1999 Winnebago Chieftain Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 29,038miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain. The part named most often is body and structure, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and tires (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 29,038 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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.
- Body and structure5 38%
- Equipment2 15%
- Tires2 15%
- Electrical system1 7.7%
- Engine cooling1 7.7%
- Exterior lighting1 7.7%
- Fuel system1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
Example complaints
Body and structure: “The left side the roof came loose sitting in storage from winds of a lesser speed than if one was driving 55 MPH. There has been cases where the roof on these models have came loose while driving. The roof membrane is big enough to block a following vehicles view if it were to come off in traffic. This is a common problem for this model year. It is caused by improper installation at the factory. This problem needs to be addressed before a death occurs due to this malfunctioning body part. Laws in some states are very strict in securing loads, this malfunction should be addressed by Winnebago.”
NHTSA complaint #10454923, filed 2012-04, 78,000 milesEquipment: “While consumer was attempting to enter the vehicle with the handle support, the handle on the motor home gave way-causing consumer to fall. The consumer stated the mounting brackets were made of plastic and obviously under deigned. The consumer believed the brackets should be made from metal.”
NHTSA complaint #566404, filed 2002-06Electrical system: “Dt: the contact stated while attempting to start vehicle smoke came from underneath the dashboard. The smoke was a result of fire underneath the dash. The contact was able to contain the fire before it spread throughout the vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle and determined there was a short in headlight switch which caused the fire. There were no prior warnings indicating a problem with the headlight switch. The dealer removed and replaced the headlight switch and the replacement corrected the problem. Updated 01/11/06”
NHTSA complaint #10145065, filed 2005-12, 54,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,470 and 54,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V525000Oct 26, 2010EquipmentCovers: Winnebago Chieftain 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…
- 08V265000Jun 13, 2008Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Winnebago Chieftain 1999–2001, Itasca Horizon 2000–2002, Winnebago Brave 2000–2001 +5 more
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…
- 02V276006Dec 3, 2002Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailerCovers: Winnebago Chieftain 1996–2000, Itasca Sunflyer 1996–2000, Winnebago Journey 1996–2000 +4 more
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…
Recall details for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain → · 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. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 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 Chieftain
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 13 | 29,038 | 3 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Winnebago Chieftain model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain is reported most often?
Body and structure is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 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 1999 Winnebago Chieftain reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 29,038 miles and the middle half falls between 28,470 and 54,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.