2022 Winnebago Ekko

Winnebago factory installed Blind Spot Monitor System did not work since purchase, after local dealers failure to repair this and other defects, out of frustration we drove it 3000+ miles to the WGO factory repair center located in Forest City, IA. BSM was repair by WGO on invoice #02942R dated 3-13-23 under warranty. BSM module was replaced, 2A protective fuse installed and wiring connections corrected. 10 days later during return trip home BSM failed while driving in heavy snow. Contacted WGO factory service supervisor with failure details and was told we could either bring it back or take it to the local dealer again. Local dealer repaired per their repair order Doc #190571 dated 6-23-23. After being advised it was repaired we picked it up and it did not work from dealers lot. Emailed WGO supervisor, dealer service manager & service advisor. Local dealer has not responded as of 7-5-23, 10 days later. WGO supervisor responded to take it back and have the dealer work with our tech department. I had previously given the dealer all of the factory contact info I have and they are in-fact a WGO Flying W certified repair facility. This is a safety issue and a defective factory installed accessory that continues to be an unresolved issue. In researching I found on Facebook under the group- Winnebago Owners & Wannabes a 5-19-2022 BSM failure survey in which 105 owners responded the following- 30% No Problems, 29% Stopped working after driving on wet roads, 7% Stopped working after driving in snow/salt, 24% Never worked, 1% disconnected because of annoyance, 9% Combined, stopped working after other or works intermittently. I did not respond but would have been in the Never has worked section. This and all the online chatter would seem to indicate a high rate of units either not working at delivery or failing sometime after deliver. This is a Voyager System integrated into a Ford Transit chassis by Winnebago. I would like to see these systems correctly repaired

Blind Spot Monitor is unreliable and unsafe. Causes false sense of positional awareness when changing lanes. Hundreds of other owners have reported similar complaints on social media. Winnebago has fixed the problem by using a Ford-based system on 2023 models but has mostly ignored previously manufactured EKKOs other than to attempt repairs that fail over and over again.

This is allegedly related to the Balmar relay system installed by Winnebago in the Ford Transit van.It is currently at the dealer, Colonial Winnebago, in Millstone Twp., NJ. Dealer can be contacted for inspection. We began traveling at a 25 mph speed for about 2 miles when smoke began to flow from under the hood. We pulled over to inspect; 911 was called. Smoke and flames under the hood were visible and continued until the fire truck came and extinguished the fire. Our safety and the safety of others was put at risk as the unit did not display any warning signs on the dashboard, there was a fire and smoke under the hood, we were in a public parking lot, and the unit carries 2 20 lb. propane tanks. Problem was diagnosed by our local Ford dealer, who stated that this is a Winnebago issue, as this was a Winnebago specific modification to the Ford. Unit was not drivable and needed to be towed to Winnebago dealer for service. They know about this issue - and have known for some time - but have not yet released the recall. We do not know at this time when the unit can be repaired. I do not know who has inspected the vehicle other than the Ford dealer and Winnebago dealer. No other warning signs or symptoms before the incident occurred.

The Balmar charge controller for the coach lithium batteries failed. The controller is rated for temperatures up to 90 C (194 F). Based on Ekko forum discussions I suspected the controller, which is located in close proximity to the passenger side turbocharger was overheating. I fashioned an improvised heat shield between the turbocharger and controller and after driving in 74 F ambient conditions measured temperatures of 285 F on the heat shield and 185 F at the controller surface. I also added heat shielding to the controller wiring, which is also very close to the turbocharger. Clearly without owner-added heat shielding, (and even with during higher than 74 F ambient temperatures) the controller is far exceeding it's allowable temperature maximum.