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2013 Winnebago Sightseer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
2Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

4Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seat Belts
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

1 reports
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7,500 miles · May 7, 2014
Seat BeltsInjury

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH AN ARIZONA TOWN AT 35 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED TO RED JUST WITHIN BREAKING DISTANCE. IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE STOP LINE, I HAD TO BRAKE HARDER THAN USUAL. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO BE SLAMMED INTO THE SAFETY BELT AND INJURED. THE SAFETY BELT CAUSED SEVERE PRESSURE ON THROAT…

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH AN ARIZONA TOWN AT 35 MPH THE LIGHT TURNED TO RED JUST WITHIN BREAKING DISTANCE. IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP IN FRONT OF THE STOP LINE, I HAD TO BRAKE HARDER THAN USUAL. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO BE SLAMMED INTO THE SAFETY BELT AND INJURED. THE SAFETY BELT CAUSED SEVERE PRESSURE ON THROAT AND WIND PIPE. THE PASSENGER WAS 5 FOOT 3 INCHES. REASON FOR INCIDENT: THE UPPER FIXATION POINTS OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN THE WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEERS ARE VERY HIGH. FOR SHORTER PEOPLE THE SAFETY BELT WILL RUN ACROSS THE THROAT AND WINDPIPE OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, RESPECTIVELY. HEIGHT ADJUSTMENTS ARE NOT POSSIBLE. REQUEST FOR HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE SAFETY BELT FIXATIONS AT AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE SHOP HAS BEEN DECLINED. REASON FOR DECLINE WAS THAT THIS WAS A WINNEBAGO DESIGN THAT MUST NOT BE ALTERED AND WINNEBAGO DOES NOT OFFER ANY SOLUTION. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT MANY REQUESTS HAD ALREADY COME FROM OTHER SIGHTSEER OWNERS BUT ALL REQUESTS HAD BEEN DECLINED BY WINNEBAGO. POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES FOR SHORT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS: DURING A REAL EMERGENCY BREAKING SITUATION OR CRASH THE SHORT DRIVER/PASSENGER WILL BE BADLY SLAMMED INTO THE SAFETY BELT. IF THE SAFETY BELT RUNS ACROSS THE THROAT AND WINDPIPE SEVERE INJURIES MAY RESULT. IN VERY BAD CASES THE IMPROPER ROUTING OF THE SAFETY BELT MAY RESULT IN SUFFOCATION AND/OR SNAPPING THE NECK, THUS CAUSING FATALITIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10586920

Official recalls

4

17V782000 · Equipment

Dec 7, 2017

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Winnebago Era, Travato, Minnie Winnie, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Brave, Vista, Sightseer, Adventurer, Forza, Journey, Tour, Revel, Paseo, Chalet, Access, and Intent motorhomes and Commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 Itasca Spirit, Navion, Cambria, Tribute, Sunstar, Sunova, Suncruiser, Solei, Meridian, Elipse, Horizon, Reyo, and Via motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. The recall began on January 19, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

13V162000 · Equipment

Apr 26, 2013

Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Winnebago Access, Aspect, Sightseer, Vista, Adventurer, Forza and Itasca Impulse, Cambria, Sunova, Sunstar, Suncruiser motorhomes manufactured February 20, 2013, through April 25, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowningly become damaged. A damaged motor may lead to an unfurling of the awning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If motor damage occurs, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the motorhome is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Winnebago will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began on July 17, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed.

13V161000 · Equipment

Apr 24, 2013

Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Minnie Winnie, Aspect, Sightseer, Adventurer, and Journey motorhomes; and model year 2012-2014 Itasca Spirit, Cambria, Sunova, Suncruiser, and Meridian motorhomes. The affected vehicles were manufactured January 10, 2012, through April 5, 2013 and may be missing a range enclosure.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A missing range enclosure may allow the gas range flame to be extinguished due to air flow. In such a case, propane gas will continue to flow without a flame. If propane continues to flow, in the presence of an ignition source, it may suddenly combust resulting in a fire and/or personal injury.

Remedy: Winnebago notify owners and dealers will install a range enclosure, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-3535. Winnebago's recall campaign number is 128.

12V057000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 16, 2012

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 WINNEBAGO AND ITASCA MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A FORD F-53 CHASSIS. THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE MAY BREAK AT THE ATTACHMENT TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN. IF THE CABLE BREAKS, THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INDICATOR IN THE ‘PRNDL’ DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL REMAIN IN THE FIRST GEAR POSITION REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INCORRECT GEAR INDICATION IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY PREVENT THE DRIVER FROM KNOWING IF THEY ARE IN PARK OR REVERSE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WINNEBAGO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR ARM ASSEMBLY AND THE ‘PRNDL’ CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES OWNER RELATIONS AT 1-641-585-6939.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE15011 · Entry Step Failures

Opened Apr 6, 2015 · Closed Jan 8, 2016

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) which reported an injury related to the unintentional deployment of the electric entry step on a subject vehicle.The owner reported to Winnebago that the steps extended while in motion.Service personnel from Winnebago instructed the owner to disconnect the wire harness at the steps to prevent them from extending while traveling and then reconnect when needed.The owner did this and was subsequently pinned beneath the steps when they extended upon reconnecting the wire harness.When deployed the steps extend approximately thirty (30) inches from the side of the vehicle.This reach facilitates easy entry into the motor home, but creates a hazard when unintentionally deployed in transit.The driver may not be immediately aware the stepsare extended which increases the possibility of striking another object or person.During the investigation, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to collect information from Winnebago.ODI analyzed this data and determined that a significant number of claims reported entry steps failures.Many of these claims specifically stated the steps extended while the vehicle was in transit. Winnebago service personnel offered multiple options to temporally disable the entry steps so that travelers could safely drive the vehicle.Depending on the situation fixes ranged from sending a field service technician, to instructing the individual to disconnect the wire harness the same as the owner who submitted the VOQ. A review of the time to failure indicated that most failures occur early in the vehicle's life.The average time to failure was five (5) months in service.Most reported failures occurred within the first year of ownership.ODI determined no design or installation changes had been made to the subject components prior to opening this investigation.Over the course of the investigation Winnebago identified several opportunities for improvement.Changes were made to current production to improve entry door reliability and durability in August 2015.Winnebago has submitted recall 15V-866.This recall covers vehicles produced between August 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015.With the recall action taken by Winnebago, this investigation is closed as further use of agency personnel does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10693551

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) which reported an injury related to the unintentional deployment of the electric entry step on a subject vehicle.The owner reported to Winnebago that the steps extended while in motion.Service personnel from Winnebago instructed the owner to disconnect the wire harness at the steps to prevent them from extending while traveling and then reconnect when needed.The owner did this and was subsequently pinned beneath the steps when they extended upon reconnecting the wire harness.When deployed the steps extend approximately thirty (30) inches from the side of the vehicle.This reach facilitates easy entry into the motor home, but creates a hazard when unintentionally deployed in transit.The driver may not be immediately aware the stepsare extended which increases the possibility of striking another object or person.During the investigation, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to collect information from Winnebago.ODI analyzed this data and determined that a significant number of claims reported entry steps failures.Many of these claims specifically stated the steps extended while the vehicle was in transit. Winnebago service personnel offered multiple options to temporally disable the entry steps so that travelers could safely drive the vehicle.Depending on the situation fixes ranged from sending a field service technician, to instructing the individual to disconnect the wire harness the same as the owner who submitted the VOQ. A review of the time to failure indicated that most failures occur early in the vehicle's life.The average time to failure was five (5) months in service.Most reported failures occurred within the first year of ownership.ODI determined no design or installation changes had been made to the subject components prior to opening this investigation.Over the course of the investigation Winnebago identified several opportunities for improvement.Changes were made to current production to improve entry door reliability and durability in August 2015.Winnebago has submitted recall 15V-866.This recall covers vehicles produced between August 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015.With the recall action taken by Winnebago, this investigation is closed as further use of agency personnel does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10693551

Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation based on a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) which reported an injury related to the unintentional deployment of the electric entry step on a subject vehicle.The owner reported to Winnebago that the steps extended while in motion.Service personnel from Winnebago instructed the owner to disconnect the wire harness at the steps to prevent them from extending while traveling and then reconnect when needed.The owner did this and was subsequently pinned beneath the steps when they extended upon reconnecting the wire harness.When deployed the steps extend approximately thirty (30) inches from the side of the vehicle.This reach facilitates easy entry into the motor home, but creates a hazard when unintentionally deployed in transit.The driver may not be immediately aware the stepsare extended which increases the possibility of striking another object or person.During the investigation, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to collect information from Winnebago.ODI analyzed this data and determined that a significant number of claims reported entry steps failures.Many of these claims specifically stated the steps extended while the vehicle was in transit. Winnebago service personnel offered multiple options to temporally disable the entry steps so that travelers could safely drive the vehicle.Depending on the situation fixes ranged from sending a field service technician, to instructing the individual to disconnect the wire harness the same as the owner who submitted the VOQ. A review of the time to failure indicated that most failures occur early in the vehicle's life.The average time to failure was five (5) months in service.Most reported failures occurred within the first year of ownership.ODI determined no design or installation changes had been made to the subject components prior to opening this investigation.Over the course of the investigation Winnebago identified several opportunities for improvement.Changes were made to current production to improve entry door reliability and durability in August 2015.Winnebago has submitted recall 15V-866.This recall covers vehicles produced between August 1, 2014 and August 31, 2015.With the recall action taken by Winnebago, this investigation is closed as further use of agency personnel does not appear to be warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following complaint identification numbers:10693551