Recall 11V520 covers 237 2011 Winnebago Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, and Meridian vehicles. Exhaust clamp failure risks fire. Free dealer repair once available.
Winnebago is recalling 237 2011 Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, and Meridian vehicles because a V-band clamp T-bolt in the diesel exhaust system can fracture. If the clamp loosens, hot exhaust gases can vent before the tailpipe and create a fire risk; the Winnebago dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
On the 2011 Winnebago Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, and Meridian, the V-band clamp assembly holds sections of the exhaust aftertreatment system together. That system includes the diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter, often called the DOC/DPF, which help treat diesel exhaust before it leaves the vehicle.
The clamp uses a T-bolt to tighten around the inlet and outlet cone sections attached to the DOC/DPF housing. In this recall, that T-bolt can fracture when it is under stress or load. Once the bolt fails, the clamp loosens and the cone section attached to the housing can disconnect.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall filing does not name a dashboard message, noise, or other owner-noticeable symptom before the clamp assembly fails.
Who's affected?
Covers five Winnebago model lines from the 2011 model year, all under the engine and engine cooling component.
| 2011 Winnebago Tour | Engine and engine cooling |
|---|---|
| 2011 Winnebago Journey | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Winnebago Ellipse | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Winnebago Commercial Vehicle | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2011 Winnebago Meridian | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 237 |
A matching 2011 Winnebago model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific motorhome is included.
What's the safety risk?
Disconnected exhaust inlet or outlet sections let hot exhaust gases vent before the tailpipe, creating a fire risk. If both clamps fail, the DOC/DPF housing can detach and become a road hazard. Schedule recall service when Winnebago has the remedy ready. Repair will be free at any franchised Winnebago dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Winnebago Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, or Meridian is included in this recall.
- Confirm the current repair status with a franchised Winnebago dealer before scheduling; the filing did not list a final dealer remedy plan.
- Ask the dealer how Winnebago is handling the DOC/DPF V-band clamp issue, where a fractured T-bolt lets hot exhaust vent before the tailpipe.
- Reference recall number 11V520 when you call the dealer or Winnebago customer service.
- Avoid parking near dry grass, fuel, or other combustible material until the exhaust clamp issue is inspected or repaired.
What happens at the repair
Winnebago is working with Daimler Trucks North America and Cummins to identify and notify owners, but the recall filing does not include a final remedy plan. The known issue is the V-band clamp assembly at the DOC/DPF. The T-bolt can fracture, loosen the clamp, and allow the inlet or outlet cone section to disconnect. Once the final dealer repair is available, a Winnebago technician will handle the recall work free of charge. The filing does not give a repair time or a reimbursement program.
Timeline
| October 10, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
|---|---|
| October 20, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V520?
Recall 11V520 covers 237 2011 Winnebago Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, and Meridian motor homes and commercial vehicles with a V-band clamp T-bolt that can fracture. If the clamp loosens, hot exhaust gases can escape near the DOC/DPF housing, creating fire risk.
What should I do if my 2011 Winnebago Tour, Journey, Ellipse, Commercial Vehicle, or Meridian is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V520. If it is, contact a franchised Winnebago dealer and reference recall number 11V520. Winnebago also listed Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 for owner contact on this campaign.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost to owners. This filing said Winnebago was working with Daimler Trucks North America and Cummins on owner notification, but the filed remedy text did not include a final repair plan.
What is the safety risk in recall 11V520?
The safety risk is fire and road debris. If the inlet or outlet sections disconnect from the DOC/DPF housing, hot exhaust gases can vent before the tailpipe and create combustion risk. If both clamps fail, the housing can detach and become a road hazard.
What if I bought the Winnebago vehicle used?
The recall still follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2011 Winnebago is included, then contact a franchised Winnebago dealer with recall number 11V520. Used ownership does not remove the no-cost recall repair requirement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V520000 |
|---|---|
| Winnebago customer service | 1-812-377-5000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V520 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V520000 |
Source documents
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →