Winnebago EKKO recalls by model year

8 October 2024 Winnebago Ekko owners are looking for clarification on NHTSA recall 23V-234. The number of owners who have experienced Balmar alternator failure after the recall work is growing. We are among them. A post-recall fire has also been reported (October 6 2024 in Washington State) Manufacturer's response to this situation has been, so far: 1) Replace the alternator at no charge 2) Replace the alternator at no charge, with a verbal warning that no more alternators will be furnished free of charge, directing owners to instead con…

Look up ODI 11618741 at NHTSA ↗

Secondary alternator made by Balmer Failed after recall repair “failure of WGO’s remedy of NHTSA recall 23V234000”

Look up ODI 11617605 at NHTSA ↗

We believe our Balmar (the second alternator that powers our Lithium batteries) failed and then created enough heat to either have a small fire or produce copious amounts of toxic smoke. This is a known problem with the Winnebago EKKOs. There has been one round of recalls for the Balmar re-wiring which we had done at the Winnebago Factory Center in Forest City, IA on November 21, 2023. We were in the parking lot at Whole Foods in Jackson, Wyoming when this happened. We opened the hood when we smelled the plastic burning smell and smoke wa…

Look up ODI 11618348 at NHTSA ↗

SUDDEN LOUD WHINE VARYING WITH ENGINE SPEED, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, TRACED TO SECONDARY BALMAR ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR WAS EXTREMELY HOT, WE SHUT ENGINE OFF AND ELECTRICALLY DISCONNECTED ALTERNATOR. WE KNEW TO DO THIS BECAUSE OTHERS HAVE POSTED THIS INFORMATION, SOME HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THIS WAS CLOSE TO COMBUSTING AS WELL. NO NOISE IS PRESENT WHEN ELECTRICALLY DISCONNECTED, BUT NOISE RESUMES IF CONNECTED AND LOAD PLACED ON ALTERNATOR. THIS WAS THE SUBJECT OF WINNEBAGO PRIOR RECALL 174 (WHICH WAS PERFORMED IN 2024). WE BELIEVE IT IS UNS…

Look up ODI 11628103 at NHTSA ↗

TIRE BLOW OUT AND TREAD SEPERATION AT 70 MPH. 35000 MILES. STARTLING EXPLOSION HARD TO CONTROL BUT MANAGED TO SLOW AND PULL OFF ROAD. HAS HAPPENED TO MANY EKKO OWNERS. NO WARNINGS, TIRES INSPECTED BEFORE TRIP WITH NO INDICATION OF ABNORMALITIES. $1400 IN DAMAGES TO VEHICLE FRONT END.

Look up ODI 11626291 at NHTSA ↗

The Winnebago factory installed secondary alternator (manufactured by Balmar) responsible for charging the batteries in my motorhome started to whine and overheat. Luckily the week prior, I had read about another EKKO owner experiencing the same symptoms before it created enough smoke that caused the driver to immediately pull off the road and extinguish the engine bay with a fire extinguisher. In an effort to avoid that, I disconnected the Balmer until it was able to be replaced. This original problem was supposed to be addressed in recall 174…

Look up ODI 11626738 at NHTSA ↗

The vehicle is a 2021 Ford Transit with a 2022 Winnebago Ekko RV. The incident occurred when I started the engine and noticed an unusual high pitch whine. When I opened the hood the Balmar unit was extremely hot with a strong burning smell. Since the Ekko models have had numerous reports of secondary alternator / Balmar malfunctions I knew enough to disable the alternator by unplugging the 4 pin connector on the Balmar 618 regulator before traveling any further. The following morning I plugged the Balmar unit back in place to see if the hig…

Look up ODI 11630850 at NHTSA ↗

The contact owns a 2023 Winnebago Ekko RV built on a 2022 Ford Transit Chassis. The contact stated that the RV blind spot monitoring system had become inoperable. The contact stated that the red light on the passenger's side and the driver's side of the windshield had failed to illuminate, and the alarm failed to sound while there was another vehicle in the blind spot. The RV was taken to an RV dealer, where the blind spot monitoring system was replaced; however, the failure recurred approximately 3 months later. The RV was taken to a second de…

Look up ODI 11629830 at NHTSA ↗

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 tr…

Look up ODI 11631649 at NHTSA ↗

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…

Look up ODI 11640521 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Look up ODI 11641153 at NHTSA ↗

The winnebago EKKO has a secondardy alternator (Balmer brand) that charges the coach Lithium battery. There is an existing Winnebago recall regarding this component , Winnebago #174 and I originally had the Balmer alternator fail in summer 2023 and it was repaired by Winnebago under the #174 recall. The Balmer alternator has now failed again as of January 2025, and is appearing to heat beyond normal. The symptom of this failure, is lack of charging of the battery during engine operation, as well as tripping of the main coach power breaker. …

Look up ODI 11643960 at NHTSA ↗

This is to report a failure after NHTSA campaign number 23V234000 was addressed by Winnebago through their campaign number 174. I had the fix performed by Winnebago at their factory service center about 20k miles ago and the alternator failed again with the exact same symptoms. This is my 5th alternator failure in 60,000 miles and 3 years.

Look up ODI 11650999 at NHTSA ↗

In October 2024 our Rv was brought to the dealership due to the RV making a high pitch noise while driving. The dealership concluded that it was the Balmar alternator that needed to be replaced. March 2025 the Solar recall was completed as well as the alternator replaced. After a 30minute drive smoke was coming from underneath the hood and the alternator caught on fire. Luckily nobody was hurt and the fire was contained only because we were on alert due to so many other Ekko owners having the same problem!

Look up ODI 11648395 at NHTSA ↗

Tire sidewall separated from the rim without any incident trauma. There have been a number of reports of Dynapro AT2 tire failures on Winnebago EKKO. The temperature of the tire was alerted to be high just before the failure. I was able to be parked immediately upon that TPMs warning so an accident was avoided. The tire is a Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme 215/85R/16. All tires were properly inflated and recorded correct PSI and temperatures on my TPMS before driving the 100 miles before the tire failure occurred. Outside temperatures were in t…

Look up ODI 11657901 at NHTSA ↗

Alternator failing repeatedly due to overheating

Look up ODI 11664523 at NHTSA ↗

Blind spot monitoring system has failed again after being replaced on a previous winnebago ekko recall. This safety feature no longer available for use No warning messages or symptoms prior to the failure

Look up ODI 11671666 at NHTSA ↗

The front driver side tire (Hankook Dynapro HT 205/75R16) on our RV suddenly caused a wobbly ride while driving. Upon close inspection we noticed a bulge which had formed on the tread of the tire. We then noticed a large part of the side wall and tread to start separating on the inside of the tire. A technician at the tire store advised us to replace the tire immediately.

Look up ODI 11671934 at NHTSA ↗

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 lig…

Look up ODI 11675984 at NHTSA ↗

While driving the RV at highway speeds, I noticed a lot of vibration and shaking. I pulled into a tire store to have the tires balanced. They found the left front tire (hankook dynapro ht 205/75/r16) with tread separation. I had it replaced with the spare. I had 27,400 miles on the tire with 7 32nds of tread left.

Look up ODI 11678087 at NHTSA ↗

SUMMARY: Propane leaks from outside LP hose when factory zip-tie failed resulting in LP hose detached and damaged from rubbing against the tire. 2022 Winnebago EKKO. DETAILS: RV has a LP hose that routes above the passenger side rear tires from the propane tanks to other locations of the RV. This hose was held back from the rear tire at two locations each with a thin metal tab and a single plastic zip-tie. One of the zip-tie failed, resulting in the LP hose rubbing on the tire when driving. The rubbing made a hole on the hose and propane l…

Look up ODI 11687962 at NHTSA ↗

Upon return from vacation, the Onan generator was found to be running. It had self started and ran for 80 hours while we were gone using about 12 gal fuel. The generator was NOT on when we left 12 days prior. There was no evidence of bugs in the RV coach that could have contacted the touch screen to start the unit. This is a Winnebago Ekko, Ford Transit body, 2024 purchased Jan 2024.

Look up ODI 11685159 at NHTSA ↗

NOTE: The VIN shows as a 4x2 Sprinter, but this vehicle is a 4x4. While driving, the engine suddenly caught fire. Within one minute, flames approximately 10 feet high were coming from the motor. This is the second Winnebago Ekko reported to catch fire in such a dramatic way. One fire extinguisher was not enough to put out the blaze. The fire was extremely intense and caused catastrophic damage. The vehicle is currently at Mercedes awaiting inspection. However, more than three weeks have passed and the inspection has not yet been scheduled. M…

Look up ODI 11684494 at NHTSA ↗

October 10, 2025. The vehicle is a 2022 Winnebago EKKO RV on a 2021 Ford Transit with 49,000 miles. The incident occurred after driving the vehicle for about 5 minutes with outside temperatures around 50 degrees Fahrenheit and noticed an unusual high pitch whine. When I opened the hood the Balmar MC-618 Alternator unit was extremely hot, smoking, and had a strong burning smell. Since the EKKO models have had numerous reports of secondary alternator/Balmar malfunctions I knew enough to disable the alternator by unplugging the 4 pin connector on …

Look up ODI 11692854 at NHTSA ↗

Tires on this Winnebago EKKO 23B 2025 model year, purchased in April 2024 are the original tires, never removed or repaired. These tires are Hankook Dynapro AT2X all terrain tires, size LT215/85R/16. These tires have only 10,600 miles and from the photos you can see the tread is in excellent condition. The tires have a TPMS that showed accurrate recommended PSI before our trip from New Hampshire. Road conditions were clear, temperature in the mid-70s on Saturday, October 4th. We had traveled only 117 miles when the rear outside dual tire on t…

Look up ODI 11692210 at NHTSA ↗

Brand new 2025 Winnebago Ekko after only 6,000 miles... The Winnebago installed Balmar Alternator Started Burning & Smoking rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive.

Look up ODI 11693325 at NHTSA ↗

The Balmar alternator installed on our RV, which provides electrical power to charge the coach battery started a noticeable whine at idle, it stopped providing a charge to the coach battery, and upon further inspection, after opening the hood, we noticed a faint burning electrical smell. To confirm that the Balmar alternator was failing, I checked its electrical output to the battery, and it was not charging. I then proceeded to unplug the regulator for the alternator to see if the whine and smell were still present. They were not. Since …

Look up ODI 11697004 at NHTSA ↗

There is a Balmar alternator installed on my Winnebago EKKOs that failed by smoking and burning. Winnebago replaced it with the same piece of equipment and it too has failed. They will again replace with another Balmar putting me at risk of fire and failure. This is totally unacceptable! Please help all us EKKO owners force Winnebago to solve this with a safe solution. Some owners have had 6 Balmars replaced! This is a known problem that is not being resolved.

Look up ODI 11697235 at NHTSA ↗

Reference NHTSA Safety Recall 23V-234 Just experience failure of second Balmar alternator at about 26,000 miles. Replacement of first failure was done in conjunction of above referenced safefy recall. Work was performed in March of 2024. Subsequent to the above referenced recall Winnebago issued a Service Campaign (75-09) to derate (adjust/lower alternator output settings)in order to reduce the risk of overloading the alternator. The service campaign work was completed in June 2025. Numerous other Ekko owners have experience multiple …

Look up ODI 11698603 at NHTSA ↗

The 2024 Winnebago Ekko Ford Transit base includes standard a second alternator in the engine bay manufactured by Balmer and installed by Winnebago to charge the house batteries, in this case two 320amp batteries manufactured by Lithionics. A service recall was completed by Winnebago Authorized Dealer in 6/2025 to reduce the charge capacity based on prior failures and fires in the alternator. Our vehicle has 26,000 miles and have had no indication of failure. After an 80 mile drive, we smelled burning electrics and smoke came from under the…

Look up ODI 11702351 at NHTSA ↗

The second alternator, Balmer, used to charge the lithium batteries overheated and failed. It is located under the hood near the engine. It made a whining sound and failed to charge. I took it to Camping World in Marysville and they said the sound was “normal” and preformed the deregulation . A few months later, I brought it back and after insisting on inspection and calling Winnebago, they said it had failed. This is the second time it has failed. I am still waiting for a replacement as Winnebago says they are back ordered. I am now without a …

Look up ODI 11707214 at NHTSA ↗

Balmar alternator began smoking and emitting a burning smell, also began discharging the house batteries. This condition caused us to be disabled along the roadway and entailed crawling under the vehicle to disconnect the wiring from the alternator. Unable to get immediately repaired as no Balmar replacement parts were available from Winnebago. Repairs completed December 2024 by dealer. Additional Service Campaign 75-09 on Balmar alternators May 20, 2025 to cut charging rate by approximately 50% to prevent overloading. This service also com…

Look up ODI 11712318 at NHTSA ↗

The Winnebago Ekko recall 200 (dually valve stem replacement) is completely unreasonable. It has turned my rig from one where I could easily check and maintain my inner dually tire pressure to one that is extremely difficult and requires specialized tools (and extended tire inflation wand). As a result, it is practically impossible for me to maintain proper tire inflation and impossible for me to solve pressure issues on the road (since most gas stations don't have an extended inflation wand). The Winnebago fix violates 49 U.S.C. § 30120(a) in …

Look up ODI 11709467 at NHTSA ↗

We had reported on Sat, 3/21/26 to Winnebago that we noticed our Balmar alternator had stopped charging the battery the night before on Fri, 3/20/26 during a 2.5 hour trip to Sebastapol, CA. We drove to Santa Clara, recharged batteries with shore power and then drove to Santa Cruz, CA. This morning on Sun 3/22/26, our 2nd Balmar Alternator installed by NIRVC/Las Vegas in Mar-April 2024 under the 174 Recall caught on fire. Fortunately, we were idling in a parking lot before getting on the freeway, and could hear the whining noise, smell the burn…

Look up ODI 11726205 at NHTSA ↗

Driving down road started to smell smoke like burning electricity. Pulled over and opened hood. Secondary alternator smoking and inside vents there was red-hot burning of medal and near combustion. Belt running secondary alternator also split in two and denigrated. Very dangerous. I already preformed recall to lower amperage but his still happened. Many owners for same model Winnabago Ekko 22a with Balmar alternator have reported same.

Look up ODI 11726420 at NHTSA ↗

Generator started on its own sometime yesterday evening. The motor home was plugged into 30amp outlet and on shore power. Based on generator hours compared to an inspection I made last week it ran for approximately 15 hours before detection. (we had t-storms all yesterday and I never went outside). I tried to shut off via the touch screen controller inside the motor home and it was frozen and not responsive. I had to turn off the generator from the manual switch mounted on the unit. Once I reset the main breaker on the home and the controller r…

Look up ODI 11730822 at NHTSA ↗

Beginning in October 2025, the Kwikee electric retractable side steps on my Winnebago Ekko began deploying spontaneously while the vehicle was being driven at highway speeds. The steps are designed to retract automatically upon the vehicle being placed in gear and to deploy only when the vehicle side access door is opened via magnetic reed switch. The failure mode observed is the inverse of intended behavior: steps extend and retract outward while the vehicle is actively in motion, without any door opening event. The issue was first documented …

Look up ODI 11732464 at NHTSA ↗

1. An ATP connector on a solar charging system experienced a high resistance event and started a smoldering fire. It melted the connector and about 24" of 10 gauge wiring. It also melted the fiberglass roof material under the connector. The event was observed on Sunday morning, April 19, 2026 at approximately 9:30 am. It occurred while parked in our driveway. We disconnected the solar panel that was feeding this wire to remove the resistance to the system and stop the damage from spreading. 2. Had we not seen the smoke, a major fire could…

Look up ODI 11737377 at NHTSA ↗

I am the owner of a 2022 Winnebago Ekko. My vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V-024 (Winnebago Campaign #181) regarding the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system. I am writing to request your guidance on how to proceed, as I am currently unable to obtain the required safety remedy. My local authorized dealer, has declined to open a repair order, stating that their internal system marks the recall as 'closed' due to a previous service campaign (74-05). Despite providing them with the official NHTSA Dealer Notification for Campaign #181, which cl…

Look up ODI 11745378 at NHTSA ↗

After starting the vehicle I noticed an unusual whine. After a few seconds of idling I noticed that it smelled like something was on fire. I turned off the vehicle and began looking for smoke. I did not find it. After a little research I discovered that it is a very well known failure that the Balmar alternator on Winnebago EKKOs fails catastrophically, sometimes catching on fire. I followed instructions to disable the Balmar. I let the vehicle cool completely. I restarted the vehicle and let it idle for a long while and the whine and the smell…

Look up ODI 11749007 at NHTSA ↗

Brakes went out while driving on 77n. In viginia. Once we were anle to get to the side of the road realized we were on fire. Ford dealership determined the fire burnt the brake lines boiling fluid pushing it back through master cylinder knocking out my brakes.

Look up ODI 11757112 at NHTSA ↗

Following recall repairs for NHTSA ID Number: 24V541000, melting wires were noticed coming out of the roof solar port. These are approximately 6” of 10 gauge wires taking current from the solar roof port to the upgraded wiring from the previous recall. This section of 10 gauge wiring is undersized for the peak electrical load.

Look up ODI 11763793 at NHTSA ↗