RoadVitals

2003 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.
5
Latest Apr 28, 2010
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Winnebago Journey, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and other / unspecified categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 8 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

  • Engine240.0%
  • Driver assistance120.0%
  • Other / unspecified120.0%
  • Tires & wheels120.0%

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
09V300000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 29, 2009
1,547 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,547 MODEL YEAR 2001-2003 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LRIM REFRIGERATORS, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 1, 2001 TO DECEMBER 31, 2002, WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.
The risk: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD AND NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 09E-027). OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
04V114000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:TANK ASSEMBLY

Mar 4, 2004
5,143 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE LP TANK HAS STRESS ON WELD JOINTS AT THE POINT WHERE MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE TANK.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE STRESS CRACKS AT THE WELD JOINTS AND LEAD TO AN LP LEAK AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REINSTALL A CRADLE-STYLE CARRIER, AND, IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE LP TANK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 25, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 90View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Apr 28, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN X TIRES, SIZE P235/80/R22.5. TWO OF THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS. THE CONTACT LATER FOUND OUT THAT ONE TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED SIX YEARS AND THE OTHER TIRE TEN YEARS BEFORE HE PURCHASED THEM. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RETURN THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE PURCHASED FROM A TIRE FACILITY THAT WAS 700 MILES FROM HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 500 AND 700 MILES AND THEN IT WAS PARKED FOR THREE MONTHS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN, HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD NOT HOLD AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10327901
Incident
Dec 16, 2009
Mileage
51,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2004
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MUFFLER, ALLOWING FIRE HOT DIESEL ENGINE EXHAUST FLAMES & GASES TO ENTER THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND TORCH THE WOOD TRANFER SWITCH STRUCTURE., AS WELL AS SEND CORBON MONOXIDE INTO THE COACH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ME TO STOP MY VEHICLE ON A MAJOR US INTERSTATE, BACK UP TRAFFIC FOR MORE THEN A MILE, AND DO AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF MY WIFE AN OUR TWO YORKIES. THIS EVENT CAUSE EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF OUR COACH, CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, AND MADE THE MUFFLER UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10102298
Incident
Sep 19, 2004
Mileage
18,900 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2004
Fire reported

VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AS A RESULT OF 2 SCREWS THAT MOUNTED AN ELECTRICA TRANSFER SWITCH, WERE INAPPORPERATELY SCREWED INTO THE ENGINES EXHAUST MUFFLER. AFTER ABOUT 18,000 MILES OF ENGINE TORQUE AND VIBRATION, THE SCREWS ENLARGED THE HOLES ON THE REAR OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND IN THE MUFFLER ALLOWING FIREY HOT DIESEL ENGINE EXHAUST FLAMES & GASES TO ENTER THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT AND TORCH THE WOOD TRANFER SWITCH STRUCTURE., AS WELL AS SEND CORBON MONOXIDE INTO THE COACH. THIS PROBLEM CAUSE ME TO STOP MY VEHICLE ON A MAJOR US INTERSTATE, BACK UP TRAFFIC FOR MORE THEN A MILE, AND DO AN EMERGENCY EVACUATION OF MY WIFE AN OUR TWO YORKIES. THIS EVENT CAUSE EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF OUR COACH, CAUSED HEAT DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENT, AND MADE THE MUFFLER UNSAFE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10102296
Incident
Sep 19, 2004
Mileage
18,900 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 4, 2004

CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V11400O REGARDING LP TANK. DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT RECALL REPAIRS. VEHICLE WAS KEPT BY THE DEALER FOR OVER THREE WEEKS. *AK IT TOOK THE DEALER 3 WEEKS TO PERFORM A 3 HOUR RECALL. THE DEALER AND WINNEBAGO WERE NOT VERY COOPERATIVE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10072074
Incident
Jun 1, 2004
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 2003

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH PLASTIC HINGE PIN SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE THROTTLE PEDAL TO DETACH. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE INSTALLED A TEMPORARY PIN, AND THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE TEMPORARY HINGE PIN WITH A PERMANENT STEEL HINGE PIN. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044386
Incident
Apr 1, 2003
Mileage
2,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

7SB009-24-01A

Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.

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.

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—
2003Viewing540—
2002130—
2001240—
2000340—
1999020—
1998030—
1997240—
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.