2004 Winnebago Brave problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (3) · Service Brakes (3) · Suspension (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2010-10-26 · campaign 10V525000 · 18,461 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (7)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2024-04-05 · 7SB009-24-01A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each ro should document.
Unknown Or Other 2024-02-23 · 7SB002-24-01A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin sent to all winnebago dealers. bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.
Structure 2022-09-19 · 7SB005-23-01A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin sent to all winnebago dealers. bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.
Equipment 2022-05-31 · 7SB009-22-02A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service 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.
Equipment 2021-07-14 · 7SB009-21-02A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service 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.
Equipment 2021-07-01 · 7SB010-21-01Z · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
service bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.
Showing the 6 most recent of 7 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-02-02 · Service Brakes · 29,000 mi · 🔥 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 t…”
2015-02-04 · Service Brakes · 54,134 mi“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…”
2015-02-04 · Service Brakes · 13,199 mi“ 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 simila…”
2010-08-25 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 48,700 mi“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 mi…”
2010-02-08 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 50,000 mi“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 nu…”
2009-10-31 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 11,000 mi“2004 workhorsechassis(brakes). *tr…”
2008-09-24 · Suspension · 8,272 mi“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. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.