The contact owns a 2023 Winnebago Ekko RV built on a 2023 Ford Transit chassis. The contact stated that the front passenger door failed to remain locked. The dealer was contacted and replaced the door actuator; however, the failure recurred. The contact expressed concern the vehicle was hacked. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The worst 2023 Winnebago Ekko problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical18
- Driver assistance9
- Engine3
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2023 Winnebago Ekko
Recalls 7
Equipment: electrical: accessory generator
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2022-2027 Ekko motorhomes. The touchscreen display may register unintended or phantom inputs and turn on the generator without the operator's knowledge.
- Risk
- People in an enclosed space, such as a garage, with a running generator may be at an increased risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside until the repair has been performed. Winnebago will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 205.
Recall number 26V257000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical: accessory generator: solar panel
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Ekko motorhomes. The solar charging system was incorrectly designed without sufficient over-current protection, which can allow the circuit to overheat and melt the fuse.
- Risk
- A melted fuse increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the solar controller fuse and components, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑3535. Winnebago's number for this recall is 186.
Recall number 24V541000 · Recall details
Lane departure: blind spot detection
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ekko motorhomes. The blind spot monitoring system may fail without warning to the driver.
- Risk
- Without a functioning blind spot monitoring system, the driver may be unaware of a vehicle in their blind spot, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new blind spot monitoring system, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885.
Recall number 24V024000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Travato, 2021-2023 Solis, and 2022-2023 Ekko motorhomes, equipped with certain Cummins Onan QG 2800i, and Onan QG 2800i EVAP generator sets. The fuel hose between the fuel filter and Injection Pump Module (IPM) may not be properly secured, which can cause a gas leak.
- Risk
- A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel hose and clamps, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885.
Recall number 23V307000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ekko motorhomes. The 12-Volt charging system may have improperly routed wires and loose electrical connections, which can overload the electrical circuits and cause damage to electrical components, including the auxiliary alternator.
- Risk
- Overloaded electrical circuits that damage components increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and correct the wire routing and electrical connections, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885. Winnebago's number for this recall is 174.
Recall number 23V234000 · Recall details
Equipment: appliance: oven/stove/cooktop
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Solis, 2021-2023 Travato, and 2022-2023 Ekko motorhomes, equipped with certain Suburban Manufacturing Company (Suburban) SDS2 2-Burner Drop-in Cooktops with part number 3032AST. The internal aluminum burner tubes that connect to the gas valves may fracture and cause a gas leak.
- Risk
- A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Winnebago will work with Suburban to repair the cooktop, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885.
Recall number 23V049000 · Recall details
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: lpg systems: lines and fittings
- What is wrong
- Winnebago Industries, Inc. (Winnebago) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ekko vehicles. The quick disconnect fittings in the LP gas system may be cracked, causing a gas leak.
- Risk
- A gas leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the quick disconnect fittings, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2022. Owners may contact Winnebago customer service at 1‑641‑585‑6939 or 1‑800‑537‑1885.
Recall number 22V313000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2023 Winnebago Ekko 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This Technical Service Bulletin provides guidance for replacing or retrofitting the alternator on certain...
- Service Campaign sent to dealers and customers advising of the need to adjust the alternator output...
- Service Bulletin to all Winnebago dealers
- Service Bulletin sent to dealers advising of the required legal verbiage each RO should document.
- Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers
- Service Campaign sent to dealers and owners advising of an update to the blind spot monitoring system.
- Service Bulleting sent to all Winnebago dealers
- Service Bulletin sent to all Winnebago dealers
- Service Bulletin sent to all dealers
What 2023 Winnebago Ekko owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 never returned. I used the Lithionics app to confirm that the batteries were not being charged while the engine was idling.
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 burning alternator, and see the smoke coming out of the engine before the fire grew too large. We were able to extinguish the fire and keep the damage limited to the Balmar alternator. Had we gotten out onto Highway 17, ours and others lives could have been severely impacted, as we likely would not have noticed nor been able to deal with the fire as quickly. We have unplugged the 4-pin wire plug from the Balmar regulator. Once we restarted the engine, a piece of plastic came flying out, and then everything started spinning freely. We were able to drive home. We have reported the fire to Winnebago and are awaiting communication as to next steps. We have video footage of the fire and vehicle is available for inspection.
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 completed by dealer August 18, 2025
Reference the federal safety agency 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 Balmar alternator failures including some that have caught on fire. I was aware of the early warning signs of problems (high pitched whine that varies with RPM's and alternator output that drops to near zero) and proactively unplugged/disconnected the alternator before potentially serious consequences arose. My situation, and those of other Ekko owners clearly shows there is a design and/or quality issue that requires corrective action.
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.
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. I have disconnected the alternator to prevent any safety issues such as over heating. Others will same vehicle have reported safety issues such as overheating and potential fire. I have reported this to Winnebago customer service. But I have not had the vehicle yet inspected by Winnebago or other service center, but have an appointment with Winnebago factory service on May 12, 2025.
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.
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)
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.
Compare the 2023 Winnebago Ekko
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Questions about the 2023 Winnebago Ekko
Is the 2023 Winnebago Ekko reliable?
Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2023 Winnebago Ekko, close to a typical Ekko model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2023 Winnebago Ekko?
Electrical system, with 18 complaints. Next is driver assistance (9).
How many recalls does the 2023 Winnebago Ekko have?
7 recalls, covering equipment, lane departure and fuel system, gasoline.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Winnebago Ekko electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 23V234000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Winnebago Ekko have the most electrical problems?
The Winnebago Ekko model years with the most electrical complaints are 2022 (28 complaints), 2023 (18 complaints) and 2024 (13 complaints).
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