VehicleVerdict

1999 Winnebago Chieftain problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 15 complaints on file for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

15

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other Chieftain years?

Chieftain NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted15 complaints1994: 0 complaints1996: 0 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 5 complaints1999: 15 complaints2000: 4 complaints2001: 0 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 0 complaints2004: 0 complaints2005: 0 complaints2006: 0 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints
Chieftain NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Chieftain years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Winnebago Chieftain problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure533%
Tires & Wheels213%
Other213%
Steering213%
Engine17%
Electrical System17%
Fuel System17%
Lighting17%

Does the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain have recalls?

3 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.

08V265000OtherJune 13, 2008 · 930 units

Defect

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING MY 1999-2002 ULTIMATE ADVANTAGE, ULTIMATE FREEDOM, MY 1999-2001 CHIEFTAIN, MY 2000-2001 BRAVE, MY 2001 JOURNEY MY 2000 MINNIE WINNIE, MY 2000-2002 ITASCA HORIZON, MY 1999 SUNCRUISER, MY 2001 SUNFLYER, AND MY 2000 SUNRISE MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

Consequence

EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy

WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

02V276006OtherDecember 3, 2002 · 631 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.

Consequence

THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“I WILL FAX COMPLETE DETAIL AS IT EXCEEDS 2000 CHARACTERS 04/27/01 AM PLEASE ATTACH TO THIS FORM FAX TO [PHONE]. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 15, 1999 · crash

“2 OF 6 OF THE ORIGINAL TIRE HAVE EXPERIENCED BLOWOUTS (MICHELIN 235/80 X 22.5 XRV TIRES). FIRST TIRE BLEWOUT ON RIGHT HAND INSIDE REAR DUAL (TIRE DOT # B6BJBVJX078, TIRE DEPTH REMAINING IS 12/32 INCHES), THE SECOND BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON OCT. 27, 2002 WITH 30770 MILES, THIS BLOWOUT WAS ON THE LEFT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 25, 2002

“I DOWNLOADED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V246111, WHICH REFERS TO A DEFECT IN THE STEERING LINKAGE ON MY 1999 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME WHICH IS BUILT ON A 1999 FORD HEAVY DUTY CHASSIS. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO LOCAL FORD DEALERS, FORD'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, FORD'S TRUCK CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 25, 2006

“WHILE CONSUMER WAS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WITH THE HANDLE SUPPORT, THE HANDLE ON THE MOTOR HOME GAVE WAY-CAUSING CONSUMER TO FALL. *YD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND OBVIOUSLY UNDER DEIGNED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE BRACKETS SHOULD BE MADE FROM METAL. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 6, 2002

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START VEHICLE SMOKE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE DASHBOARD. THE SMOKE WAS A RESULT OF FIRE UNDERNEATH THE DASH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE BEFORE IT SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THERE WAS A SHORT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · November 25, 2005 · fire

1999 Winnebago Chieftain — common questions

Is the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain reliable?

The record is thin — 15 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1999 Chieftain problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (5 complaints), other (2 complaints), tires & wheels (2 complaints).

Does the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain. 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.