2022 Winnebago Ekko

The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago Ekko RV built on a 2021 Ford Transit Chassis. The contact stated that the Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system had stopped functioning. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the RV, the RV made abnormal whining sounds and there was a strong burning odor inside the cabin of the RV. The contact stated that she determined that the secondary alternator had failed after investigating the issue online. The contact stated that she opened the hood and disconnected the secondary alternator by disconnecting all the alternator pins from the regulator. The contact stated that the A/C foam insulation close to the alternator had melted and was burned. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V234000 (Electrical System), that the contact related to the failure; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and scheduled an appointment with the dealer for November. The dealer was notified of the failure. The RV was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Ekko Winnebago RV built on a 2021 Ford Transit Chassis. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V234000 (Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

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

The blind spot monitors on the Ekko suddenly failed. The system provides no warning, any longer, of approaching, or passing vehicles. I belong to an Ekko users group and have found from other owners that this is a common problem with these vehicles. The BSM's suddenly cease to operate and continue to break down, even after being "fixed" by dealers.

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.

Blind Spot Monitor stopped working after driving in the rain. The warranty dealer said that the rear sensors 'went out' because of the moisture. Currently still waiting for repairs. Driving an RV without a BSM is more difficult. We had to install a full time, rear view camera, to supplement the non working BSM. There were no other warnings before the system went out. However I'm are aware of many other Winnebago Ekkos with similar problems from reading about the failures on Facebook owners groups. May have been repaired multiple times Our '22 Winnebago Ekko Serial number is 106112170105