Check a VIN

2003 Winnebago Journey problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Winnebago Journey is engine and cooling. It has 2.5 times the complaints of a typical Journey model year.

Typical year2.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
8
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2003 Winnebago Journey problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Tires
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Tires
    1

Recalls 4

EquipmentReported October 26, 2010 · 18,461 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 10V525000 · Recall details

EquipmentReported July 29, 2009 · 1,547 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 solution to slowly leak. If a leak occurs and the refrigerator continues to be operated after solution circulation has ceased the heat source could generate very high temperatures. At such high temperatures, the cooling unit could rupture.
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.

Recall number 09V300000 · Recall details

Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: lpg systems: tank assemblyReported March 4, 2004 · 5,143 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain motorhomes, the lp tank has stress on weld joints at the point where mounting brackets are welded to the tank.
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.

Recall number 04V114000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported January 15, 2003 · 114 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
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.

Recall number 03V026000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2003 Winnebago Journey

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Winnebago Journey 8

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

What 2003 Winnebago Journey owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Tires · 51,000 miles · ND

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.

Filed Dec 7, 2004 · Engine · 18,900 miles · MI · fire

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.

Filed Dec 7, 2004 · Engine · 18,900 miles · MI · fire

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.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · CA

Consumer received the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Oct 21, 2003 · Acceleration · 2,200 miles · CA

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.

Compare the 2003 Winnebago Journey

Other model years

1996199720002001200220032004200520062007201020112012201620172018

Questions about the 2003 Winnebago Journey

Is the 2003 Winnebago Journey reliable?

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2003 Winnebago Journey, 2.5 times a typical Journey model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Winnebago Journey?

Engine and cooling, with 2 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).

How many recalls does the 2003 Winnebago Journey have?

4 recalls, covering equipment and fuel system, gasoline.

Share your experience with the 2003 Winnebago Journey

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2003 Winnebago Journey?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN