NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 Winnebago Journey Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 Winnebago Journey has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Winnebago dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Winnebago Journey. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 Winnebago Journey owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Winnebago Journey, describing incidents dated June 20, 2002 to June 25, 2002.
Most-cited components
- Steering 1 complaint
- Structure 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #8021125 · Filed
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, SINCE PURCHASE WITH 4,300 MILES. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREIGHTLINER DEALERS NUMEROUS TIMES. 8 ALIGNMENTS WERE DONE, GEARBOX, DIFFERENTIAL AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM, WINNEBAGO INSISTS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. MR
ODI #8013852 · Filed
REAR WHEELS REFLECTOR CAME OFF DURING INSPECTION. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *YH
REFRIGERATORS/POSSIBLE FIRE/NORCOLD
NHTSA #10V525000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported October 26, 2010 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 18,461 vehicles
Owners notified December 15, 2010
Defect description
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.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
WINNEBAGO/REFRIGERATOR COOLING UNIT FIRE
NHTSA #02V276006 · Equipment — Recreational Vehicle/Trailer · NHTSA notice
Reported December 3, 2002 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC.
Potentially affected: 631 vehicles
Vehicles built August 1, 1997 – June 30, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
THE CONSEQUENCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
WINNEBAGO/LP LINE FASTENERS
NHTSA #01V260000 · Fuel System, Other — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice
Reported August 15, 2001 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 1,292 vehicles
Owners notified August 24, 2001 · Vehicles built April 28, 1999 – May 11, 2001 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TANK COULD FALL OFF, RESULTING IN A ROAD HAZARD OR A FIRE.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
WINNEBAGO/AM-SAFE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES
NHTSA #01V128004 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported April 30, 2001 · WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC.
Potentially affected: 4,370 vehicles
Owners notified May 25, 2001 · Vehicles built March 27, 2000 – September 15, 2000 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD OCCUR IF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT IS NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Winnebago Journey model years
Check your 1997 Winnebago Journey VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Winnebago Journey at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Winnebago VIN