VehicleVerdict

1996 Winnebago Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1996 Winnebago Journey — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1996 compare to other Journey years?

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 1996 Winnebago Journey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure2100%

Does the 1996 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V525000OtherOctober 26, 2010 · 18,461 units

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.

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.

02V276006OtherDecember 3, 2002 · 631 units

Defect

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNITS MODEL NUMBERS 442, 443, 452, EV452, 453, 462, EV462, 463, EV463, 482, EV482, 483, EV483, 874, AND 875. THESE REFRIGERATORS CAN EXPERIENCE A BREAK DOWN IN A RUBBER SEAL WITHIN THE GAS VALVE. AS THE RUBBER SEAL AGES, A LEAK MAY OCCUR, ALLOWING PROPANE GAS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE BURNER AREA.

Consequence

THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

NORCOLD WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT GAS VALVE FREE OF CHARGE. 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 NORCOLD SERVICE CENTER AT 1-800-667-3005 OR WINNEBAGO AT 641-585-3535.

01V260000Fuel SystemAugust 15, 2001 · 1,292 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES (MODELS WKP36L, WKP36LD, AND IKP36LD). FOUR NUTS MAY HAVE LOOSENED FROM THE FOUR BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE LIQUID PROPANE (LP) TANK TO THE MOTOR HOME. IF THE ATTACHMENT HARDWARE IS LOOSENED, THE ROAD VIBRATION COULD PRODUCE UNDUE STRESS ON THE WELD JOINTS OF THE BRACKETS AND THEY COULD BREAK.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TANK COULD FALL OFF, RESULTING IN A ROAD HAZARD OR A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LP TANK ATTACHMENT AND RE-TIGHTENED THE FASTENERS IN ADDITION TO ADDING LOCK NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 24, 2001. 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 WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

01V128004Seat BeltsApril 30, 2001 · 4,370 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LAP BELTS AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT WITH A NEW BELT ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 25, 2001. 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 AM-SAFE AT 1-219-266-8330 OR WINNEBAGO AT 1-641-585-6939.

00V273004Seat BeltsOctober 13, 2000 · 6,550 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES BUILT BY AM-SAFE. ON SOME SEAT BELTS, THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTOR MAY UNLATCH DURING A COLLISION.

Consequence

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES.

00V052000Electrical SystemFebruary 24, 2000 · 235 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES MAY CONTAIN A GENERATOR WITH AN IMPROPERLY SIZED BREAKER FOR ITS INTENDED APPLICATION. A 30-AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER IS INSTALLED WHERE A 20-AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER SHOULD BE. THIS BREAKER PROTECTS THE CIRCUIT THAT GOES TO A CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING UNIT.

Consequence

IF AN OVERLOAD WERE TO OCCUR TO THE CIRCUIT, IT COULD IGNITE THE INSULATION AND RESULT IN BODILY INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS IN THE GENERATOR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BREAKER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE FRAME STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE IS BENT AND TWISTED, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HANDLE WELL WHILE DRIVING DUE TO FRAME STRUCTURE PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *MJS

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 17, 2000

1996 Winnebago Journey — common questions

Is the 1996 Winnebago Journey reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1996 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1996 Winnebago Journey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.