2005 Winnebago Journey problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2005 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.

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Journey years?

Journey NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Journey years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Winnebago Journey problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Electrical System	4	44%	▲ up
Engine	2	22%	— flat
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)	1	11%	new
Body & Structure	1	11%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	1	11%	— flat

Does the 2005 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.

08V223000SteeringMay 19, 2008 · 1,699 units

Defect

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 20, 2005 · fire

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 28, 2006

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · March 28, 2006

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 1, 2008

“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…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · July 1, 2008

2005 Winnebago Journey — common questions

Is the 2005 Winnebago Journey reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2005 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Winnebago Journey. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2005 compare to other Journey years?

What are the most common 2005 Winnebago Journey problems?

Does the 2005 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2005 Winnebago Journey — common questions

Is the 2005 Winnebago Journey reliable?

Does the 2005 Winnebago Journey have recalls?

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