- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Itasca Suncruiser Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in October 2010 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2002 has 2 and the 2004 has 6.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Suncruiser year, for its age
#283 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Itasca Suncruiser problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Itasca Suncruiser recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Winnebago is recalling 1,547 model year 2001-2003 recreational vehicles equipped with norcold model 1200lrim refrigerators, manufactured from march 1, 2001 to december 31, 2002, with serial numbers between 1273701 and 1536607, non-consecutively. A fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak. If a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. At such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.
- The risk
- If a leak occurs and the unit is continues to operate, hydrogen gas may be expelled and can be ignited, resulting in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Winnebago is working with norcold and norcold will notify owners and the vehicle's refrigerator will be repaired free of charge (please see 09e-027). Owners may contact norcold's recall center at 1-800-767-9101.
- The problem
- On certain motor homes, the roof vent for the optional 4-door refrigerator was incorrectly located.
- The risk
- This can allow excessive heat buildup which has the potential to ignite surrounding materials, resulting in personal injury and/oi vehicle and property damage.
- The fix
- Dealers will relocate the roof vent. The recall began on september 9, 2005. Owners may contact winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
What owners say
Be the first Suncruiser owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
4 complaints about the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I have a 2003 itasca suncruiser with the workhorse chassis that is under recall for the brake caliper problems. I encountered the problem last summer and took it to parkview rv in smyrna, de. They rebuilt the front and back brakes, seals, calipers, pads and sensors which had melted. At the time they told me workhorse would not pay for any of the work. Last week I took the repaired unit to florida and in tampa had a problem with the brakes smoking and the abs light came on. I am taking it back to parkview so...
Read the full complaint
they can document the new problems. I have spent over $1,000. For repairs and now it appears it will all have to be done again. I only drove for 2,000 miles and the braking system is bad again. I need to be reimbursed for the initial repair and a more permanent fix needs to be done on the unit. I have a $85,000 rv I am afraid to drive. Please help me if you can. The workhorse help line directs you to a mailbox that is full. I can not get anyone on the line. If necessary I will spend repair money on an attorney to get this resolved. Anything you can do will be appreciated.
Brake problem on workhouse chassis motorhome. Calipers lockup, apparently do to pins. This is a continuous problem. Replaced all 4 rotor. 4Calipers.2 Sets brake pads, 4 oil seals, 4 brake hose,2 axle gaskets. All at a cost of $3502.97 I have rotors, calipers. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 itasca suncruiser rv. While driving 60 mph, the contact noticed a vibration in the steering wheel. He turned off the vehicle. When he restarted it, he noticed that the brake pedal was higher than usual and he had to apply extreme pressure to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that all four calibers needed to be replaced. The contact did notice any differences beforehand. The current and failure mileages were 15,944.
2003 Itasca suncruiser motorhome experiences stalling and engine shut down.*Mr the vehicle can only be drive 200 miles before it stalls. The vehicle has been taken to several dealer. The vehicle has had three crank sensors replaced. *Nm
Itasca Suncruiser: every year compared
All Suncruiser years2003 Itasca Suncruiser vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Itasca Suncruiser | 4 | 5 | D | |
| 2003 Itasca Sunova | 4 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Itasca Sunrise | 3 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Itasca Meridian | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2003 Itasca Spirit | 2 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Itasca Horizon | 1 | 4 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser
Does the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser: equipment (October 2010); equipment (July 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (September 2005); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (December 2004) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 3, 2005 and the latest on March 25, 2010. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Itasca Suncruiser a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 25 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Itasca Suncruiser year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Itasca Suncruiser years have the most complaints?
2004 (6), 2005 (5), 1999 (4). See every Itasca Suncruiser year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Itasca Suncruiser has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data