RoadVitals

2011 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 Jan 27, 2021
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.
3
Latest Dec 6, 2012
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 2011 Winnebago Journey, most frequently naming the electrical, body & structure and seat belts categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 9 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

  • Electrical250.0%
  • Body & structure125.0%
  • Seat belts125.0%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
12V566000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dec 6, 2012
1,521 units potentially affected
The defect: Winnebago Industries is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Winnebago Journey and Tour motorhomes, and certain model year 2010-2013 Itasca Meridian and Ellipse motorhomes, manufactured June 18, 2010, through November 17, 2011. The chassis are equipped with connectors for diode jumpers that may come loose, resulting in an open circuit. Two circuits are affected: The one that disengages the cruise control with brake pedal use, and the one that illuminates the brake lights with brake pedal use.
The risk: Failure of the cruise control to disengage when the brakes are applied may increase the risk of a vehicle crash. Without the brake lights illuminating when the brakes are applied, the driver's intent is not communicated, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Daimler Trucks North America will be conducting the recall on behalf of Winnebago Industries. Daimler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the the diode jumpers to make sure they are fully locked in place and will correct the vehicles as needed. The recall began December 26, 2012. Owners should contact Winnebago at 1-641-585-3535 or Daimler Trucks at 1-503-745-6910.
Winnebago Industries Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
11V520000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Oct 20, 2011
237 units potentially affected
The defect: WINNEBAGO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 JOURNEY, MERIDIAN, TOUR, ELLIPSE MOTOR HOMES AND WINNEBAGO COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BUILT ON MC, XCL, AND XCS CHASSIS FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2010, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2010, AND EQUIPPED WITH A CUMMINS ISX OR ISL DIESEL ENGINE. THE V-BAND CLAMP ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBERS Q187684, Q187685, AND Q187686, USED TO CONNECT THE INLET AND OUTLET CONE SECTIONS TO THE DIESEL OXIDATION CATALYST (DOC)/DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) INCLUDE A T-BOLT WHICH CAN FRACTURE AND FAIL WHEN SUBJECTED TO STRESS OR LOAD. A FRACTURE OR FAILURE OF THE T-BOLT MAY CAUSE THE CLAMP TO LOOSEN AND THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS ATTACHED TO THE DOC/DPF HOUSING TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IF THE INLET OR OUTLET SECTIONS DISCONNECT, HOT EXHAUST GASES CAN VENT PRIOR TO EXITING THE TAILPIPE, CREATING THE RISK OF COMBUSTION AND A FIRE. IF BOTH CLAMPS FAIL, THERE IS A RISK IN SOME APPLICATIONS THAT THE DOC/DPF HOUSING MAY DETACH COMPLETELY, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD.
The remedy: WINNEBAGO IS WORKING WITH DAIMLER TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA (THE SUPPLIER OF THE CHASSIS) AND CUMMINS TO IDENTIFY AND NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A REMEDY PLAN FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN OCTOBER 10, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-812-377-5000.
WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.View 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structureElectricalSeat belts
Filed Jan 27, 2021

RV SLIDEOUTS OFTEN HAVE PASSENGER SEATING. ON CERTAIN MODELS OF POWER GEAR SLIDE SYSTEMS, THERE IS A LOCK SYSTEM TO ENSURE THAT THE SLIDEOUT CAN'T MOVE WHILE DRIVING. THESE LOCKING MECHANISMS CIRCA 2010 - 2012? WERE DEFECTIVE AND OFTEN JAM IN THE UNLOCKED POSITION. THE OPERATOR HAS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE LOCK IS INOPERATIVE AND NOT HOLDING THE SLIDEOUT CLOSED. THIS PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE COACH AS A VEHICLE IN MOTION, AND A DANGER TO PASSENGERS WHO ARE SEAT-BELTED INTO THE SLIDEOUT. IN 2012 POWERGEAR AND KWIKEE (BOTH DIVISIONS OF LIPPERT ( LCI INDUSTRIES) & WINNEBAGO OFFERED AN "UPGRADE" KIT TO FIX THIS SLIDEOUT LOCKS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL! ATTACHED IS THE POWERGEAR BULLETIN REGARDING THE KIT SUPPLIED TO 'UPGRADE' THE LOCKS SO THEY WOULD NOT FAIL IN THE OPEN POSITION. I HAVE TRIED TO GET LCI TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY REFUSE. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS ON MANY BRANDS OF RV'S THAT USE THE POWERGEAR ARM AND PINION SLIDEOUT MECHANISMS. A WEB SEARCH OF THE RV FORUMS WILL YIELD STORIES OF RV OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD VARIOUS STANDINGS AND MAJOR PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE OF THESE LOCKS. MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IS ONLY THAT I DISCOVERED THESE LOCKS ON MY COACH WERE NOT WORKING AND AM DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE OF THE RISK POSED BY TWO OF MY SLIDES NOT BEING LOCKED. LCI HAS DECLINED TO DO MORE THAN OFFER A 25% DISCOUNT ON THE ENTIRE SLIDE MECHANISM (MUCH MORE THAN NEEDED TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE).

NHTSA ID
11390312
Incident
Dec 20, 2020
Mileage
13,255 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 31, 2013

WHILE OPERATING THE DRIVER FRONT SLIDE, THE HARNESS THAT ENCASES ELECTRICAL WIRES IN A PLASTIC CHAIN, DID NOT FLOW BACK INTO THE BOX DESIGNED FOR IT. THE PLASTIC CHAIN FAILED AND THE HARNESS BACKED UP AND GOT WEDGED BETWEEN THE AREA IT SLIDES INTO AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE SLIDE OUTSIDE THE MOTOR HOME SQUASHED THE HARNESS AND ELECTRICAL WIRES. AND OF COURSE, BECAUSE YOU ARE INSIDE THE RV CLOSING THE SLIDE, YOU DON'T SEE THE DAMAGES UNTIL ITS TOO LATE. THAT HARNESS ALSO IS ATTACHED TO A METAL BRACKET WHICH IS IN RETURN ATTACHED TO THE MOVING SLIDE. WITH 50 AMP SERVICE PLUGGED INTO THE RV, I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A SEVERE ELECTRICAL HAZARD. THE PLASTIC CHAIN HARNESS ALSO BECAME DETACHED FROM THE REAR OF THE "BOX" IT SLIDES INTO WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE RV. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGES WHEN THIS HAPPENED TO MY COACH. I HAVE ALSO REVIEWED INTERNET FORUMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THIS DESIGN. IT'S MY OPINION THAT ELECTRICAL HAZARDS LIKE THIS COULD CAUSE BODILY INJURY OR START FIRES. I AM SURPRISED THAT I HAVE NOT SEEN, NOR GOTTEN, ANY RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS SAY THAT THIS WAS A BAD DESIGN, AND YET WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES KNOWS THIS, WILL NOT ELABORATE ON THEIR TECHNICAL FIX, OR A PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN TO US OR OTHERS. WITHOUT RECALL, AND THIS HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE, THEY MIGHT NOT BE SO LUCK TO RECTIFY THIS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE THE DAMAGES COULD BE MORE SEVERE UPDATED 11/14/13*CN

NHTSA ID
10550407
Incident
Oct 26, 2013
Mileage
11,400 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—
2011Viewing230—
2010220—
2009040—
2008070—
2007450—
2006170—
2005640—
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.