2025 Winnebago Ekko Problems

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)

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 in October 2025 and formally reported to La Mesa RV, my authorized Winnebago warranty service center, beginning in November 2025. The vehicle has been returned to service a total of five (5) times for this identical complaint. Individual components have been replaced (door open reed switch, wiring for switch, and control board), but the failure has recurred following each repair. To date, no repair attempt has resolved the root cause, and the behavior continues creating a safately concern for this vehicle, other vehicles on the road, and pedestrians. Safety Consequences: The deployed steps extend beyond the vehicle's body profile, creating a physical road hazard capable of striking curbs, guardrails, adjacent vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians at speed. At highway speeds, a deployed step represents a significant aerodynamic and structural load not intended by the manufacturer, risking step detachment and road hazard. The driver has no reliable warning that deployment has occurred, meaning the hazard may go undetected for an extended period while driving. Other motorists and pedestrians cannot anticipate or predict the presence of an extended step on an otherwise moving vehicle. Component / System Involved: Lippert Kwikee electric side step system, including the step control module, door trigger switches, and retraction motor assemblies. Wiring should include an ignition interlock preventing deployment while in gear.

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 that it swaps one safety defect (leaking valve stem) for another (improperly inflated tires). Proper remedies for this issue are either: (1) redesigned valve stem that allows for proper tire inflation, or (2) replacement wheels that have a proper dually valve stem setup.

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. Mercedes will not allow anyone else to examine the vehicle, and they have not responded to my emails. I am requesting an independent inspection, as I am concerned Mercedes may seek to avoid accepting liability. Can anyone help with that? I am not sure what to do.

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)

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 the passenger side failed. No warning. A side wall blow out (see photos). We were able to pull into a gas station in Williston VT. Tire technician from local Town Fair Tire changed the tire to the spare and confirmed an unusual side wall blow out as pictured. All tires on this motorhome are the original and identical tires, with the exception of the driver's side rear outside dual tire which was replaced with an identical tire after the failure I reported in April of this year (VOQ#11657901). There were no warning sounds or TPMS signals before this most recent failure or the earlier one in April 2024.

2025 Winnebago Ekko with 3600 miles. Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme 215/85 R16 on driver's front shredded for no apparent reason. Fortunately no accident.

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 in October 2025 and formally reported to La Mesa RV, my authorized Winnebago warranty service center, beginning in November 2025. The vehicle has been returned to service a total of five (5) times for this identical complaint. Individual components have been replaced (door open reed switch, wiring for switch, and control board), but the failure has recurred following each repair. To date, no repair attempt has resolved the root cause, and the behavior continues creating a safately concern for this vehicle, other vehicles on the road, and pedestrians. Safety Consequences: The deployed steps extend beyond the vehicle's body profile, creating a physical road hazard capable of striking curbs, guardrails, adjacent vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians at speed. At highway speeds, a deployed step represents a significant aerodynamic and structural load not intended by the manufacturer, risking step detachment and road hazard. The driver has no reliable warning that deployment has occurred, meaning the hazard may go undetected for an extended period while driving. Other motorists and pedestrians cannot anticipate or predict the presence of an extended step on an otherwise moving vehicle. Component / System Involved: Lippert Kwikee electric side step system, including the step control module, door trigger switches, and retraction motor assemblies. Wiring should include an ignition interlock preventing deployment while in gear.

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)