- 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
2000 Winnebago Chieftain Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain with NHTSA, most often about the equipment & accessories (1) and the seats & seat belts (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in October 2010 for the equipment. For comparison, the 1999 has 13 and the 2001 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Chieftain year, for its age
#281 most complained-about 2000 vehicle
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2000 Winnebago Chieftain problems
Share of all 4 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2000 Winnebago Chieftain 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 my 1999-2002 ultimate advantage, ultimate freedom, my 1999-2001 chieftain, my 2000-2001 brave, my 2001 journey my 2000 minnie winnie, my 2000-2002 itasca horizon, my 1999 suncruiser, my 2001 sunflyer, and my 2000 sunrise motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerators. A fatigue failure in the section of the cooling unit which contains the refrigerant could allow the liquid solution to slowly leak.
- The risk
- Extended operation of a leaking cooling unit could lead to a fire from gas which might escape.
- The fix
- Winnebago is working with norcold to repair these refrigerators. Norcold will provide thermal switch kits to owners along with the necessary forms and instructions. The manufacturer has not yet provided an owner notification schedule for this campaign. Owners may contact norcold at 1-800-767-9101 or winnebago at 1-641-585-3535.
- The problem
- Certain motor homes equipped with norcold refrigerator cooling units model numbers 442, 443, 452, ev452, 453, 462, ev462, 463, ev463, 482, ev482, 483, ev483, 874, and 875. These refrigerators can experience a break down in a rubber seal within the gas valve. As the rubber seal ages, a leak may occur, allowing propane gas to accumulate in the burner area.
- The risk
- The consequence can result in a fire, possibly causing serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Norcold will notify its customers and provide a replacement gas valve free of charge. 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 norcold service center at 1-800-667-3005 or winnebago at 641-585-3535.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.
- The risk
- Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the lap belts and, if necessary, replace it with a new belt assembly. Owner notification began may 25, 2001. 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 am-safe at 1-219-266-8330 or winnebago at 1-641-585-6939.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: class a motor homes equipped with safety belt assemblies built by am-safe. On some seat belts, the buckle and connector may unlatch during a collision.
- The risk
- Serious injury or death could occur if the vehicle occupant is not properly restrained.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the defective buckle assemblies.
What owners say
Be the first Chieftain owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
4 complaints about the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
We just purchased this motorhome & both front seat belt mountings were taped up with duct tape. We were researching how to replace them & we came across the recall notifications on the seat belts for our model. We are wondering how to find out if our motorhome was affected & if so, has the issue been corrected. Is there a way you can see if we need to have something done or if we can just order new mountings? Thank you!! *Tr
Dt: the contact stated there was an electrical fire in the dashboard of motor home. The cause of the fire was the cable harness. Fire department came and a report was taken. Dealer has not been contacted yet. Manufacturer took information and offered no help at their expense. *Ak
While driving at any speeds hydraulic jack will automatically start to lower itself, setting off a tiny alarm notifying consumer of what was going on.*Ak
Slide outs on the motor will at times automatically slide out. This problem can occur at anytime. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.*Ak *slc
Winnebago Chieftain: every year compared
All Chieftain years2000 Winnebago Chieftain vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Winnebago Chieftain | 4 | 5 | F | |
| 2000 Winnebago Adventurer | 14 | 5 | D | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Minnie | 14 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Minnie Winnie | 13 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Brave | 9 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Redundant Suncruiser | 4 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Journey | 3 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Brave SE | 2 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2000 Winnebago Journey DL | 1 | 2 | F | 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 2000 Winnebago Chieftain
Does the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain: equipment (October 2010); recreational vehicle / trailer (June 2008); recreational vehicle / trailer (December 2002); buckle assembly (April 2001) 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 2000 Winnebago Chieftain?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the equipment & accessories (1), seats & seat belts (1), body, doors & structure (1).
How many complaints has the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain had?
4 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 2, 2002 and the latest on March 22, 2014. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2000 Winnebago Chieftain a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 13 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Winnebago Chieftain 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 Winnebago Chieftain years have the most complaints?
1999 (13), 1998 (4), 2000 (4). See every Winnebago Chieftain year compared.
What should I do if my 2000 Winnebago Chieftain 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