High Severity Issue
This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.
This Problem Across All Years
Brand new 2025 Winnebago Ekko after only 6,000 miles... The Winnebago installed Balmar Alternator Started Burning & Smoking rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive.
Brand new 2025 Winnebago Ekko after only 6,000 miles... The Winnebago installed Balmar Alternator Started Burning & Smoking rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive.
On [XXX] while driving my 2025 Winnebago Ekko 23B at elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, the vehicle repeatedly lost engine power and stalled under specific conditions, creating a significant safety hazard. The issue occurred when the house batteries were below 100% charge, the engine was at idle or low RPM (below 1,250), and the secondary alternator began charging the Lithionics battery system, causing RPMs to drop below 500, complete loss of propulsion (unable to move forward or reverse), and occasional activation of the check engine light with codes P0506, P3002E6, and P30059B. This happened four times, including twice when attempting to pull out from stops, which could have resulted in a collision if traffic had been present—imagine suddenly stalling in an intersection with family aboard. The problem resolved at lower elevations (below 2,000 feet) or when maintaining higher RPMs before charging initiated, but it was reproducible every time the conditions were met at altitude. Despite diagnostics at a Mercedes-Benz dealership , where systems were cleared and no faults found (suspecting the Winnebago-installed secondary alternator), and repairs at the Winnebago Factory Service Center in Forest City, IA , where the Wakespeed regulator was unnecessarily replaced and the issue blamed on Mercedes (suggesting an unsubstantiated "learning mode" at elevation), the root cause remains unaddressed. This defect, reported by multiple other Ekko owners in online forums and directly to Winnebago, violates Mercedes upfitting guidelines against drawing alternator power below 1,200 RPM and poses an ongoing risk of sudden power loss in traffic or on highways. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On [XXX] while driving my 2025 Winnebago Ekko 23B at elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet, the vehicle repeatedly lost engine power and stalled under specific conditions, creating a significant safety hazard. The issue occurred when the house batteries were below 100% charge, the engine was at idle or low RPM (below 1,250), and the secondary alternator began charging the Lithionics battery system, causing RPMs to drop below 500, complete loss of propulsion (unable to move forward or reverse), and occasional activation of the check engine light with codes P0506, P3002E6, and P30059B. This happened four times, including twice when attempting to pull out from stops, which could have resulted in a collision if traffic had been present—imagine suddenly stalling in an intersection with family aboard. The problem resolved at lower elevations (below 2,000 feet) or when maintaining higher RPMs before charging initiated, but it was reproducible every time the conditions were met at altitude. Despite diagnostics at a Mercedes-Benz dealership , where systems were cleared and no faults found (suspecting the Winnebago-installed secondary alternator), and repairs at the Winnebago Factory Service Center in Forest City, IA , where the Wakespeed regulator was unnecessarily replaced and the issue blamed on Mercedes (suggesting an unsubstantiated "learning mode" at elevation), the root cause remains unaddressed. This defect, reported by multiple other Ekko owners in online forums and directly to Winnebago, violates Mercedes upfitting guidelines against drawing alternator power below 1,200 RPM and poses an ongoing risk of sudden power loss in traffic or on highways. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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).
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).
A fuse between the solar panels and solar controller melted and caused it to flame up. The incident could have caused a major fire. The problem has occurred on other units with various other owners. No. Winnebago is aware of the incident but we have not heard anything from them. There were no indications that this was going to happen.
The solar panels on this RV are wired to the solar controller through a 30amp fuse. The fuse holder gets extremely hot during peak solar charging in the afternoon. In order to inspect the 30amp fuse I removed it and it appears to be partially burnt. I am concerned about the heat that is generated at this fuse and fuse holder and I am aware of other Winnebago Ekkos reporting similar findings. I will leave the fuse removed until further notice from Winnebago.
A fuse between the solar panels and solar controller melted and caused it to flame up. The incident could have caused a major fire. The problem has occurred on other units with various other owners. No. Winnebago is aware of the incident but we have not heard anything from them. There were no indications that this was going to happen.
The solar panels on this RV are wired to the solar controller through a 30amp fuse. The fuse holder gets extremely hot during peak solar charging in the afternoon. In order to inspect the 30amp fuse I removed it and it appears to be partially burnt. I am concerned about the heat that is generated at this fuse and fuse holder and I am aware of other Winnebago Ekkos reporting similar findings. I will leave the fuse removed until further notice from Winnebago.
the fuse behind the Zamp solar controller on our 25 Ekko 23B melted and caused a fire inside the cabinet above the fridge. This resulted in significant damage to the solar controller, wires and the cabinet itself. Not to mention the strong and persistent smoke smell inside the vehicle.
the fuse behind the Zamp solar controller on our 25 Ekko 23B melted and caused a fire inside the cabinet above the fridge. This resulted in significant damage to the solar controller, wires and the cabinet itself. Not to mention the strong and persistent smoke smell inside the vehicle.
The 30amp electrical fuse connecting the solar panels to the Zamp 40amp controller melted. Lichtsinn Motors, the dealer, was notified and sent pictures of melted fuse. CoachNet technical support was also called, spoke with technician and pictures of melted fuse sent. Detailed message left with Winnebago. Customer service agent said Sept 13th was the notification date for the recall however they have no solution yet.
The 30amp electrical fuse connecting the solar panels to the Zamp 40amp controller melted. Lichtsinn Motors, the dealer, was notified and sent pictures of melted fuse. CoachNet technical support was also called, spoke with technician and pictures of melted fuse sent. Detailed message left with Winnebago. Customer service agent said Sept 13th was the notification date for the recall however they have no solution yet.