The defect
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 remedy
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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Itasca Horizon | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Vectra Motorhome | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Winnebago Chieftain | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
| Winnebago Journey | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 |
Components: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Itasca Horizon | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Itasca Horizon | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Itasca Horizon | 1998 | 1 | 2 |
| Itasca Horizon | 1999 | 0 | 2 |
| Itasca Horizon | 2000 | 6 | 8 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 1998 | 0 | 3 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 1999 | 2 | 2 |
| Itasca Sunflyer | 2000 | 2 | 2 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 1996 | 0 | 1 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Luxor Motorhome | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 1996 | 0 | 1 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 1997 | 1 | 2 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 1998 | 6 | 2 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Ultimate Advantage | 2000 | 0 | 3 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 1996 | 0 | 1 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 1997 | 0 | 2 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 1998 | 0 | 2 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Ultimate Freedom | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 1996 | 2 | 1 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 1998 | 0 | 1 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 1999 | 0 | 1 |
| Vectra Grand Tour | 2000 | 0 | 1 |
Other equipment recalls in 2002
43 of the 434 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2002 concerned the equipment; WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. filed 9 campaigns in all.
| 02V276010 18 Dec 2002 | WAGNER TRAILER INTERIORS, INC. |
| 02V276008 18 Dec 2002 | DODGEN INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V277008 11 Dec 2002 | NORTHLAND INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V277005 10 Dec 2002 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 02V276007 3 Dec 2002 | ALFA LEISURE,INC. |
| 02V276009 2 Dec 2002 | THOR INDUSTRIES |
| 02V277006 25 Nov 2002 | K.Z. INC. |
| 02V277007 22 Nov 2002 | CHAMPION BUS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2002