VehicleVerdict

2004 Winnebago Brave problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2004 Winnebago Brave — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

9

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Brave years?

See all Brave years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Winnebago Brave problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes889%
Suspension111%

Does the 2004 Winnebago Brave have recalls?

5 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.

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.

04V608000Seat BeltsDecember 18, 2004 · 6,201 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO BRAVE WORKHORSE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CALIBERS INDEPENDENTLY LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. UPON INSPECTING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 24, 2017 · fire

I HAD RECENTLY COMPLETED A 2 WEEK TRIP DRIVING APPROX 1800 MILES. WAS TAKING MY MOTORHOME TO A DEALER TO HAVE A ROCK GUARD INSTALLED WHEN IT STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND SHIFTING FUNNY. THIS WAS IN TOWN WITH EASY DRIVING. I QUICKLY NOTICED THE SMELL OF OVERHEATED BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY, AS SOON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 25, 2008

2004 Winnebago Brave — common questions

Is the 2004 Winnebago Brave reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2004 Winnebago Brave have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 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.