Gear box: shaft pitmanRecall 07V-577 · Itasca and Winnebago vehicles

WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. recall 07V-577 covers 1,972 Itasca and Winnebago vehicles for a gear box: shaft pitman problem, reported to NHTSA on December 12, 2007.

Vehicles repairedNo manufacturer report yet

Vehicles affected1,9722 models

ReportedDec 12, 2007Owner notice date not listed

Complaints since1Same system, after the recall

Source: NHTSA recall 07V577000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by an NHTSA defect investigation.

What's wrong

The problem

CERTAIN MOTOR HOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH ZF MODEL 8018 STEERING GEARS MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE INCORRECT RECIRCULATING BALL SPACER. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY ALLOW THE RECIRCULATION BALLS TO ESCAPE FROM THE RECIRCULATION BALL CIRCUIT RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING.

The risk

THE OPERATOR MAY NOTICE HIGHER REQUIRED STEERING WHEEL INPUTS,OR THE NEED FOR MORE STEERING WHEEL ADJUSTMENTS, WHILE DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IN COMBINATION WITH METALLIC CRACKING NOISES PRIOR TO A LOSS OF STEERING. LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

What to do

The fix

WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH FREIGHTLINER AND ZF TO REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535 OR FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712.

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY OUTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://

Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

2 models

Vehicles in this recall

Itasca Horizon2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Winnebago Vecta2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Built from July 14, 2003 to August 17, 2007. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.