Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer with NHTSA between 1997 and 2007.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 7 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the Winnebago Adventurer. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 34
6.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
60% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 1996 compares with every other Winnebago Adventurer
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1996 Winnebago Adventurer
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
533.3%
Median failure at 62,150 miles
Brakes
320.0%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 37,000 mi
Suspension
213.3%
Transmission & Drivetrain
213.3%
Median failure at 17,375 miles
Other & Unspecified
16.7%
Equipment & Accessories
16.7%
Fuel & Propulsion
16.7%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
360.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
120.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
120.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Nov 1997peak 2Mar 2007
Recalls on the 1996 Winnebago Adventurer
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2010368906 units in Canada
Accessories
Certain refrigerators used in Recreational Vehicles (RVs) contain either a sensing algorithm or a thermal switch to interrupt power when it detects high temperatures that could lead to a fire. An insufficient response time can result in the power not being shut-off in sufficient time to prevent a fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will install a thermocouple with a faster response time for all refrigerators with a sensing algorithm or a thermal switch.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Santa Cruz, CAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WE PURCHASED AN RV FROM ARIZONA RV OUTLET 5 WEEKS AGO THAT HAD SOME TERRIBLE BRAKE ISSUES, THERE WAS A MINOR FIRE FROM BRAKE ISSUES. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VEHICLE WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.*AK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP US AND EVEN FURTHER, WE PAID FOR A 4 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THROUGH THEM AND THEY NEVER SUBMITTED THE PAYMENT OR INFORMATION TO THE SERVICE COMPANY SO WE CAN GET ANY REPAIRS PAID FOR. WE HAD A TIRE BLOW NOT 60 MILES FROM THEIR LOT THAT BROKE A LEVELER AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP ON THAT EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10186165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Santa Cruz, CAFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WE PURCHASED AN RV FROM ARIZONA RV OUTLET 5 WEEKS AGO THAT HAD SOME TERRIBLE BRAKE ISSUES, THERE WAS A MINOR FIRE FROM BRAKE ISSUES. THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VEHICLE WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.*AK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO HELP US AND EVEN FURTHER, WE PAID FOR A 4 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY THROUGH THEM AND THEY NEVER SUBMITTED THE PAYMENT OR INFORMATION TO THE SERVICE COMPANY SO WE CAN GET ANY REPAIRS PAID FOR. WE HAD A TIRE BLOW NOT 60 MILES FROM THEIR LOT THAT BROKE A LEVELER AND THEY OFFERED NO HELP ON THAT EITHER.
NHTSA complaint #10186165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesWarren, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
ON MY 1996 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME (34 FEET) (16,000 GVW) I LOST THE "SERPENTINE FAN BELT" WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VIRGINIA. THIS CAUSED A LOSS OF MY POWER STEERING , AND I LOST MY POWER BRAKES! IT WAS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE BUT IT WAS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I AM OVER 6 FEET TALL AND WEIGH MORE THAN 200 POUNDS BUT NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT STILL TOOK OVER 500 FEET TO FINALLY STOP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NO DAMAGES.
NHTSA complaint #10047484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,300 milesWarren, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S FAN BELT FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10048581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesChaska, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
THE DRIVER SAID, "THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF HOT BRAKE FLUID". HE COULD HEAR THE BRAKE FLUID BOILING WHILE INSIDE OF MOTOR HOME". AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP.
NHTSA complaint #10044251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,750 milesWinter Park, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THERE WAS NO REVERSE WHILE SHIFTING THE GEAR. *AK WHEN ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE, NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT. THE PROBLEM RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. (THE VEHICLE COOLED FOR 30 MINUTES, THEN THE REVERSE FUNCTIONED) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10026554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,000 milesWinter Park, FL
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A 1996 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV WITH 16,209 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE SECOND TIME THAT I USED THE VEHICLE, THE REVERSE DID NOT WORK AFTER IT HAD BEEN RUNNING. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THERE IS A TEK TIP, FROM TOLEDO TRANS-KIT, WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE PROBLEM. "TRANSMISSION HAS GOOD REVERSE UNTIL THE UNIT REACHES FULL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. PRIMARILY AFTER SUBSTAINED HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAUSE HAS BEEN TRACED TO THE USE OF SHORT LIP SEALS ON THE DIRECT DRUM PISTON CAUSING THE DIRECT CLUTCH NOT TO APPLY WHEN REVERSE IS SELECTED. THIS IS FOR THE THM 4L80-E/4L80-EHD TRANSMISSION BUILT BY CHEVROLET. I WROTE TO WINNEBAGO AND THEY REFERRED ME TO CHEVROLET. CHEVROLET SAID THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID ANYMORE AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE ((JIM SLAIN-25 MARCH 2003).
NHTSA complaint #10011013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Holand, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED SIX TIMES. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE EACH TIME.*AK THE DEALER REPAIRED ALL SIX FAILURES AS CHARGING THE CONSUMER. ALSO FUMES GET INTO THE MOTOR HOME CAUSING SICKNESS TO CONSUMER AND FAMILY. VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #875091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Holand, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED SIX TIMES. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE EACH TIME.*AK THE DEALER REPAIRED ALL SIX FAILURES AS CHARGING THE CONSUMER. ALSO FUMES GET INTO THE MOTOR HOME CAUSING SICKNESS TO CONSUMER AND FAMILY. VALVE COVER GASKET IS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #875091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Porter, TX
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE WHEN BOTH TANKS (WATER AND GAS) ARE FILLED DUE TO DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #605805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Princeton, IN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE HAD A FUEL LEAK AND FUMES DUE TO A HOLE IN THE FUEL LINE. FORD WAS CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WINNEBEGO WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS MADE TO FIND THE PROBLEM WITHIN 1 YEAR TIME FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #828743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atwater, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WANT TO KNOW IF THEIR ANY RECALLS ON THIS MAKE, MODEL,YEAR, ETC?
NHTSA complaint #700321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Porter, TX
SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION SYSTEM PROBLEMS OCCUR WHEN WATER AND GAS TANKS ARE FULL CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING/CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #535763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VENT ON HOT WATER HEATER WAS INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN, CAUSING HEAT TO TRAVEL UPWARDS INSIDE OF WALLS INSTEAD OF DOWNWARDS, THIS CAUSED WALLS TO RIPPLE AND A HOT SPOT IN THE INSULATION. WAS ALSO A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
NHTSA complaint #534857 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD. THE BRAKE WILL ENGAGE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES THEN LET GO. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #822896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avila Beac, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ANTIFREEZE LINE BROKE OPEN DUE TO SHARP EDGE ON TUBING CONNECTION AND LEAKED FIVE GALLONS OF COOLANT.
NHTSA complaint #605044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.