- 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
2001 Winnebago Chieftain Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 4 recalls, the latest in October 2010 for the equipment.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Chieftain year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2001 Winnebago Chieftain 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Winnebago Chieftain: every year compared
All Chieftain years2001 Winnebago Chieftain vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Winnebago Chieftain | 0 | 4 | D | |
| 2001 Winnebago Adventurer | 14 | 6 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Brave | 6 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Winnebago | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Journey DL | 4 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Minnie Winnie | 3 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Journey | 2 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Sun Cruiser | 1 | 3 | D | Compare |
| 2001 Winnebago Brave SE | 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 2001 Winnebago Chieftain
Does the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain: equipment (October 2010); equipment (July 2009); recreational vehicle / trailer (June 2008); buckle assembly (April 2001). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2001 Winnebago Chieftain a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: 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 2001 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