2003 Winnebago Brave Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 27,612miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 6campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Winnebago Brave (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Winnebago Brave. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment (3) and electrical system (1). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 78% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 27,612 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the lamp filed under the same part. Equipment complaints overlap with 3 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes6 50%
- Equipment3 25%
- Electrical system1 8.3%
- Body and structure1 8.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I purchased a new Winnebago Brave motorhome in 2003 with a workhorse chassis. In october of 2006 I began feeling the steering wheel shake when I applied the brakes to the motorhome. I removed the front wheels and discovered huge cracks in the disc brake rotors. I replaced the front disc brake rotors and the disc pads on 10-31-2006 (I have receipt). I also discovered, while replacing the brake parts, that the calipers were binding at the slide pin. I cleaned the pins and applied some white lithium grease so the calipers would move smoothly again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10260267, filed 2009-02, 25,000 milesEquipment: “Shower faucet installed in a 2003 itasca motor home model 32v is very difficult to operate. Causing either cold or very hot burst of water to hit the person in the shower. The hot water caused a scalding the last time the shower was used. The faucet controls the water by a side to side motion that is about 1/2 in either direction. Once set (even temperature) it only takes a slight movement to change the temperature. I know this is a minor complaint but a correction to the faucet really needs to be done. Scalding is not minor.”
NHTSA complaint #10014508, filed 2003-04, 3,340 milesElectrical system: “The contact owns a 2003 Winnebago Brave. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to shudder and hesitate before suddenly stalling and shutting off. During the incident, an electrical burning odor was present inside the cabin. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical wires connecting the ignition switch were faulty and a protection kit was installed to remedy the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,462.”
NHTSA complaint #10986024, filed 2017-05, 70,462 milesLatches, locks and linkages: “The entry door lock is faulty to the point that we have been locked out of our rig over 20 times during our past trip! We ask suncoast of ocala to fix it before we traveled in dec. Of 04 but found that it wasn't fixed when we took a month long trip this past september. We have contacted Winnebago and have been told that our lock was not on any recall list so they can do nothing. They did have entry door locks recalled and we assume that ours must be a part of that as there are no parts available for this model any longer and to fix it a new lock has got to purchased from Winnebago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140565, filed 2005-10Mileage when problems were reported
78% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 25,000 and 29,109 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V525000Oct 26, 2010EquipmentCovers: Winnebago Brave 1996–2011, Adventurer 1996–2011, Itasca Suncruiser 1996–2011 +13 more
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…
- 09V300000Jul 29, 2009EquipmentCovers: Winnebago Brave 2002–2003, Itasca Horizon 2001–2003, Winnebago Journey 2001–2003 +6 more
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…
- 09V113000Apr 8, 2009Fuel system, diesel › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Winnebago Brave 2002–2004, Itasca Sunrise 2002–2006, Winnebago Adventurer 2005–2006 +2 more
Winnebago is recalling 2,331 my 2002-2004 brave and itasca sunrise my 2005 2006 winnebago voyage, adventurer, itasca sunrise and suncruiser motor homes. The propane tank mounting bracket may have an incomplete or improper weld.
- 04V609000Dec 22, 2004Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Winnebago Brave 2003–2005, Adventurer 2003–2005, Sightseer 2003–2005 +6 more
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.
- 03V405000Oct 16, 2003Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Winnebago Brave 2001–2004, Rialta Rialta 2001–2004, Itasca Sunrise 2001–2004 +8 more
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…
- 03V060000Feb 21, 2003Service brakes, hydraulic › Brake fluid low warning › LampCovers: Winnebago Brave 2000–2003, Adventurer 2000–2003, Itasca Suncruiser 2000–2003 +3 more
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.
Recall details for the 2003 Winnebago Brave → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.
- 10252834Apr 5, 2024Other or unknown. Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.
- 10251128Feb 23, 2024Other or unknown. Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.
- 10226724Sep 19, 2022Body and structure. Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.
- 10213593May 31, 2022Equipment. Service Bulletin sent to all dealers. This bulletin advises dealers they no longer need to email Winnebago the signed Vehicle Registration Form, but they should retain a copy for their records.
- 10199382Jul 14, 2021Equipment. Service Bulletin to dealers reminding them to understand their state's Lemon Law and to comply with Winnebago Motorhome mandates outlined in the Policy & Procedure Manual.
- 10199381Jul 1, 2021Equipment. Service Bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.
- 10199380Mar 26, 2021Equipment. General Parts and Service Letter to dealers detailing the warranty part return procedure.
Other model years of the Winnebago Brave
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 29,000 | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 12 | 27,612 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 16 | 24,398 | 5 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2001 | 6 | 24,000 | 7 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 9 | 26,482 | 6 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 5 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Winnebago Brave model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Winnebago Brave have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2003 Winnebago Brave as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Winnebago Brave is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (50% of the total), followed by equipment with 3.
Has the 2003 Winnebago Brave been recalled?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Winnebago Brave reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 27,612 miles and the middle half falls between 25,000 and 29,109 miles; 78% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.