Consumer Safety Complaints
Search 2,215,138 safety complaints filed by vehicle owners with NHTSA — including 138,663 crashes, 56,255 fires, and 8,561 deaths.
What is a NHTSA consumer complaint?
A consumer complaint is a free-form report filed by a vehicle owner directly to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing a safety concern about their vehicle. NHTSA collects these reports through its Vehicle Owner Defect Report (VOQ) system and publishes them publicly. Each complaint includes the affected component, the date and circumstances of the incident, whether the failure caused a crash or fire, and any reported injuries or deaths. The owner's full narrative description is included verbatim — NHTSA does not edit or moderate the descriptions.
The database below contains over 2,215,138 individual complaints. NHTSA's investigators monitor it for clusters of similar reports — when enough owners describe the same failure mode on the same vehicle, NHTSA may open a Preliminary Evaluation that can lead to a recall. Many of the largest recalls in U.S. history, including the Takata airbag recall and the Hyundai/Kia engine fire recalls, started as patterns visible in this complaint database years before they became formal recalls.
How to interpret what you read
A few principles for reading consumer complaints usefully:
- One complaint is anecdote; a hundred similar complaints is data. NHTSA does not investigate the truthfulness of any individual report — that's the job of the Office of Defects Investigation, which looks at the full pattern. When evaluating a vehicle, look for whether multiple owners describe the same chain of events.
- Crash, fire, injury, and death flags are owner-set. They are not verified by NHTSA. They are still useful as a filter, because owners who tick those boxes are typically reporting more serious incidents than those who don't.
- Component categories are NHTSA-assigned, not owner-assigned. NHTSA standardizes the component field so that complaints can be aggregated. The owner narrative often goes into more detail than the component category captures.
- Complaint volume scales with sales volume. A best-selling model will accumulate more raw complaints than a niche model even at the same defect rate. To compare across vehicles, look at complaints per 100,000 units sold, not raw counts.
If you've experienced a defect
File a complaint. NHTSA's investigators rely on this database to detect emerging defects, and useful complaints — specific, concrete, with dates and mileage and clear descriptions of what happened — feed directly into the agency's pattern detection. The form takes about 10 minutes and is at nhtsa.gov/recalls under "Report a Safety Problem." Your complaint becomes part of the same public record that this page is built from. Owners filing detailed VOQs are how recalls get triggered.
Read more from our blog
Showing 1,744 complaints for WINNEBAGO
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
Heater core constantly “clogs” and no longer blows hot air on drivers side of the vehicle. Either through the defroster vents or floor vents, this makes it difficult to defrost the drivers side windshield or side window (can’t see side mirror!). Jeep wants me to spend &3500 to replace entire system!!!
Incident date: Jan 23, 2023
Wiring harness and a fuse on the harness for the auxiliary Balmar alternator installed by Winnebago partially melted due to proximity to turbocharger. Very concerning due to other owners reporting Balmar alternator fires and alternator regulator failures.
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
1. Feb 1st. Vehicle stopped on a major highway while I was in fast lane at 70 mph. 2. I could have died. And most certainly would have caused a major accident if myself and others not been keeping proper distance. 3. No. I'm out of warranty. 4. No. 5. Most of the sensors flashed all random before vehicle stopped. I mean the warning sensors like tpms, mitigation, emergency braking system.
Incident date: Jul 17, 2022
Driving and it will randomly have a death wobble...hit a bump or at a certain speed it will have a death wobble and is hard to control until slowed or stopped.
Incident date: Oct 15, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago Voyage. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V545000 (Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experien... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago Travato built on a 2019 Ram Promaster 3500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the retractable awning erroneously deployed and struck a light pole, causing the awning to partially detach from the RV. The contact stated that several of the awning poles were bent and damaged after striking the light pole. The cause of the failure was... Read more
Incident date: Jan 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago Travato built on a 2019 Ram Promaster 3500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the retractable awning erroneously deployed and struck a light pole, causing the awning to partially detach from the RV. The contact stated that several of the awning poles were bent and damaged after striking the light pole. The cause of the failure was... Read more
Incident date: Sep 21, 2022
I had problem with the awning on my Winnebago Revel going in and out while moving and while parked, it never went out more than an inch or two. Awning button was not engaged nor was the mobile app. Awning did seem to work normal when switch was engaged. Because of my concern that the awning would engage while traveling I took it in for service March 21 2022. Tech checked wiring and gears and found... Read more
Incident date: Oct 23, 2022
Just want to inform you of a potentially dangerous situation on 2018 Winnebago Forza’s. The propane line for the Truma Water Heater is routed under the right sink cabinet but above the metal engine box. As it runs, it is pinched between the engine box and cabinet. During driving, the cabinet moves up and down and chaffs and crushes the propane line. I caught mine in time and routed it, however, ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago Travato built on a 2021 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V696000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the awning unintentionally extended. The contact stated that the awning had unfurled and one of the arms had sheare... Read more
Incident date: Sep 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago Travato built on a 2021 Ram Promaster 3500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V696000 (Structure, Equipment) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the awning unintentionally extended. The contact stated that the awning had unfurled and one of the arms had sheare... Read more
Incident date: Aug 15, 2022
Awning self deployed while parked (thankfully) On inspection of the motor parts found that the housing tabs had broken allowing the awning to self deploy. The motor also acts as the ‘brake’ for the awning
Incident date: Nov 3, 2022
2021 Winnebago Revel - When starting the engine, the Carefree awning automatically deployed and the awning motor never turned off, violently extending awning arms. I had to turn the engine off to disengage the awning motor from trying to extend. I was able to manually reel in the awning and zip tie it together. After being instructed to do this by a carefree awning customer service representativ... Read more
Incident date: Oct 22, 2022
While driving down the highway we noticed a noise. The noise got louder. I was a passenger and looked in the mirror and I could see that our awning manufactured by Carefree had deployed. We hurriedly pulled over to the shoulder. It was not a very wide shoulder and it was very dangerous. We were obviously very anxious about this. We could not get the awning to pull back in. We limped to the next ex... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
Note: this 2022 vehicle has a 2021 Ford F53 Chassis. Beginning in early 2022, with about 4,000 miles on the RV, the “Service Advance Trac” warning light comes on suddenly and intermittently, but it is on the vast majority of the time, which disables the Traction Control, Hill Assist, and Cruise Control functions. In 2022 Ford issued Bulletin “SSM 50767 - 2020-2022 F-53 Motorhome – Illum... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
Note: this 2022 vehicle has a 2021 Ford F53 Chassis. Beginning in early 2022, with about 4,000 miles on the RV, the “Service Advance Trac” warning light comes on suddenly and intermittently, but it is on the vast majority of the time, which disables the Traction Control, Hill Assist, and Cruise Control functions. In 2022 Ford issued Bulletin “SSM 50767 - 2020-2022 F-53 Motorhome – Illum... Read more
Incident date: Mar 15, 2022
Note: this 2022 vehicle has a 2021 Ford F53 Chassis. Beginning in early 2022, with about 4,000 miles on the RV, the “Service Advance Trac” warning light comes on suddenly and intermittently, but it is on the vast majority of the time, which disables the Traction Control, Hill Assist, and Cruise Control functions. In 2022 Ford issued Bulletin “SSM 50767 - 2020-2022 F-53 Motorhome – Illum... Read more
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
As I was traveling down the road, my awning unexpectedly extended and ripped completely off the RV. The awning was too big to load into the RV so I had to leave it along side the road in the borrow ditch. The safety of the vehicles behind me was at risk as the awning could have impaled their vehicle/windshield and seriously hurt or killed someone. The awning was not inspected by anyone because ... Read more
WINNEBAGO
MINNIE WINNIE
(2016) — POWER TRAIN
Oct 25, 2022
Incident date: Oct 13, 2022
A pinion sheared off in the differential housing and tore up the inside of the housing. The vehicle has 42,000 miles on it.
Incident date: Oct 24, 2022
Awning came out on the highway and then broke
Incident date: Oct 16, 2022
Passenger side awning deployed without notice or action taken. No advance warning or owner input. Awning fails to respond to any commands by the awning switch.
Incident date: Oct 16, 2022
Passenger side awning deployed without notice or action taken. No advance warning or owner input. Awning fails to respond to any commands by the awning switch.
Incident date: Nov 29, 2021
First time I used the Carefree automatic Awning, it would not fully retract. With Winnebago customer service on my phone I did everything they suggested and it still would not fully retract. While awaiting road side service to arrive at my camp site it suddenly retracted all by itself as I sat outdoors waiting. I was alone with nobody inside the RV. After it operated without anyone at the controls... Read more
Incident date: Nov 29, 2021
First time I used the Carefree automatic Awning, it would not fully retract. With Winnebago customer service on my phone I did everything they suggested and it still would not fully retract. While awaiting road side service to arrive at my camp site it suddenly retracted all by itself as I sat outdoors waiting. I was alone with nobody inside the RV. After it operated without anyone at the controls... Read more
Incident date: Aug 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2020 Winnebago Revel RV built on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the retractable awning erroneously extended and detached from the RV. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not notified. The contact w... Read more
Incident date: Aug 4, 2022
The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago View. The contact stated that while the RV was parked, the powered awning erroneously extended out and was damaged during a rain storm. The contact indicated that during the failure, the coach area was powered on but no one was present inside the RV at the time the failure occurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 2, 2022
We only used the automatic electric awning a handful of times, On September 2nd after retracting the awning, it violently opened on it own. Despite trying to extend or retract the motor would just click and click. Since it was 10PM at night, we left it extended overnight. We then spent several hours trying to contact Carefree Awning or an RV repair. Ultimately we learned how to retract it manually... Read more
Incident date: May 8, 2022
The awning, manufactured by Carefree of Colorado, deployed on the freeway. It came out about 1 foot on its own. The awning was damaged in the process. Fortunately, it did not impact other vehicles on the road.
Incident date: Sep 27, 2022
AWNING OPENED UP PARTIALLY WHILE DRIVING APPROX 1-2" , HEARD A TICKING NOISE AND CHECKED IT OUT WHEN DISCOVERED IT HAD OPENED. ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT WITH ELECTRIC SWITCH BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. I SECURED IT WITH ZIP TIES AND MOVED ON.
Incident date: May 8, 2022
The awning, manufactured by Carefree of Colorado, deployed on the freeway. It came out about 1 foot on its own. The awning was damaged in the process. Fortunately, it did not impact other vehicles on the road.
Incident date: Sep 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago Revel built on a 2020 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter Chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a load noise was heard coming from the vehicle and suddenly the passenger’s side awning inadvertently deployed and extended out from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no as... Read more
Incident date: Sep 29, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago Revel built on a 2020 Mercedes- Benz Sprinter Chassis. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, a load noise was heard coming from the vehicle and suddenly the passenger’s side awning inadvertently deployed and extended out from the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no as... Read more
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Awning did not fully retract and flapped while driving. Stopped, manually retracted and zip tied.
Incident date: Aug 18, 2022
Awning did not fully retract and flapped while driving. Stopped, manually retracted and zip tied.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
Carefree awning is causing problems: When activated it comes out fully, then retracts automatically, then comes out a second time and retracts, but stays out the third time it comes out.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
Carefree awning is causing problems: When activated it comes out fully, then retracts automatically, then comes out a second time and retracts, but stays out the third time it comes out.
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
I own a 2020 Winnebago View 24D that has a curbside awning system by Carefree that is identical to the awning referenced in the NTHSB Recall Notice 22V-695000. This awning system has been used on all 2020+ Winnebago View models. I have experienced multiple uncommanded partial awning deployments and recently when turning on the generator the awning cycled partially in and out 6 times. Often the gen... Read more
Incident date: Sep 9, 2022
I own a 2020 Winnebago View 24D that has a curbside awning system by Carefree that is identical to the awning referenced in the NTHSB Recall Notice 22V-695000. This awning system has been used on all 2020+ Winnebago View models. I have experienced multiple uncommanded partial awning deployments and recently when turning on the generator the awning cycled partially in and out 6 times. Often the gen... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
As of this date 9/28/22 there will be a forthcoming recall on several year models of the Winnebago View RV due to the awning deploying automatically while driving or when parked causing a serious safety issue. The latest information is that a solution has not yet been found and a recall will be issued in November. It appears that Winnebago RV recall may apply only to model year 2022, yet there has... Read more
Incident date: Sep 3, 2022
As of this date 9/28/22 there will be a forthcoming recall on several year models of the Winnebago View RV due to the awning deploying automatically while driving or when parked causing a serious safety issue. The latest information is that a solution has not yet been found and a recall will be issued in November. It appears that Winnebago RV recall may apply only to model year 2022, yet there has... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
I own a 2022 Winnebago View that has a curbside awning system installed that is identical to the awning referenced in NTHSB Recall Notice 22V-695. The Winnebago View models since 2020 all use the same awning not just the models listed in your recall. I have experienced 2 uncommanded partial deployments of the awning. I was able to retract both times. The awning occasionally wont extend either but ... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago View built on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The contact stated that while the RV was parked in the driveway with awning retracted, the vehicle was started and the mechanical awning mechanism failed causing the awning to erroneously extend out. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local service center were notified of the f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 13, 2022
The contact owns a 2021 Winnebago View built on a 2020 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. The contact stated that while the RV was parked in the driveway with awning retracted, the vehicle was started and the mechanical awning mechanism failed causing the awning to erroneously extend out. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local service center were notified of the f... Read more
Incident date: Sep 11, 2022
I own a 2022 Winnebago View that has a curbside awning system installed that is identical to the awning referenced in NTHSB Recall Notice 22V-695. The Winnebago View models since 2020 all use the same awning not just the models listed in your recall. I have experienced 2 uncommanded partial deployments of the awning. I was able to retract both times. The awning occasionally wont extend either but ... Read more
Incident date: Aug 11, 2022
Original manufacturer Carefree Awning partially deployed while coach was unattended, parked, and not running at a storage lot.
Incident date: Sep 23, 2022
Our automatic electric awning has always had random electrical issues but two days ago, when retracting the awning, it didn't close completely and started jerking back and forth in between being almost closed and opening up 12-18". I resolved the problem by disconnecting power to the awning and then restarting it. Even though it appears to have closed properly, concerns about it opening randomly... Read more
WINNEBAGO
MINNIE WINNIE
(2018) — STRUCTURE:BODY
Sep 10, 2022
Incident date: Sep 8, 2022
Component is the RV door latch manufactured by TriMark model no. t507. The failure of this lock was that when inside the vehicle the plunger does not fully retract allowing the door to open. If you go on YouTube and search TriMark RV lock repair you will see the multiple failures of not being able to enter/exit the vehicle. In case of a vehicle fire I would not have the physical ability to find a ... Read more
WINNEBAGO
ADVENTURER
(2021) — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 15, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Failure ABS, Advanced Trac and Cruise Control. Available for inspection. Braking and Trac control safety. Confirmed by McRee Ford Dickenson, TX. Only inspected by Ford Dealer. Dash lights came on and cruise control loss a couple of hundred miles after we left the dealership. Dealer replaced sensor. Everything working until we hit a rough road and all of the above stopped working. This is not a n... Read more
WINNEBAGO
ADVENTURER
(2021) — SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 15, 2022
Incident date: Dec 1, 2021
Failure ABS, Advanced Trac and Cruise Control. Available for inspection. Braking and Trac control safety. Confirmed by McRee Ford Dickenson, TX. Only inspected by Ford Dealer. Dash lights came on and cruise control loss a couple of hundred miles after we left the dealership. Dealer replaced sensor. Everything working until we hit a rough road and all of the above stopped working. This is not a n... Read more
Incident date: Jul 1, 2022
When driving the ABS warning alerted us. We stopped and inspected, but came up with nothing. After returning to drive mode the RV started making a loud hissing sound. We stopped and had it towed to a mechanic shop. The Park Assist brake burnt up and needed to be replaced. After paying several thousands for the part and the labor we received the RV back and proceeded to our next trip. After about 1... Read more