2002 Winnebago Sightseer Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 10, 2023 · 10 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Sightseer years
Far more complaints than other years 2nd of 23 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer. That ranks 2nd out of 23 Sightseer model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (3 complaints, 30%), typically at around 29,000 miles. Complaints mention 1 fire. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2002 Winnebago Sightseer problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3 · ~29,000 mi
Electrical System2 · ~23,740 mi
Equipment2
Service Brakes2 · ~44,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1 · ~28,479 mi
Parking Brake1 · ~28,479 mi
Service Brakes, Air1 · ~44,000 mi
Steering1
Structure1
Suspension1 · ~44,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Service Brakes, Hydraulic330%29,000——
Electrical System220%23,740——
Equipment220%———
Service Brakes220%44,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling110%28,479——
Parking Brake110%28,479——
Service Brakes, Air110%44,000——
Steering110%———
Structure110%———
Suspension110%44,000——
Vehicle Speed Control110%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2003, with 3 complaints
2003: 3200332004: 2200422007: 1200712009: 1200912012: 1201212013: 1201312023: 120231

n = 10 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2002 Winnebago Sightseer recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

EquipmentOct 26, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V525000 · 18,461 vehicles

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 28, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V186000

Problem: Winnebago is recalling vehicles equipped with axles that include bosh zops or zoht pin slide hydraulic disc brakes. When combined with occasional or seasonal vehicle operation may experience calipers sticking in the applied position. This can result in abnormal heat generation at the wheel end causing brake drag. The driver would normally have warning of the brake drag if undetected by the driver.

Risk: The driver would normally detect the brake drag but if undetected the temperature increase at the wheel end can eventually lead to soft pedal conditions due to brake fluid boil, and possible extended stopping distance increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the necessary components free of charge workhorse is handling the remedy for this campaign please see 09v-110. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule. Owners may contact workhorse at 1-877-246-7731 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailerOct 16, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V405000 · 15,337 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailerJul 8, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V243000 · 2,684 vehicles

Problem: On certain motor homes, when the cooking range and furnace are operating at the same time, the flame on the cooking range could be forced downward over the burner or flame outage could occur. This condition is due to the location of the furnace and cooking range whereby the furnace may draw air in from above the range burners and cause a downdraft.

Risk: Should this occur, the flame may go out, and the liquid propane (lp) gas will continue to flow. This is a hazardous situation that could result in an explosion or fire.

Fix: Dealers will install an air restrictor panel under the range. Owner notification began july 10, 2003. Owners should contact winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.

Service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lampFeb 21, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V060000 · 8,532 vehicles

Problem: Certain motor home chassis fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 105,"hydraulic and electric brake systems." the brake system warning indicator may not function as required by the standard.

Risk: In some of the affected vehicles, the brake system warning indicator will not illuminate when the ignition is in the start position or for a low brake fluid condition, if the body builder relied solely upon ford's ivm compliance statement for the system warning indicator.

Fix: Dealers will repair these vehicles. Owner notification began april 25, 2003. 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 winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.

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 were driving the Rv home immediately after purchase. I was in the vehicle with my two children. I was traveling down a flat road at roughly 40 mph when the brakes began to drag. I thought possibly it was simply because the rv was so large and I had never driven one that big before. Until the…

Service Brakes · received Jul 10, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11531364

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 winnebago sightseer. The contact stated that the brakes failed. The contact was able to coast to a stop and the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised him that there was a recall for the failure under nhtsa campaign id number: 09v186000…

Service Brakes · received Jan 2, 2013 · NHTSA complaint 10490788

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 winnebago sightseer rv with a workhorse chassis, model number: wpd27c. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph and depressing the brakes, he noticed smoke coming from the wheels. After inspecting the vehicle, he discovered that the brakes were…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic · received Feb 6, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10446787

In trying to start the motor home, i noted the ignition key would not turn. After repeated attempts to turn the key, it started. While driving i noticed a pungent odor, indicative of burning electrical components. After shutting down, i noticed smoke coming from below the steering column. Upon…

Electrical System · received May 28, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10270164

2002 motorhome with a recall for the scds recall. Customer states the mechanic unplugged the ( scds) speed control deactivation switch. Mechanic also stated it would be december when they could actually fix the problem. *kb the consumer would like to the know the status of vehicle being repaired…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Sep 19, 2007 · NHTSA complaint 10203834

Other Winnebago Sightseer years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer?

Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, electrical system, equipment problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2002 Winnebago Sightseer a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sightseer model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.