RoadVitals

2005 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.
6
Latest May 20, 2012
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.
3

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Winnebago Journey, most frequently naming the electrical, body & structure and heating & air conditioning 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

  • Electrical450.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Heating & air conditioning112.5%
  • Engine112.5%
  • Visibility112.5%

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
08V223000

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

May 19, 2008
1,699 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING 1,699 MY 2005-2009 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY, TOUR AND ITASCA MERIDIAN AND ELLIPSE MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON THE FREIGHTLINER XC CHASSIS. THE CHASSIS CONTAINS STEERING FILTERS THAT CAN PLUG DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SCREEN ADHESION TO THE FILTER HOUSING CAUSING A RISE IN RETURN LINE PRESSURE POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A HOSE SEPARATION FROM THE FILTER OR STEERING GEAR FITTING RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING FLUID AND POWER ASSIST.
The risk: SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVING A MOTOR HOME COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: FREIGHTLINER IS CONDUCTING THIS RECALL AND WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED FILTERS WITH A LARGER FILTER (PLEASE SEE 07V570). OWNERS MAY CONTACT FREIGHTLINER AT 1-800-547-0712 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
05V407000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Sep 14, 2005
1,367 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
The risk: THIS CAN ALLOW EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIALS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OI VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.Manufacturer number 96View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureVisibility
Filed May 20, 2012

I HAVE A 2005 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY 39F MOTORHOME. SINCE THE MOTORHOME WAS TWO YEARS OLD (IT SAT ON THE DEALER'S LOT, IN THE OPEN, FOR ONE YEAR BEFORE I PURCHASED IT) WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN, WATER DRIPS ONTO THE DASH FROM ABOVE THE LEFT (DRIVER'S) WINDSHIELD. I CONTACTED WINNEBAGO AND THEY SAID TO PUT SILICON AROUND THE LIGHTS ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH I DID. THE CONDITION REMAINS THE SAME. THE INTERNET HAS REPORTED THAT THE METAL FRAME AROUND THE GLASS RUSTS OUT CAUSING THE LEAKS. I WORRY THAT THE ENTIRE WINDOW FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF THE WINDOW BREAKING OR COMING LOOSER. THE VAST NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM LEADS TO THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSION THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN AND/OR CONSTRUCTION OF THE WINDSHIELD FRAMES. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10459036
Incident
Jul 1, 2008
Mileage
10,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE MEDALLION INSTRUMENTATION CENTER WAS NOT READABLE DUE TO IMPROPER BACK LIGHTING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT MADE BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER. UPDATED 9/13/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS ORDER A UPDATED READ OUT UNIT FROM MEDALLION AND WILL PAY EXTRA TO HAVE IT INSTALLED. THE CONSUMER MENTIONED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AT LEAST A YEAR AGO. *NM

NHTSA ID
10166973
Incident
Aug 29, 2006
Mileage
10,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Mar 28, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING TOXIC FUMES FROM EITHER THE DIESEL ENGINE OR EXHAUST WERE COMING INTO THE MOTOR HOME. THIS CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME NAUSEATED, AND HAVE EYE AND NOSE IRRITATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS. ON THE FIRST OCCASION HOLES WERE FOUND IN THE COACH AND REPAIRED. ON THE SECOND OCCASION THE ENGINE'S RUBBER SEAL WAS FOUND TO BE LEAKING AND REPLACED. ON THE THIRD OCCASION THE AIR CONDITIONER DUCTS WERE RE DONE IN AN EFFORT TO STOP THE FUMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10153947
Incident
Mar 28, 2006
Mileage
5,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 25, 2005
Fire reported

MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARDS, QUESTIONABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH BATTERY FAILURE, IN COACH PORTION (NOT DRIVE TRAIN) OF 2005 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY, STARTING APPROXIMATELY AUGUST 20, 2005, AND WITH VISIBLE FIREBALL IN INVERTER/CHARGER ON OCTOBER 20, 2005. *JB

NHTSA ID
10140765
Incident
Aug 20, 2005
Mileage
1,400 mi
Electrical
Filed May 20, 2005
Fire reported

2005 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY MOTOR HOME DASHBOARD CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING.*MR WHEN THE FIRE OCCURRED WHITE SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE DASH AREA. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE DASH AREA WAS MELTED AND NO ONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE AIR CONDITIONER OR HEATER MOTOR FAN. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPLAINED THAT THE RV WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE SAFETY FEATURE WHICH WOULD PREVENT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE BUT OBVIOUSLY THEY DID NOT WORK. *NM

NHTSA ID
10122627
Incident
Apr 24, 2005
Mileage
2,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2005
Fire reported

2005 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE DASHBOARD. *MR THE FIRE HAD POSSIBLY ORIGINATED IN THE A/C AND OR HEATING MOTOR FAN AND MELTED THE DASH. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10121518
Incident
Apr 24, 2005

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—
2005Viewing640—
20041140—
2003540—
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.