WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 306 MY 2007-2008 JOURNEY, DESTINATION

May 19, 2008 — Recall Campaign #08V226000

WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 306 MY 2007-2008 JOURNEY, DESTINATION, TOUR AND ITASCA MERIDIAN, LATITUDE, AND ELLIPSE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 306 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

08V226000

Manufacturer:	Winnebago Industries, Inc.
Recall date:	May 19, 2008
NHTSA Campaign #:	08V226000
Units affected:	306

Description:: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 306 MY 2007-2008 JOURNEY, DESTINATION, TOUR AND ITASCA MERIDIAN, LATITUDE, AND ELLIPSE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON FREIGHTLINER CHASSIS. THE FASTENERS THAT ATTACH THE STEERING ARM OR TIE ROD ARMS TO THE SPINDLE MAY BE OVER OR UNDER-TIGHTENED.
Consequeces:: INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED STEERING ARM FASTENERS MAY FATIGUE AND FRACTURE WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Corrective action:: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 07V306). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
Notes:: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Affects the following:

2008 ITASCA LATITUDE Complaints
DRIVER'S FRONT STEER TIRE BLOWOUT. THE BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL, NOT VISIBLE TO INSPECTION. TIRE IS PART OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A NEW 2008 ITASCA, LATITUDE (MANUFACTURER WINNEBAGO) 40 FOOT DIESEL MOTOR HOME PURCHASED 2/29/2008.. MOTOR HOME HAS BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN 8200 MILES. WE WERE TRAVELING ON I-95 FROM EXIT 29 IN GA TO EXIT 8 IN SC. DRIVING AT SPEED LIMIT, 65 AND 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC. THIS IS LESS THAN A 2 HOUR TRIP. APPROX. 1 PM ON 11/8/2010 I HAD JUST PULLED OFF OF I-95 AT EXIT 8 IN SC AND WAS PULLING INTO THE BP TRUCK STOP ON SC 278. FORTUNATELY, I HAD JUST SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 1MPH WHEN THE TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE COACH WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE TIRE WAS INTACT EXCEPT OF THE STAR PATTERNED HOLE ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE MOTOR HOME WAS NOT DAMAGED DUE TO THE SLOW SPEED. THE ISSUE IS THAT MY FAMILY AND I NARROWLY ESCAPED A CERTAIN TRAGIC ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY DEADLY, THAT WOULD HAVE BADLY INJURED ME, MY HUSBAND AND MOST LIKELY HAVE KILLED MY DOGS. AS THE DRIVER, I AM A 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND I DOUBT THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AT HIGH SPEED ONCE THE TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAVE HAD THE TIRE EXAMINED BY A QUALIFIED MICHELIN DEALER, SOS RADIAL TIRE SERVICE IN GARDEN CITY, GA 32418, AND THEY HAVE DEEMED IT TO BE A BLOWOUT NOT DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION, EXTERIOR DAMAGE OR PUNCTURE. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED TO 105 PSI AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. MAX RECOMMENDED INFLATION IS 110 PSI. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN PROTECTED FROM SUN WHEN PARKED AND HAVE BEEN DRIVEN AT LEAST EVERY 90 DAYS. I HAVE 7 OF THIS EXACT TIRE REMAINING ON THE COACH. *TR;
2008 WINNEBAGO DESTINATION Complaints
FAILURE OF COMPLETE BRAKE SYSTEM NORMAL AND EMERGENCY WHICH INCLUDES PARKING BRAKE. WHEN YOU HAVE A FAILURE OF THIS ELECTRICAL / HYDRAULIC BRAKE BOX NO BRAKES AVAILABLE. *TR;