VehicleVerdict

2003 Winnebago Brave problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 13 complaints on file for the 2003 Winnebago Brave — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

13

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Brave years?

See all Brave years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Winnebago Brave problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes646%
Other215%
Electrical System18%
Body & Structure18%
Visibility & Wipers18%
Latches & Locks18%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)18%

Does the 2003 Winnebago Brave have recalls?

6 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.

09V300000OtherJuly 29, 2009 · 1,547 units

Defect

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence

IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.

09V113000Fuel SystemApril 8, 2009 · 2,331 units

Defect

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 2,331 MY 2002-2004 BRAVE AND ITASCA SUNRISE MY 2005 2006 WINNEBAGO VOYAGE, ADVENTURER, ITASCA SUNRISE AND SUNCRUISER MOTOR HOMES. THE PROPANE TANK MOUNTING BRACKET MAY HAVE AN INCOMPLETE OR IMPROPER WELD.

Consequence

SHOULD THE WELD FAIL, THE PROPANE TANK CAN TIP OR FALL, POSSIBLY RELEASING PROPANE WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITEA FIRE, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND PROPERLY WELD THE BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 800-537-1885.

04V609000Fuel SystemDecember 22, 2004 · 3,538 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A 20,700 GVWR OR GREATER WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THERE MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE IN THE AREA WHERE THE FUEL LINE CROSSES THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER.

Consequence

WITHOUT CLEARANCE, A CONDITION COULD DEVELOP WHERE THE CROSS MEMBER MAY WEAR INTO THE FUEL LINE AND A FUEL LEAK MAY DEVELOP. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THESE MOTOR HOMES BY PROVIDING CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE FUEL LINE AND FRAME CROSS MEMBER. THE FUEL LINE WILL BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 7, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.

03V405000OtherOctober 16, 2003 · 15,337 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE UNITS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.

Consequence

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.

Remedy

SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. 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 SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR WINNEBAGO AT 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.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH, THE PARKING BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE FAILED, LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THE BRAKE WAS ATTEMPTED TO ACTIVATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 15, 2005

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE WRONG PART FOR HIS SAMSUNG MICROWAVE. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED THE MISTAKE. THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CORRECT PART AT THIS MOMENT AND WERE NOT SURE WHEN IT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 16, 2004

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. FIVE MILES AWAY FROM HOME, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A HORRIBLE BURNING SMELL AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO ACCELERATE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR CALIPERS WERE BURNED, THE COMPRESSOR IN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · July 25, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO BRAVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LEVEL OF THE PROPANE TANK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE BRACKET. THE BRACKET WAS DAMAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 10, 2008

THE ENTRY DOOR LOCK IS FAULTY TO THE POINT THAT WE HAVE BEEN "LOCKED OUT" OF OUR RIG OVER 20 TIMES DURING OUR PAST TRIP! WE ASK SUNCOAST OF OCALA TO FIX IT BEFORE WE TRAVELED IN DEC. OF 04 BUT FOUND THAT IT WASN'T FIXED WHEN WE TOOK A MONTH LONG TRIP THIS PAST SEPTEMBER. WE HAVE CONTACTED WINNEBAGO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · September 4, 2005

2003 Winnebago Brave — common questions

Is the 2003 Winnebago Brave reliable?

The record is thin — 13 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2003 Brave problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), other (2 complaints), visibility & wipers (1 complaints).

Does the 2003 Winnebago Brave have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Winnebago Brave. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.