2003 Winnebago Journey
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Winnebago › Journey › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Winnebago Journey. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
4 recalls name the 2003 Winnebago Journey. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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 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…
Risk and remedy
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.
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.
On certain motorhomes, the lp tank has stress on weld joints at the point where mounting brackets are welded to the tank.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause stress cracks at the weld joints and lead to an lp leak and cause personal injury and/or vehicle damage.
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.
On certain motor homes equipped with caterpillar 3126e hydraulically controlled electronically actuated unit injected diesel engines with high efficiency pumps (HEP8). the pump components may experience a high pressure seal failure which can result in a short period of rough running and subsequent engine stall due to a loss of injection actuation pressure.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Once engine stall occurs, the engine cannot be restarted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Caterpillar IS conducting the owner notification and remedy for this campaign. dealers will inspect the pump serial numbers and replace the pump if necessary. owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact caterpillar at 1-800-447-4986 or winnebago at 1-641-585-6966.
Owner complaints
5 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
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…
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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…
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
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…
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
- Equipment › Recreational vehicle/trailer › Lpg systems › Tank assembly
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
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10252834Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.
- 10251128Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin outlines the characteristics of new roof sealant being used.
- 10226724Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers. Bulletin advises of a manufacturing change to the shower surround sealant process for all units.
- 10213593Service 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.
- 10199382Service 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.
- 10199381Service Bulletin to dealers advising them of part sales training opportunities.
- 10199380General Parts and Service Letter to dealers detailing the warranty part return procedure.
- 10011986Hwh x-slide installation adjustments. Various models including the winnebago 2003 and newer ultimate advantage, ultimate freedom models equipped with the hwh x-slide.
Every Winnebago Journey model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.