1998 Winnebago Chieftain Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Chieftain years
- Not enough data 2nd of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain. That ranks 2nd out of 16 Chieftain model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is parking brake (2 complaints, 50%), typically at around 1,767 miles. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 4owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1998 Winnebago Chieftain problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Brake | 2 | 50% | 1,767 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 25% | 1,767 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1998 Winnebago Chieftain recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Equipment
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer
Problem: 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.
Risk: The consequence can result in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: Vehicle description: motor homes. A liquid propane (lp) hose was installed in the range burner box. The elevated temperature the hose is exposed to inside this box can prematurely age the hose causing a possible lp leak.
Risk: Lp gas leakage could ignite and result in bodily injury and/or property damage.
Fix: Dealers will relocate the flexible hose outside of the range box.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Park brake system is periodically adjusted, if not fully engage, allowed the vehicle to roll. *bf the consumer stated the dealer found reservoir for the fluid empty and the converter to the pump was fluid of fluid and not making connections, also the pressure switch was leaking. A new switch, drums…
While parked and emergency and with the brake applied it disengaged. As a result, the vehicle rolled out of control. *ak the brake pads had burned out with no warning. *sc *jb
Consumer states having problems with monoxide carbon. Dealer was contacted. Ts
While driving in rain the air filter intake pulls water into the air filter causing engine to misfire and run poorly, unable to find correction for condition at this time. Mjs
Other Winnebago Chieftain years
← 1997 Chieftain · 1999 Chieftain →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2001 Chieftain | 0 | 4 |
| 2000 Chieftain | 4 | 5 |
| 1999 Chieftain | 13 | 3 |
| 1998 | 4 | 3 |
| 1997 Chieftain | 0 | 2 |
| 1996 Chieftain | 0 | 2 |
See all Winnebago Chieftain problems by year, every Winnebago model, or the VIN decoder.
Similar Winnebago models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain?
Owners most often report parking brake, fuel system, gasoline, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, parking brake, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1998 Winnebago Chieftain a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Chieftain model years, the 1998 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.