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Winnebago · NHTSA safety record

2018 Winnebago Forza

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 12 safety complaints about the 2018 Winnebago Forza with the US government. Of those, no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the body structure, named in 9 complaints, 75% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 6,630 miles, the median across the 11 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2018 to November 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

12 complaints on file

12

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
STRUCTURE 9 · 75%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2 · 17%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 8%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 1 · 8%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 12.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 8.

12 9 6 3
18 19 20 22 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2018 Winnebago Forza. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

24V826000 · November 1, 2024

The defect
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Sightseer, Itasca Sunova, 2016-2025 Forza, Vista, and Itasca/Winnebago Sunstar, 2015-2025 Adventurer, 2015-2024 Commercial Vehicle, 2015-2028 Itasca Suncruiser, and 2016-2017 Itasca Solei recreational vehicles. The hood bracket adhesive may have been incorrectly applied which can allow the bracket to detach.
The risk
A detached hood bracket may become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters began being mailed January 31, 2025. Owners may contact Winnebago at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 192.

Winnebago Industries, Inc. · up to 11,982 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

24V733000 · October 1, 2024

The defect
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Tour, 2013-2018 Journey, 2014-2022 Forza, 2015-2016 Brave, 2015-2019 Grand Tour, 2015-2021 Vista, 2016-2018 Adventurer, Sightseer, 2016-2021 Commercial Vehicle, 2018-2021 Intent, Sunstar, 2018-2020 Horizon, Itasca 2013-2017 Ellipse, Meridian, 2014-2017 Solei, 2015-2016 Tribute, 2015-2018 Sunstar, 2016-2018 Suncruiser, and Sunova motorhomes. The turn signals may have a smaller than required luminous lens area. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
A small lens can make it difficult for other drivers to see the turn signal, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2026. Owners may contact Winnebago Customer Care at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 189.

Winnebago Industries, Inc. · up to 17,329 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

19V512000 · July 3, 2019

The defect
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Forza motorhomes. The exterior storage compartment door may unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion.
The risk
If the storage compartment door opens while the vehicle is in motion, other drivers may swerve to avoid hitting the compartment door, or objects falling from within, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Winnebago will notify owners and dealers will install a new latch and the catch will be inspected and properly aligned and readjusted if necessary. Winnebago issued owners an interim notification on August 14, 2019. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885.

Winnebago Industries, Inc · up to 766 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

18V855000 · November 30, 2018

The defect
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Winnebago Forza motorhomes. The liquid propane (LP) lines may have been installed without edge protection where the LP lines pass through the closeout panel, possibly resulting in the lines being damaged and leaking fuel.
The risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will install edge protection at the closeout panel, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 18, 2019. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885.

Winnebago Industries, Inc · up to 152 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT

17V782000 · December 7, 2017

The defect
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Winnebago Era, Travato, Minnie Winnie, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Brave, Vista, Sightseer, Adventurer, Forza, Journey, Tour, Revel, Paseo, Chalet, Access, and Intent motorhomes and Commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 Itasca Spirit, Navion, Cambria, Tribute, Sunstar, Sunova, Suncruiser, Solei, Meridian, Elipse, Horizon, Reyo, and Via motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk
In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. The recall began on January 19, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.

Winnebago Industries, Inc · up to 17,360 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

STRUCTURE

22,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Winnebago Forza RV. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the cargo door and the door enclosing the propane tank on the driver's side unexpectedly opened. The contact stated that the failures had occurred several times. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who was unable to repair the doors properly. The failure had become a recurring failure. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V512000 (Structure). The contact had received the recall letter however, the failings with the door reoccurred. The failure mileage

NHTSA complaint 11697419, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Just want to inform you of a potentially dangerous situation on 2018 Winnebago Forza’s. The propane line for the Truma Water Heater is routed under the right sink cabinet but above the metal engine box. As it runs, it is pinched between the engine box and cabinet. During driving, the cabinet moves up and down and chaffs and crushes the propane line. I caught mine in time and routed it, however, had I not caught this, it would have chaffed through and Boom. Truma Corp technician found this kinked line because I was having Water Heater problems since day one. I see on some of the Facebook groups, owners are reporting similar problems with their Truma Water Heaters not providing enough hot

NHTSA complaint 11495803, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

9,000 miles

WINNEBAGO ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL 8 MONTHS AGO ON LOWER STORAGE DOORS THAT OPEN WHILE TRAVELING. I HAD A DOOR OPEN AT HWY SPEEDS YESTERDAY. COMPANY CONTINUES TO APPOLIGISE BUT WON'T FIX PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint 11337167. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

8,500 miles

WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY THE DOORS TO BASEMENT STORAGE UNLATCH AND SWING OPEN WITHOUT WARNING. I BELIEVE THAT THE DOOR LATCHES WORK LOOSE FROM IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT, SLICK NYLON LATCH PINS AND BUMPS CAUSING THE LATCH PIN TO RELEASE FROM THE LATCH LOOP. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE WHEN THEY ARE OPEN AND CAN SWING ALL OF THE WAY OPEN ALLOWING STORED ITEMS TO COME OUT AND CAUSE TRAFFIC HAZARDS, IN ADDITION TO DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE HINGED DOORS THEMSELVES.

NHTSA complaint 11234524. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

3,200 miles

BASEMENT DOORS OPEN WHEN TRAVELING. WE HAD 4 OPEN DURING OUR EARLY TRIPS. NOW HAVE 2 THAT OPEN. DEALER HAS TRIED TO ADJUST THESE DOORS 4 TIMES WITH NO SOLUTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE DOORS OPEN INTO THE LANES NEXT TO ME. THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. LATEST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 7/9/19 ON I-95 MILEMARKER 100 IN VIRGINIA BUT HAS HAPPENED SINCE MARCH 2019 WHEN WE BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA complaint 11230939. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

210 miles

BASEMENT DOOR PLASTIC LATCHES GAVE WAY WHILE IN MOTION ON THE INTERSTATE. FOUR DOORS FLEW OPEN IN TRAFFIC. SECURED WITH DUCT TAPE UNTIL DEALER COULD REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. WINNEBAGO AUTHORIZED LATCH ADJUSTMENT. OTHER FORZA OWNERS TOLD US THE LATCH ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT WORK AND DOORS WILL CONTINUE TO OPEN WHEN UNDERWAY. WE CONTINUE TO SECURE WITH DUCT TAPE, ANTICIPATING THE DOORS WILL FLY OPEN YET AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint 11230082. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Winnebago Forza

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2019 18 4 —

Every Winnebago on this site — 13 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst