NHTSA Complaint #10172188 — 2001 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER

I HAVE A FAILURE IN PROGRESS THAT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING OTHER OWNERS OF WINNEBAGO MOTORHOMES AND NOT JUST MINE. DUE TO LIGHT GAUGE METALS USED IN THE STEP MOUNTING AREAS AND IMPROPER ATTACHEMENT PROCEEDURES USED DURING MANUFACTURE THE ENTRY STEP MOUNTING PLATE IS CRACKING AND THE STEP IS AT THE POINT OF FAILURE OF ITS MOUNTS. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN NOTED ON SEVERAL OTHER WINNEBAGO\ITASCA MOTORE HOMES THAT I AM AWARE OF AND IS NOT LIMITED TO ONE UNIT BUT SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. WINNEBAGO'S RESPONCE IS THAT IT IS A KNOWN FAILURE BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT OUT A TSB OR RECALL. THEY ARE ALSO REFUSING TO HELP WITH THE COST OF THESE REPAIRS AND ARE LEAVING THE FULL BURDEN UPON THE OWNERS. IF THE STEPS FAIL WHILE SOMEONE IS ENTERING OR EXITING THE COACH MORBIDITY COULD BE A VERY REAL CONSEQUENCE FOR THOSE USING THE STEPS. I HAVE TAKEN THE STEP OUT OF SERVICE UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT CORRECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. *JB