VehicleVerdict

1997 Winnebago Adventurer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 1997 Winnebago Adventurer — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Adventurer years?

Adventurer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted32 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 7 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 15 complaints1997: 11 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 24 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 18 complaints2002: 22 complaints2003: 21 complaints2004: 32 complaints2005: 8 complaints2006: 4 complaints2007: 4 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 0 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 1 complaints2021: 14 complaints2022: 9 complaints2023: 1 complaints2024: 0 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Adventurer NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Adventurer years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Winnebago Adventurer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes436%
Other327%
Electrical System19%
Engine19%
Fuel System19%
Transmission19%

Does the 1997 Winnebago Adventurer have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V525000OtherOctober 26, 2010 · 18,461 units

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.

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.

97V012000OtherFebruary 3, 1997 · 10,590 units

Defect

THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER HOIST COMPONENTS CAN BECOME LOOSE WHILE TRAVELING AND ALLOW THE SPARE TIRE TO MOVE FROM ITS STORED POSITION TO THE ROAD SURFACE.

Consequence

THE SPARE TIRE CAN CONTACT THE ROAD SURFACE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL ADD A PRIMARY SPARE TIRE SUPPORT BRACKET.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL WHETHER THE PARK BRAKE WAS USED OR NOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE GEAR WAS REPLACED 3-4 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET IN JANUARY 2001 ADVISING OF PARK BRAKE PROBLEMS. *AK *SCC *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 15, 2000

“SPARE TIRE , LOCATED AT EXTREME REAR OF 371/2 FOOT MOTORHOME, DROPPED DOWN 12 TO 14 INCHES BELOW THE CHASSIS BEFORE BEING DISCOVERED DUE TO SPARE TIRE CARRIER HOIST BECOMING LOOSE PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL (97V-012). *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED, ENGINE RUNNING, WHEN IT STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER UNSURE IF EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 11, 2002 · crash

1997 Winnebago Adventurer — common questions

Is the 1997 Winnebago Adventurer reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 Adventurer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (4 complaints), other (3 complaints), transmission (1 complaints).

Does the 1997 Winnebago Adventurer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Winnebago Adventurer. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Winnebago Adventurer years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Adventurer years to avoid are 2004, 2000. The cleanest record among Adventurer years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.