2003 Winnebago Sightseer Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sightseer years
- Far more complaints than other years 1st of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 8 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Winnebago Sightseer. That is the most of any Sightseer model year in the database (23 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 18%), typically at around 21,560 miles. Complaints mention 3 fires. There are 8 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 11owner complaints
- 8safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 Winnebago Sightseer 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 | 2 | 18% | 21,560 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 18% | 5,738 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 18% | 37,250 | — | — |
| Structure | 2 | 18% | 5,738 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 18% | 3,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 18% | 5,738 | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 9% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 9% | 5,738 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 9% | 11,744 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 9% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 Winnebago Sightseer recalls (8)
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic
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.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: On certain motor homes built on a 20,700 gvwr or greater workhorse chassis, there may not be sufficient clearance in the area where the fuel line crosses the frame cross member.
Risk: Without clearance, a condition could develop where the cross member may wear into the fuel line and a fuel leak may develop. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will repair these motor homes by providing clearance between the fuel line and frame cross member. The fuel line will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. The recall began january 7, 2005. Owners should contact winnebago at 1-800-537-1885.
Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer
Problem: On certain motor homes equipped with samsung microwave ovens, models mr1031wb, mr1032bb, mr1033sb, mr1351wb, and mr1352bb, the microwaves 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 1-800-932-3837 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.
Equipment:recreational vehicle/trailer
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/trailer
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: lamp
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.
Tires:temporary/emergency spare tire
Problem: On certain model d30b motor homes built on a ford chassis, a plate, which is used to support the spare tire, was inadvertently left off a number of these motor homes.
Risk: Without this additional support, the spare tire could fall off the vehicle resulting in property damage and possibly personal injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the spare tire mount and, if necessary, install a new support plate. Owner notification is expected to begin during march 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 1-641-585-6939.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 winnebago sightseer. Shortly after purchasing the recreational vehicle, the brake pedal was very soft and had to be depressed to the floorboard in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the abs melted on…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 winnebago sightseer. While driving approximately 50 mph, the steering wheel independently veered to the left. The contact noticed that the brake pedal was higher than usual. While reversing to park the vehicle, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 winnebago sightseer 33d. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he shifted to third gear and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to…
Preparing to go camping, i started my winnebago sightseer and positioned it to attach my towed vehicle. I shut off the engine at that point. After completing the hitching procedure, i attempted to start my rv. It would not start. After having the vehicle towed to a local truck dealership, they…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 winnebago sightseer. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 07v336000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer disconnected the speed control and stated that the parts would be unavailable until the first quarter of 2008. The contact was dissatisfied…
Other Winnebago Sightseer years
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Winnebago Sightseer?
Owners most often report electrical system, equipment, service brakes problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Winnebago Sightseer?
Yes, 8 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 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 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.