem experience indicates that it predominately affects the my 2002 winnebago models.winnebago accounts for 79% of all the reports, but represents only 23% of the total subject vehicle population.the majority of the winnebago reports are for the model year 2002 (64%).the data show a declining report trend, particularly for the 2002 winnebago.reports on the 2002 winnebago reached a high of 11 reports in calendar year 2005, dropping to three reports in 2006,two reports in 2007, and one report in 2008.an existing safety related defect trend 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.

EA08002

The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation based on four reportsalleging failure of an engine cooling fan in the subject vehicles.three of the complainants alleged the fan disintegrated and two of the three alleged the radiator was damaged as a result.the fourth complainant alleged that his vehicle experienced violent shaking and overheating.when the vehicle was inspected, it was noted that pieces of the fan were missing.all four vehicles were class c motor homes built on a volkswagen eurovan chassis.two of the vehicles are rialta models and two are vista models.based onadditional information received from volkswagen odi is upgrading this investigation toengineering analysis ea 08-002 for further study.

RQ07002