2004 Winnebago Brave
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Winnebago › Brave › 2004
These records cover every 2004 Winnebago Brave. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
5 recalls name the 2004 Winnebago Brave. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Owner complaints
7 complaints1 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes
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…
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 *tr
- Service brakes
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. *tr
- Service brakes
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…
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. *tr
- Parking brake · Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
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
- Service brakes, hydraulic
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…
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.
- Service brakes, hydraulic
2004 workhorsechassis(brakes). *Tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic · Suspension
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…
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. *Tr
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10252834Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.
- 10251128Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.
- 10226724Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.
- 10213593Service Bulletin sent to all dealers. This bulletin advises dealers they no longer need to email Winnebago the signed Vehicle Registration Form, but they should retain a copy for their records.
- 10199382Service Bulletin to dealers reminding them to understand their state's Lemon Law and to comply with Winnebago Motorhome mandates outlined in the Policy & Procedure Manual.
- 10199381Service Bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.
- 10199380General Parts and Service Letter to dealers detailing the warranty part return procedure.
Every Winnebago Brave model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.