Vehicle manufacturer issues recalls for TPMS

Jan. 20, 2015

Winnebago Industries Inc. is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Winnebago Trend, Travato and Itasca Viva motorhomes manufactured Nov. 13, 2014, to Dec. 23, 2015. The recall affects 1,107 vehicles.

In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tire pressure warning light will illuminate, despite the tire pressures being within specification. Should one of the tires lose air pressure, the driver would not be notified of the change in air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

If the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located, it could mask an actual low tire pressure condition, possibly resulting in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Winnebago discovered the defect following notification Jan. 5, 2015, from Chrysler Group LLC, the manufacturer of the component.

Winnebago will have Chrysler Group LLC notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS module software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is P62.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.