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NHTSA campaign 16V385000

2015–2016 Itasca and Winnebago: steering recall

The steering wheel's connection to the front axle could fail resulting in a sudden loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

critical 306 vehicles affected

What was reported

Source: manufacturer filing, 49 CFR Part 573
Problem Winnebago Industries, Inc (Winnebago) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Winnebago Tour and Itasca Ellipse motor homes manufactured August 29, 2014, to November 4, 2015 and built on a Freightliner chassis. In the affected vehicles, the steering box may have been manufactured with an incorrect spacer with insufficient height that can cause too much play, causing the connection to wear between the steering wheel and the front axle. Risk The steering wheel's connection to the front axle could fail resulting in a sudden loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a crash. Fix Daimler Trucks of North America will notify owners, and Freightliner dealers will inspect and replace the steering gears, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 31, 2016. Note: Owners are urged not to drive their vehicles until they have been inspected. Owners may contact Freightliner at 1-800-547-0712.

Reported to NHTSA May 31, 2016 by Winnebago Industries, Inc, owners notified May 31, 2016.

What that means, in plain English

Source: WhichTrim's reading of the filing above — not NHTSA's wording

NHTSA/manufacturer explicitly urged owners not to drive until inspected, and the defect causes sudden complete loss of steering ability at speed.

Written for us by a language model from the manufacturer's filed text, which is quoted in full above. Where the two differ, the filing is the record and this is only our summary of it.

Which vehicles are covered

Source: NHTSA campaign 16V385000

Vehicles built Aug 29, 2014 to Nov 4, 2015 — a VIN outside that window is not part of this campaign even if the year, make and model match.

Model yearOn WhichTrim
2015 Itasca Ellipse—
2016 Itasca Ellipse—
2015 Winnebago Tour—
2016 Winnebago Tour—

None of the vehicles this campaign names has a page on WhichTrim: the catalogue covers the cars, trucks and SUVs the EPA certifies from 2016 on, and these vehicles fall outside it — older model years, or motorhomes, trailers, buses, motorcycles and chassis cabs the EPA does not rate. The campaign record above is complete as filed, and whether one specific vehicle is included is settled by its VIN. Other campaigns on vehicles without a page here →

The federal paperwork

Source: nhtsa.gov

Check one specific vehicle

A recall applies to a build range, so year, make and model cannot settle it. Type the VIN and the WhichTrim recall report checks this campaign’s build window and engine against it.

Campaign 16V385000

Own one, or run a fleet? Recall Watch checks each VIN against every new NHTSA campaign and emails you when one lands, this one's expansions included. Or take a free one-line alert by model year.

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A recall covers a build range. Only your VIN settles it.

Check it with the WhichTrim recall report now, or have us check it every night and email you when something new is filed.

Photo: Taiga Miyamoto / Unsplash

Common questions

Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR Part 573

Does this recall repair cost anything?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to remedy a safety defect or a compliance failure at no charge, for vehicles up to 15 years old measured from the date of first sale. A dealer that asks you to pay for a recall repair is in the wrong.

How do I know whether my vehicle is included?

By VIN, not by model year. This campaign covers vehicles built Aug 29, 2014 to Nov 4, 2015. The manufacturer files a build range with NHTSA and only vehicles inside it are covered, so two identical-looking cars from the same year can differ. NHTSA's own lookup checks a VIN against the manufacturer's list.

What if the repair is not available yet?

It happens, and often. Manufacturers must notify owners when a defect is found even if the parts or the software are not ready, then notify them a second time once the remedy exists. The remedy filed for this campaign is described above.

What did the manufacturer say was wrong?

The problem, risk and fix quoted on this page are the manufacturer's own words as filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR Part 573. WhichTrim does not paraphrase them.

Who started this recall?

NHTSA's record credits the manufacturer. A recall can begin with the manufacturer's own testing, with a defect investigation, or with a compliance test against a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.