Winnebago Chieftain Problems by Year
NHTSA has 22 owner complaints and 9 safety recalls on file for the Winnebago Chieftain, across 16 model years (1996–2011). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (13). The most reported problem area overall is structure.
Winnebago Chieftain years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Chieftain year: 1999. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1999 Chieftain: 13 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2000 Chieftain: 4 complaints, 5 recalls
- 1998 Chieftain: 4 complaints, 3 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Winnebago Chieftain problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 7 | 3 | 1 |
| Equipment | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Winnebago Chieftain model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2010 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2008 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2007 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2006 Chieftain | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2005 Chieftain | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2004 Chieftain | 0 | 3 | — | — | |
| 2003 Chieftain | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2002 Chieftain | 1 | 2 | — | Structure | |
| 2001 Chieftain | 0 | 4 | — | — | |
| 2000 Chieftain | 4 | 5 | — | Electrical System | |
| 1999 Chieftain | 13 | 3 | — | Structure | Far more complaints than other years |
| 1998 Chieftain | 4 | 3 | — | Parking Brake | |
| 1997 Chieftain | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 1996 Chieftain | 0 | 2 | — | — |
More from Winnebago: all Winnebago models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Winnebago Chieftain years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1999 (13) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Chieftain year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Winnebago Chieftain?
Structure, with 7 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Winnebago Chieftain have?
9 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.