1999 Winnebago Chieftain Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1999 Winnebago Chieftain recalls

Most common 1999 Winnebago Chieftain problems

Problem areas named in the 13 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Structure	5
Equipment	2
Tires	2
Steering	2
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Electrical System	1
Exterior Lighting	1
Engine And Engine Cooling	1

What owners report

2012-04-12, 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. *TR

2006-08-07, Engine And Engine Cooling
JUNE 2005 MY WIFE AND I WERE LEAVING ROSWELL NM IN OUR 1999 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME WHEN WE EXPERIENCED A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I CALLED OUR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE CARRIER AND WAS DIRECTED TO A REPAIR FACILITY A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY. AFTER LISTENING TO THE NOISE AND LOOKING UNDER THE VEHICLE THEY DETERMINED IT MUST BE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK. THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET LOCALLY AND HAD TO ORDER ONE. WE LEFT THE MOTOR HOME WITH THEM AND PROCEEDED TO CARLSBAD NM IN OUR TOWED VEHICLE. UPON OUR RETURN A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE MECHANIC WAS JUST COMPLETING THE GASKET REPLACEMENT. WHEN HE FINISHED, HE STARTED THE ENGINE ONLY TO DISCOVER THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. FURTHER INVESTIGA

2006-07-03, Steering
I DOWNLOADED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 00V246111, WHICH REFERS TO A DEFECT IN THE STEERING LINKAGE ON MY 1999 WINNEBAGO MOTOR HOME WHICH IS BUILT ON A 1999 FORD HEAVY DUTY CHASSIS. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO LOCAL FORD DEALERS, FORD'S NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, FORD'S TRUCK CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THEY ALL CLAIM THAT NO SUCH PROBLEM EXISTS, AND NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS HAVE EVER BEEN ISSUED. THE PERSON TAKING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT FILED BY PHONE (NHTSA ODI#10160922) MIS-CHARACTERIZED THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT. FORD AND WINNEBAGO DO NOT CLAIM THAT IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE BY YEAR OR VIN, RATHER THAT NO SUCH

2005-12-13, Electrical 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. *AK UPDATED 01/11/06

2004-07-27, Structure
DEFECTS INVOLVING 1999 WINNEBAGO CHIEFTAIN'S DUCT CONNECTION BETWEEN THE EXTERNAL FRESH WATER TANK AND THE MOTORHOME.*MR THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THE OPENING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MOTORHOME ALLOWED DIRT, WATER, INSECTS AND RODENTS COMPLETE ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE MOTORHOME. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ACCEPT ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

1999 Winnebago Chieftain questions

Does the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain: Equipment; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Winnebago Chieftain?

Based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Structure (5), Equipment (2), Tires (2).

How do I check if a recall on my 1999 Winnebago Chieftain has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.