VehicleVerdict

2002 Winnebago Adventurer problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2002 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.

22

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Adventurer years?

Adventurer NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 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, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Adventurer years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Winnebago Adventurer problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes732%
Lighting418%
Visibility & Wipers29%
Electrical System29%
Fuel System15%
Other15%
Seat Belts15%
Speed Control15%
Body & Structure15%
Suspension15%
Engine15%

Does the 2002 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.

03V060000BrakesFebruary 21, 2003 · 8,532 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 105,"HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Consequence

IN SOME OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE START POSITION OR FOR A LOW BRAKE FLUID CONDITION, IF THE BODY BUILDER RELIED SOLELY UPON FORD'S IVM COMPLIANCE STATEMENT FOR THE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2003. 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 WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS HAVING BRAKING FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V060000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE WARNING). THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE BRAKE PADS BURNED ON THE VEHICLE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 14, 2006 · fire

“CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TAIL LIGHT LENCES ARE MELTING. WATER OR OTHER WEATHER CONDITION CAN CAUSE A SHORTAGE IN THE BULB,DUE TO EXPOSURE. RESULTING IN NOT HAVING TAIL LIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. MR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · October 12, 2002

“CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MELTED WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SB *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 2, 2005

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE DUAL PANE WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOGGED UP AND OBSCURED THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A LEAK CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 2, 2007

“RECALL OF PART [SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH] ON A FORD MOTOR USED IN A 2002 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME. RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN OCTOBER 2007. TO DATE THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AS THE PART HAS BEEN UNAVAILABLE. LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP/SERVICE WAS CONTACTED, INSURANCE CARRIER CONTACTED,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 15, 2007

2002 Winnebago Adventurer — common questions

Is the 2002 Winnebago Adventurer reliable?

The record is thin — 22 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 2002 Adventurer problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (7 complaints), lighting (4 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2002 Winnebago Adventurer have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.