2005 WINNEBAGO VECTRA & FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS DEFECTS: VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL @ 65 MPH AGAINST LOW ANGLE FRONT QUARTER CROSS WINDS. A SUDDEN FRONTAL 30-35 MPH GUST OF WIND @ A 10-15 DEGREE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE CREATES A MOMENTARY AIRSPEED OF 95-100 MPH. THE 440 SQ FT BROAD SURFACE AREA OF THE CHASSIS HAS 250% TH…
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2005 WINNEBAGO VECTRA & FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS DEFECTS: VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL @ 65 MPH AGAINST LOW ANGLE FRONT QUARTER CROSS WINDS. A SUDDEN FRONTAL 30-35 MPH GUST OF WIND @ A 10-15 DEGREE ANGLE OF INCIDENCE CREATES A MOMENTARY AIRSPEED OF 95-100 MPH. THE 440 SQ FT BROAD SURFACE AREA OF THE CHASSIS HAS 250% THE AUTHORITY OF AN 767 RUDDER THAT ALSO HAS A VERY EFFICIENT WING ASPECT RATIO. THIS 32,000 LB RV IS SUBJECT (BY NASA ANALYSIS) TO 10,000- 20,000 LB OF LATERAL FORCE UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, DESTABILIZING THE CHASSIS / COACH WITH A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL. ALSO - THE ENGINE BRAKE NECESSARY FOR DOWNHILL CONTROL IS UNRELIABLE. THE CULPRIT IS AN ELECTRICAL JUNCTION BETWEEN FREIGHTLINER & WINNEBAGO WIRING HARNESSES THAT IS UNRELIABLE AND "CANNOT BE FIXED" PER FREIGHTLINER. WHILE DESCENDING STEEP HILLS OR MOUNTAINS, THE 4 DISC BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY INADEQUATE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL WITHOUT THE SUPPLEMENTARY ENGINE BRAKE. I NEARLY LOST MY LIFE IN NEW MEXICO IN 2005 DISCOVERING THIS DEFECT ALSO, BE ADVISED THAT THE REAR MAIN ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAS A MANUAL SWITCH THAT ANYONE CAN ACCESS, RENDERING THE ENGINE UNSTARTABLE. A CRIMINAL CAN ALSO SHUT OFF A RUNNING ENGINE, LEAVING THE OCCUPANTS VULNERABLE TO KIDNAP, ROBBERY AND OR RAPE. NEITHER THE MAIN ENGINE OR THE FRONT GENERATOR ARE LOCKING, RENDERING BOTH MOTORS VULNERABLE TO THEFT, VANDALISM, OR SABOTAGE. IMAGINE IF YOUR CAR COULD BE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND THE HOOD & TRUCK ACCESSED AT WILL. COMPLAINED ABOUT ALL ABOVE TO MANUFACTURER BY CERTIFIED MAIL IN 2005, 2006, 2007. THEY REPEATEDLY IGNORE ME, BUT THEY CANT IGNORE YOU. THERE ARE MORE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY DEFECTS THAT THIS SPACE DOES NOT ALLOW. PLEASE RESPOND BY LETTER. *TR
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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 BUILT ON A FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS WITH A 400-HP CUMMINS ENGINE, A SHEET METAL "TAB" ON A WIRE COVER LOCATED BEHIND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CATCH ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HANGS UP ON THE TAB OF THE WIRE COVER, A HAZARDOUS SITUATION COULD RESULT IN THE PEDAL NOT GOING BACK TO IDLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY, VEHICLE DAMAGE AND, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR OWNERS TO INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY HAVE THE WIRE COVER REPAIRED. IF OWNERS DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE PERFORMING THE INSPECTION, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 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
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2005 Winnebago Vectra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year