2018 Winnebago Forza problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 5 recalls and 11 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Winnebago Forza. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 recall, 8 complaints
Recall 19V512000 (03/07/2019): STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
Fix: 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.
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 2 recalls
Recall 24V733000 (01/10/2024): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
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."
Fix: 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.
Recall 24V826000 (01/11/2024): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Fix: 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.
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
Other: 1 recall, 3 complaints
Recall 17V782000 (07/12/2017): EQUIPMENT
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:/
Fix: 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.
LP gas and gas appliances: 1 recall
Recall 18V855000 (30/11/2018): EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS
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.
Fix: 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.
What a tech checks: Regulator, lines and fittings, then the appliances: furnace, water heater, range. A proper pressure-drop leak test is the first thing a tech does on an LP complaint. Before you buy: Smell for gas with the tank open; have a shop do the leak test.
LP and furnace lessons · Furnace guide · Furnace 3D lab · Water heater 3D lab
What owners reported to NHTSA
12/02/2022, 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,
10/11/2018, STRUCTURE: WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, LATCH HOLDING DRIVERS SIDE STORAGE BIN DOOR RELEASED. CAR WAS PASSING AND PRESSURE CHANGES CAUSED DOOR TO FULLY SWING INTO LANE WITH CAR, ABOUT 3 FEET. CAR VEERED AND RECOVERED WITH NO DAMAGE. *DT *DT NOTE THAT DOORS HAVE RELEASED MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE WHILE TRAVELING, BUT THIS WAS THE ONLY TIME IT OPENED INTO ANOTHER LANE. MOTORHOME WAS TAKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHERE THEY ADJUSTED TH
07/24/2019, STRUCTURE: 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
07/11/2019, STRUCTURE: 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.
07/08/2019, STRUCTURE: 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.
07/02/2020, STRUCTURE: 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.
Looking at a 2018 Winnebago Forza?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.