WINNEBAGO Complaints

Hankook Dynapro HT 205/75R16C We found out when we were having the oil changed. Both front tires have steel fibers showing on 14,882 miles. Lucky we weren't on the highway. I would never have guessed that 1.5 year old tires would be this worn. Properly inflated, by the way.

1The stock Balmar alternator failed on or around [XXX]. That alternator was replaced on or about November 22, 2022 by a certified Winnebago service center in Connecticut. 2The second failed on or about [XXX] following Service Campaign 7303 work performed at Forest City. It was replaced under the 174 recall on or about February 7, 2024 at a certified Winnebago service center in Las Vegas.  3The third alternator failed on or about [XXX]. 4The fourth was installed October 7, 2024 by a certified Winnebago service center in New Jersey. 5. The fourth alternator failed sometime between [XXX] and [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2024 Winnebago Rebel Motorhome built on a 2023 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 Chassis. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the secondary alternator was making an abnormal whining sound. While depressing the accelerator pedal, the sound increased. The RPM decreased. The battery was at 5 amps. While driving, the whining noise continued. The charge rate decreased. The charging battery was at negative 110 AMPS. There was smoke detected from the battery. The wires were melted on the alternator. The contact turned off the battery. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who replaced the battery and alternator. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 11,000.

The secondary alternator of our 2023 Winnebago Revel failed, was smoking heavily, and was seconds away from catching fire had I not stood by with a fire extinguishers. I noticed the issue after driving for about an hour and only noticed smoke when I had pulled into a Home Depot to park. I only noticed the smoke when I had parked (not while underway). This is a well known problem with Winnebago Revels, with many owners reporting (on Facebook Winnebago Revel 4x4 page) these Balmar 170 alternators catching fire and failing. This is an extreme fire danger and life safety issue. My safety was at risk because the alternator was in thermal runaway and was about to catch fire. I may not have noticed the issue had I been underway. The problem is well known by our dealer (Camping World, Marysville, WA) and Winnebago. I have since had them address the problem, but their solution and current procedure on this is to put back in the exact same Balmar 170 alternator! Other Revel owners are reporting this second install is also failing in many cases. No inspection to date other than that of the dealer. No warnings were given by the vehicle of the problem.

The window for the coach door becomes loose and can fall off. Have to tape window in place.

Subject: Formal Complaint: Safety Issues with Winnebago Vehicle Dear [NTSB Representative], I am submitting a formal complaint regarding multiple safety-related defects with my Winnebago vehicle that have caused significant risk and inconvenience: 1.Electrical Fire: The galley caught fire due to rigid residential wiring rubbing against a plumbing clamp. The wire shorted, grounded out, and caused a fire before the breaker tripped, filling the cab with smoke. 2.While driving in cold mountain pass conditions, the sliding door window blew out, forcing me to pull over grab the window and had to pull over repeatedly to duct tape the window to try to secure it. This is a known issue caused by the window shade hitting the galley during operation. i’m currently in Arizona and unable to drive the van until the window is replaced. Because of not having a window I’m unable to drive back to Seattle so I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family because I’m able to drive it. Ive been in a friend’s driveway for over a month, I requested the 2025 because-parts because they have fixed the problem. They stated there is no difference between the 25 and 22. I said they’re definitely is a difference. You removed the window shades and added different screws and brackets. Then said they don’t have 25 window or parts. I’m stuck in Arizona. Unable to drive my van home until it’s fixed multiple emails multiple phone calls I keep getting pushed to a different person or different division. 3.Awning Deployment: The awning deployed while driving, which could have caused a serious accident. I was able to pull over and disable it by removing the fuse. 4.Alternator Failure: The alternator failed, requiring months of communication for replacement. Fixed after 5 months of back and forth however, there is wiring that is going to need rerouted or protected I respectfully request an investigation into these safety concerns to prevent further risks to myself and other owners.

Since I have picked up my Winnebago Ekko (motorhome) on [XXX] from Lichtsinn RV in Forest City, Iowa (1 mile from the factory) it has had numerous electrical fires in the kitchen and also has had no fewer than the 4 separate strains of mold growing throughout the motorhome as evidenced by the results of the mold test I did last spring. Although I have notified Winnebago Customer Care, Winnebago's CEO (Michael Happe), Lichtsinn RV and the Iowa Attorney General's office (where I have an open investigation for also being forced to pay an additional $25,000+ at the closing table or walk away after two years of waiting when I was told it would be six months) last spring when I emailed them the results, there has been NO response yet from anyone at Winnebago or Lichtsinn RV regarding these issues. I have made a video on YouTube showing the fire and mold / mold test results that will show what has been happening in my RV for most of the time I've owned it: [XXX] Finally, I should also note that I am [XXX] and am covered by the ADA Act; I can furnish proof. Because most of my health problems stem from an [XXX], the fact that Winnebago and Lichtsinn RV have left me in such a bad position with the mold in my Ekko is completely unacceptable to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power wheelchair door only works sporadically. It has been in the shop multiple times and they can’t seem to fix it. I have been locked in multiple times. Winnebago is aware that there is a manufacturing flaw but can’t seem to remedy it.

Second Balmar alternator failure - this failure occurred after the recall was performed for this same issue by Winnebago at their factory. Originally purchased Sept 2022, first Balmar alternator replaced Sept 2023 along with the recall 174 being accomplished at the factory. Second failure occurred Dec 2024 after 17k miles since the recall was accomplished. This appears to be a continuing issue as many other Ekko owners have reported multiple Balmar alternator failures. Symptoms prior to the failure was erratic charging and then subsequent tripping of the 250 Amp breaker. I was unable to restore charging and disconnected the alternator at the controller to prevent any additional issues.

Short Answer: Winnebago has not conformed to its obligations with respect to NHTSA Safety Recall # 24V-541 (Winnebago # 186). Our 2025 EKKO 23B was within the scope of NHTSA Safety Recall # 24V-541 (Winnebago # 186). Winnebago did not offer to us a remedy -- other than to disable for an indeterminate length of time the solar charging system to which the recall applies -- within a reasonable time of their discovery and announcement of the recall. Accordingly, we paid for a remedial installation that, in the opinion of the expert in solar charging systems who made the installation, rendered the previously unsafe system safe for use. When Winnebago finally published its proposed remedy, we timely exercised our option to seek reimbursement for the work we'd already commissioned to have the problem cured. Winnebago assigned "case number" 00* * * * 27 to our request. On November 21, 2024, we submitted detailed information to Winnebago in support of our request. On December 17, 2024, Winnebago's customer service representative informed us that Winnebago would not reimburse us for any part of the expenses we had incurred to cure the safety issues addressed in the this recall. To the best of our knowledge, Winnebago denied our request without having physically inspected the replacement system that we installed. We have attached to this complaint most of the documents that we provided to Winnebago by email and hard copy on 11/21/2024. We believe that Winnebago is factually and legally obligated to reimburse us to the extent of our 11/21/2024 request. We assert that Winnebago is not in compliance with its obligations to NHTSA and to us. We object to Winnebago's denial of our request and respectfully suggest that the NHTSA open an investigation into the adequacy of Winnebago's obligations with respect to NHTSA Safety Recall # 24V-541 (Winnebago # 186).