VehicleVerdict

2004 Winnebago Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 16 complaints on file for the 2004 Winnebago Journey — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

16

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Journey years?

Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted16 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 3 complaints1998: 0 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 3 complaints2001: 2 complaints2002: 1 complaints2003: 5 complaints2004: 16 complaints2005: 9 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 6 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 3 complaints2011: 4 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 1 complaints2017: 4 complaints2018: 1 complaints2019: 0 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints
Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Winnebago Journey problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other744%
Body & Structure319%
Electrical System213%
Fuel System213%
Brakes16%
Visibility & Wipers16%

Does the 2004 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

4 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.

05V407000OtherSeptember 14, 2005 · 1,367 units

Defect

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.

04V608000Seat BeltsDecember 18, 2004 · 6,201 units

Defect

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.

04V114000OtherMarch 4, 2004 · 5,143 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES, THE LP TANK HAS STRESS ON WELD JOINTS AT THE POINT WHERE MOUNTING BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE TANK.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN IN OPERATION ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS OUR 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY OVER CHARGES THE COACH BATTERIES. THE INVERTER OVER CHARGES OVER 16 VOLTS CAUSING A HIGH VOLTAGE TO THE BATTERIES. AFTER THIS OCCURS THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE BURNT OUT. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 25, 2005

“WHEN IN OPERATION ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS OUR 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY OVER CHARGES THE COACH BATTERIES. THE INVERTER OVER CHARGES OVER 16 VOLTS CAUSING A HIGH VOLTAGE TO THE BATTERIES. AFTER THIS OCCURS THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE BURNT OUT. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 25, 2005

“WHEN IN OPERATION ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS OUR 2004 WINNEBAGO JOURNEY OVER CHARGES THE COACH BATTERIES. THE INVERTER OVER CHARGES OVER 16 VOLTS CAUSING A HIGH VOLTAGE TO THE BATTERIES. AFTER THIS OCCURS THERE ARE SEVERAL ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTS THAT ARE BURNT OUT. THERE HAS BEEN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 25, 2005

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 19, 2012

“FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. CONSUMER PULLED OVER VEHICLE UNTIL IT STOPPED RAINING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 25, 2004

2004 Winnebago Journey — common questions

Is the 2004 Winnebago Journey reliable?

The record is thin — 16 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2004 Journey problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (7 complaints), body & structure (3 complaints), electrical system (2 complaints).

Does the 2004 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 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.