2000 Winnebago Chieftain Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Chieftain years
- Not enough data 2nd of 16 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 5 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain. That ranks 2nd out of 16 Chieftain model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (1 complaints, 25%), typically at around 45,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 4owner complaints
- 5safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | 25% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 25% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2000 Winnebago Chieftain recalls (5)
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: 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.
Risk: Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit could lead to a fire from gas which might escape.
Fix: 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.
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.
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.
Risk: Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the lap belts and, if necessary, replace it with a new belt assembly. Owner notification began may 25, 2001. 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 am-safe at 1-219-266-8330 or winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Problem: Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.
Risk: Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the defective buckle assemblies.
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.
We just purchased this motorhome & both front seat belt mountings were taped up with duct tape. We were researching how to replace them & we came across the recall notifications on the seat belts for our model. We are wondering how to find out if our motorhome was affected & if so, has the issue…
Dt: the contact stated there was an electrical fire in the dashboard of motor home. The cause of the fire was the cable harness. Fire department came and a report was taken. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer took information and offered no help at their expense. *ak
Slide outs on the motor will at times automatically slide out. This problem can occur at anytime. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak *slc
While driving at any speeds hydraulic jack will automatically start to lower itself, setting off a tiny alarm notifying consumer of what was going on.*ak
Other Winnebago Chieftain years
← 1999 Chieftain · 2001 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 | 4 | 5 |
| 1999 Chieftain | 13 | 3 |
| 1998 Chieftain | 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 2000 Winnebago Chieftain?
Owners most often report electrical system, equipment, seat belts problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain?
Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2000 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 2000 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.