Model year record

2004 Winnebago Journey recalls & problems

The 2004 Winnebago Journey has 4 safety recalls and 11 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is equipment (5 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints11filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentOct 26, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10V52500018,461 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
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 1-800-767-9101 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-3535.

EquipmentSep 14, 2005

Recreational vehicle/trailer

Recall 05V4070001,367 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES, THE ROOF VENT FOR THE OPTIONAL 4-DOOR REFRIGERATOR WAS INCORRECTLY LOCATED.
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ROOF VENT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

Seat beltsDec 18, 2004

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 04V6080006,201 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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."
Risk: THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE MAY UNLATCH IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PERSONAL INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
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.

EquipmentMar 4, 2004

Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Tank assembly

Recall 04V1140005,143 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE LP TANK HAS STRESS ON WELD JOINTS AT THE POINT WHERE MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE TANK.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE STRESS CRACKS AT THE WELD JOINTS AND LEAD TO AN LP LEAK AND CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR VEHICLE DAMAGE.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Typical mileage*
EquipmentRecreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems; Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Tank assembly	5	0	50,000 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body	3	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition	2	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	1	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	1	—
Fuel system, otherStorage	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Unknown or other
Winnebago propane road tank serial #1661055. This tank is mounted on the frame with 2 brackets which are welded to the tank and bolted to the frame. This is the second time for this failure. The tank forms a crack at the end of the bracket where the bracket has a sharp 90 degree corner. The bracket is not welded at this point and is welded 3/4 of an inch from where the leak forms. The second leak happened with a full tank of propane (37.6 gallons) and was at the bottom of the tank and therefore in liquid not gaseous propane. The leak was loud enough to be audible and as such scared the hell out of us. We had just driven the stretch of highway 93 between Phoenix and Henderson Nevada which is…
Apr 1, 2022
Equipment
The contact owns a 2004 Winnebago Journey travel trailer. The contact stated that there was a propane odor detected about a year ago but the propane leakage was recently found at the weld joints where there was a stress crack. The local dealer and Gander RV & Outdoors of Nashville (2614 Music Valley Dr, Nashville, TN 37214) were made aware of the failure and both dealers informed the contact that the propane tank needed to be replaced. The propane tank was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to two different dealers. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V114000 (Equipment). The failure mileage was 110,000.
Jun 1, 2021 · 110,000 miles
Structure › Body
LPG TANK IS LEAKING FROM THE WELD WHERE THE MOUNTING BRACKET IS ATTACHED. THIS IS A RECALL.WINNEBAGO IS REFUSING TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS ISSUE.A LOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.NOT VERY GOOD SERVICE FROM WINNEBAGO!!!
Jun 26, 2014 · 65,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED NEAR THE WELDED FRONT BRACKET. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 10/03/14*LJ UPDATED 3/10/15 *JS
Apr 19, 2012 · 28,000 miles
Fuel system, other › Storage
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HOME EMITTED A STRONG PROPANE ODOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PROPANE TANK HAD A HOLE IN THE BRACKET MOUNTING AREA DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LP TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V114000 (EQUIPMENT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN UPDATED 09/5/2014 *JS
Jun 1, 2014 · 47,000 miles
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY MOTOR HOME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HOME EMITTED A STRONG PROPANE ODOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE PROPANE TANK HAD A HOLE IN THE BRACKET MOUNTING AREA DUE TO DEFECTIVE WELDING. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE MOTOR HOME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Jun 1, 2011 · 55,000 miles
Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Tank assembly
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE PROPANE DETECTION ALARM SOUNDED IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VERY SMALL CRACK WHERE THE PROPANE TANK WAS WELDED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V114000 (EQUIPMENT: RECREATIONAL VEHICLE: LPG TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR AND THE PROPANE TANK WAS REPLACED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECURRED SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Jul 1, 2008 · 45,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFire
ON JULY 1ST OF THIS YEAR OUR 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS EVIDENT. THE TWO HYDRAULIC LINES FOR THE REAR SLIDE WERE ROUTED AROUND THE FRAME IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE TURBO CHARGER AND REPEATED EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT OF THAT UNIT HAD CAUSED THEM TO DETERIORATE, BURST AND SPRAY HYDRAULIC FLUID. THAT FLUID, HITTING THE VERY HOT TURBO CHARGER QUICKLY IGNITED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. I RETIRED IN 2003 AS THE MASTER MECHANIC FOR THE DENVER FIRE DEPARTMENT. AS SUCH I WAS IN CHARGE OF THE ENTIRE FLEET AND ALL EQUIPMENT FOR THE DENVER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND MY EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS ARE AS A MASTER TECHNICIAN (ASE CERTIFIED) FOR TRUCK AND…
Jul 1, 2008 · 32,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.