ON MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GAS ENGINES

Oct 20, 2004 — Recall Campaign #04V512000

ON MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GAS ENGINES, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 3,950 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

04V512000

Manufacturer:	Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Recall date:	October 20, 2004
NHTSA Campaign #:	04V512000
Units affected:	3,950

Description:: ON MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FORD E-SERIES CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GAS ENGINES, A DIODE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE MAY EXPERIENCE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequeces:: THE ELECTRICAL SHORT MAY CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, OR THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN A BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION MAY OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN OR UNATTENDED.
Corrective action:: FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUSE IN THE ABS CIRCUIT AND INSTALL A HEAT SHIELD OVER THE ABS MODULE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
Notes:: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2005 ITASCA SPIRIT Complaints
(1) ON 12TH OF AUGUST, PROCEEDING ON FREEWAY, MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. ONCE TRAFFIC STARTED I PROCEEDED TO DEPRESSED GAS PEDAL AND CABINET TELEVISION FELL OUT ONTO MY WIFE'S HEAD AND SHOULDERS AND THEN STRUCK AREA BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT, THEN BROKE THE TOP OF THE DOG BARRIER GATE SEPARATING THE DRIVERS' COMPARTMENT FROM THE COACH AND DAMAGED BENCH AND TABLE BEHIND DRIVER. I PLACED MY RIGHT ARM UNDER THE TV AND HELD IT UP AS BEST AS I COULD, SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WHILE I CHECKED WITH MY WIFE TO DETERMINE IF SHE WAS OK. THE REMAINING WIRES CONNECTED TO THE BACK OF THE TELEVISION BROKE; MY WIFE EXTRICATED HERSELF FROM BENEATH THE TELEVISION. (2) SUBSEQUENT BRUISING WAS SEVERE ON MY WIFE'S SHOULDER AND FOREARM, WITH MINOR SWELLING OF HER FOREHEAD. MY WIFE HAD A FOLLOW UP VISIT WITH OUR FAMILY DOCTOR AND WAS GIVEN PRESCRIPTION FOR PAIN AND SORENESS. (3) I IMMEDIATELY CALLED BOTH MY SALES REPRESENTATIVE AND WATTS RV TO EXPLAIN WHAT OCCURRED AND WAS REQUESTED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN ON MONDAY. I CALLED WINNEBAGO OWNER RELATIONS DEPT. AND INFORMED THEM OF THE INCIDENT AND THAT I WAS RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO WATTS RV FOR REPAIR. I WAS ASKED TO HAVE THEM CALL OWNER RELATIONS WITH THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT I WANTED WINNEBAGO THE LOOK AT THE ENGINEERING AND DESIGN OF THE TELEVISION CABINET TO DESIGN A SAFE SOLUTION TO THIS MATTER. I WAS INFORMED THAT WATTS RV WILL DECIDE THE BEST SOLUTION FOR A PERMANENT FIX. I PERSONALLY EXPRESSED MY SURPRISE THAT THE TELEVISION WAS NOT ANCHORED TO THE CHASSIS COACH; IT IS ONLY HELD IN BY A METAL BAND THAT IS BOLTED TO THE CABINET FRAMEWORK. THIS TO ME IS INADEQUATE AND I REALLY FEEL THAT WINNEBAGO HAS TO REENGINEER THE DESIGN FOR THIS PROBLEM. REGARDLESS, WATTS RV HAS ORDERED REPLACEMENT CABINET PARTS, TABLE ETC. AND HAS DETERMINED THAT THEY WILL ADD ADDITIONAL EXTERIOR CABINET FRAMING PIECES TO PREVENT THE TELEVISION FROM FALLING OUT OF ITS PLACE. *NM;
2005 ITASCA SUNDANCER Complaints
REGARDING A MODEL YEAR 2005 WINNEBAGO ITASCA MOTORHOME (SERIAL NO. 70467F241566C) UTILIZING A MODEL YEAR 2004 FORD E450 CHASSIS. WHILE SLEEPING AN ALARM WENT OFF INSIDE THE MOBILE HOME. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON LOCATION AND FOUND A SLIDE OUT SHIELD WAS BLOCKING THE GENERATOR EXHAUST SYSTEM, IN WHICH THE CARBON MONOXIDE WAS SETTING OFF THE ALARM. CONSUMER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK WHEN THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM ARRIVED THEY TOOK A CARBON MONOXIDE READING OF 33 P.P.M. INSIDE THE MOTOR HOME. *TC *MJJ;
2005 WINNEBAGO MINNIE Complaints
CONTINUOUS AND REPEATED FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM/BATTERIES IN MOTORHOME COACH AS WELL AS CHASSIS BATTERY. FOUR SETS OF COACH BATTERIES REPLACED AND NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO LOCATE SOURCE OR SOURCES OF PROBLEM. KNOWN BATTERY ISSUE BUT ALSO COACH ELECTRICAL ISSUES. *TR;