2018 Winnebago Journey problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 4 recalls and 1 owner complaint on file for the 2018 Winnebago Journey. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 2 recalls
Recall 18V546000 (17/08/2018): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Winnebago Industries, Inc (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Winnebago Era, Travato, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Paseo, Via, Adventurer, Journey, Tour, and Grand Tour motorhomes. These vehicles have an auxiliary solar charging port circuit that is not fused.
Fix: Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will install an inline 15 amp fuse into the auxiliary solar charging port circuit, free of charge. Winnebago issued interim notifications to owners on December 4, 2018. The recall began June 5, 2019. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service 1-641-585-6939 or 1-800-537-1885.
Recall 17V736000 (20/11/2017): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Grand Tour and Journey motorhomes. The battery cables and hydraulic lines on these vehicles may not be properly secured, allowing them to contact the driveshaft or exhaust system, potentially resulting in an electrical short or hydraulic fluid leak.
Fix: Winnebago will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery cables and hydraulic lines, rerouting and securing them as necessary. Any damaged cables or lines will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535.
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
Other: 1 recall
Recall 17V782000 (07/12/2017): EQUIPMENT
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2018 Winnebago Era, Travato, Minnie Winnie, Fuse, View, Trend, Aspect, Brave, Vista, Sightseer, Adventurer, Forza, Journey, Tour, Revel, Paseo, Chalet, Access, and Intent motorhomes and Commercial vehicles, and 2013-2018 Itasca Spirit, Navion, Cambria, Tribute, Sunstar, Sunova, Suncruiser, Solei, Meridian, Elipse, Horizon, Reyo, and Via motorhomes. These vehicles are equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' fire extinguishers that may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https:/
Fix: Winnebago will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for replacement or aftermarket fire extinguishers, free of charge. The recall began on January 19, 2018. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1-641-585-3535, or Kidde customer service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Doors, windows, steps and lights: 1 recall
Recall 24V733000 (01/10/2024): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Tour, 2013-2018 Journey, 2014-2022 Forza, 2015-2016 Brave, 2015-2019 Grand Tour, 2015-2021 Vista, 2016-2018 Adventurer, Sightseer, 2016-2021 Commercial Vehicle, 2018-2021 Intent, Sunstar, 2018-2020 Horizon, Itasca 2013-2017 Ellipse, Meridian, 2014-2017 Solei, 2015-2016 Tribute, 2015-2018 Sunstar, 2016-2018 Suncruiser, and Sunova motorhomes. The turn signals may have a smaller than required luminous lens area. As such these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Fix: Dealers will replace the turn signals, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2026. Owners may contact Winnebago Customer Care at 1-800-537-1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 189.
What a tech checks: Mostly adjustments and wear: steps that stop halfway on a bad switch, doors out of alignment after a slide shifted, exterior lights with a corroded ground. Before you buy: Every door, lock, window and light.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
02/04/2023, WHEELS: In January 2022 Freightliner issued a recall# FL912A requesting that all Motorhomes from 2017 - 2023 have the rear inner tire valve stem be removed. What they didn’t tell you was by removing this valve stem it eliminated the Motorhome owners TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) which is a safety feature and also made the inflating/deflating of the inside rear tire nearly impossible for most RV owners. At the time
Looking at a 2018 Winnebago Journey?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.