2005 Winnebago Journey recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Steering
What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 JOURNEY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 08V223000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-547-0712.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Summary: 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.
Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING INVOLVING A MOTOR HOME COULD BE A PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN DRIVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Notes: CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
2. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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-…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 JOURNEY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V525000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-767-9101.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
3. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON SOME MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOAD REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
What could happen: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AMSAFE AT 1-574-266-8330 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 JOURNEY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 04V608000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-574-266-8330.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: CERTAIN SEAT BELT BUCKLES ON SOME MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE LOAD REQUIREMENT OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES."
Consequence: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT AMSAFE AT 1-574-266-8330 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-800-537-1885.
Notes: WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 92. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.
4. Equipment
What's wrong, in plain English: A part or accessory supplied with the vehicle. ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
What could happen: 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 fix: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2005 JOURNEY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Winnebago dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 05V407000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-641-585-6939.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
Summary: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
Consequence: THIS CAN ALLOW EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIALS, RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OI VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.
Notes: WINNEBAGO RECALL NO. 96. CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236; (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 2005 Winnebago Journey owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (4), Body / structure (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Engine (1), Equipment (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (6)
05/20/2012 · Body / structure
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…
08/29/2006 · Electrical system
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 TH…
03/28/2006 · Engine
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 ENG…
10/25/2005 · Electrical system · fire
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
05/20/2005 · Electrical system · fire
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.…
05/13/2005 · Electrical system · fire
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