- 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
2002 Itasca Sunova Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2002 Itasca Sunova with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (1) and the engine & cooling (1). It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in October 2010 for the equipment. For comparison, the 2001 has 0 and the 2003 has 4.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Sunova year, for its age
#356 most complained-about 2002 vehicle
- Complaints
- 2
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2002 Itasca Sunova problems
Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2002 Itasca Sunova recalls 4
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
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
- 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
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2 complaints about the 2002 Itasca Sunova
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Motor home shut down completely at 55 mph. Loss of brakes, steering and engine shut down-towed to service. Crank case sensor failure! This same situation occurred again yesterday after being repaired. This is a very serious safety problem! Workhorse 2002 itasca. Once a manufacturing defect! Twice is not! Someone will get hurt pending where they are at when this happens. I was lucky twice! *Tr
While travelling in the slow lane of a 4 lane freeway the right front wheel arch panel literally blew off with no warning, it is a large enough fiberglass panel and could easily have killed a nearby motorcyclist or even the driver of a small car travelling alongside at freeway speed. I believe this is a manufacturer defect due to the poor method of attachment to the frame of the motorhome, as evidenced by the current state of the left side arch panel. Please help with getting this situation rectified, the manufacturer has rebuffed my attempts to get this problem fixed. Thanks
Itasca Sunova: every year compared
All Sunova years2002 Itasca Sunova vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Itasca Sunova | 2 | 4 | C | |
| 2002 Itasca Sundancer | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Itasca Suncruiser | 2 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 2002 Itasca Sunrise | 1 | 5 | F | Compare |
| 2002 Itasca Spirit | 1 | 1 | C | 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 2002 Itasca Sunova
Does the 2002 Itasca Sunova have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2002 Itasca Sunova: equipment (October 2010); recreational vehicle / trailer (October 2003); recreational vehicle / trailer (July 2003); lamp (February 2003). 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 2002 Itasca Sunova?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (1), engine & cooling (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2002 Itasca Sunova had?
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on May 16, 2012 and the latest on May 7, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2002 Itasca Sunova a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 41 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Itasca Sunova 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 Sunova years have the most complaints?
2003 (4), 2002 (2), 2005 (2). See every Itasca Sunova year compared.
What should I do if my 2002 Itasca Sunova 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