RoadVitals

1997 Winnebago Journey

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Oct 18, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Oct 26, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Winnebago Journey, most frequently naming the body & structure and steering categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure150.0%
  • Steering150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V525000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 26, 2010
18,461 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1200-SERIES NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. THE POPULATION OF REFRIGERATORS BEING ADDRESSED CONTAINS EITHER A SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED IN ORDER TO PREVENT A POTENTIAL FIRE. THE RESPONSE TIMES OF THE SENSOR ALGORITHM AND THERMAL SWITCH DEVICES TO STOP POWER ARE NOT SUFFICIENT.
The risk: THE SENSING ALGORITHM OR THERMAL SWITCH INSTALLED TO SHUT OFF POWER TO THE REFRIGERATOR WHEN HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE DETECTED DUE TO A POSSIBLE HYDROGEN GAS LEAK MAY NOT SHUT OFF IN SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREVENT A FIRE.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY ANY AFFECTED OWNERS. OWNERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT NORCOLD DEALERS TO RECEIVE THE REMEDY FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE SEE NORCOLD'S DEFECT REPORT 10E-049 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
02V276006

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Dec 3, 2002
631 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.
The risk: THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.View on NHTSA.gov
01V260000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING

Aug 15, 2001
1,292 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES (MODELS WKP36L, WKP36LD, AND IKP36LD). FOUR NUTS MAY HAVE LOOSENED FROM THE FOUR BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) TANK TO THE MOTOR HOME. IF THE ATTACHMENT HARDWARE IS LOOSENED, THE ROAD VIBRATION COULD PRODUCE UNDUE STRESS ON THE WELD JOINTS OF THE BRACKETS AND THEY COULD BREAK.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TANK COULD FALL OFF, RESULTING IN A ROAD HAZARD OR A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LP TANK ATTACHMENT AND RE-TIGHTENED THE FASTENERS IN ADDITION TO ADDING LOCK NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 24, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Oct 18, 2002

VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SINCE PURCHASE WITH 4,300 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER DEALERS NUMEROUS TIMES. 8 ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE, GEARBOX, DIFFERENTIAL AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, WINNEBAGO INSISTS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. MR

NHTSA ID
8021125
Incident
Jun 25, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2002

REAR WHEELS REFLECTOR CAME OFF DURING INSPECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8013852
Incident
Jun 20, 2002

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

7SB002-24-01A

Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.

7SB005-23-01A

STRUCTURE

Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.

7SB009-22-02A

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin sent to all dealers. This bulletin advises dealers they no longer need to email Winnebago the signed Vehicle Registration Form, but they should retain a copy for their records.

7SB009-21-02A

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin to dealers reminding them to understand their state's Lemon Law and to comply with Winnebago Motorhome mandates outlined in the Policy & Procedure Manual.

7SB010-21-01Z

EQUIPMENT

Service Bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.

7SB014-21-01A

EQUIPMENT

General Parts and Service Letter to dealers detailing the warranty part return procedure.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Winnebago Journey by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024000—
2023010—
2022010—
2019010—
2018140—
2017340—
2016160—
2015040—
2014040—
2013050—
2012120—
2011230—
2010220—
2009040—
2008070—
2007450—
2006170—
2005640—
20041140—
2003540—
2002130—
2001240—
2000340—
1999020—
1998030—
1997Viewing240—
1996160—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.