2022 Winnebago Revel Owner Complaints

Subject: Formal Complaint: Safety Issues with Winnebago Vehicle Dear [NTSB Representative], I am submitting a formal complaint regarding multiple safety-related defects with my Winnebago vehicle that have caused significant risk and inconvenience: 1.Electrical Fire: The galley caught fire due to rigid residential wiring rubbing against a plumbing clamp. The wire shorted, grounded out, and caused a fire before the breaker tripped, filling the cab with smoke. 2.While driving in cold mountain pass conditions, the sliding door window blew out, forcing me to pull over grab the window and had to pull over repeatedly to duct tape the window to try to secure it. This is a known issue caused by the window shade hitting the galley during operation. i’m currently in Arizona and unable to drive the van until the window is replaced. Because of not having a window I’m unable to drive back to Seattle so I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family because I’m able to drive it. Ive been in a friend’s driveway for over a month, I requested the 2025 because-parts because they have fixed the problem. They stated there is no difference between the 25 and 22. I said they’re definitely is a difference. You removed the window shades and added different screws and brackets. Then said they don’t have 25 window or parts. I’m stuck in Arizona. Unable to drive my van home until it’s fixed multiple emails multiple phone calls I keep getting pushed to a different person or different division. 3.Awning Deployment: The awning deployed while driving, which could have caused a serious accident. I was able to pull over and disable it by removing the fuse. 4.Alternator Failure: The alternator failed, requiring months of communication for replacement. Fixed after 5 months of back and forth however, there is wiring that is going to need rerouted or protected I respectfully request an investigation into these safety concerns to prevent further risks to myself and other owners.

NHTSA ID

11633224

Incident

Dec 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Winnebago Revel. The contact stated that while driving at approximately MPH 40 the Winnebago crashed into the rear of a second vehicle which caused two additional vehicles ahead to be rear-ended and a third vehicle to crash into the rear of the Winnebago. During the crash, the Winnebago sustained severe front-end damage but the air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ID

11576532

Incident

Mar 5, 2024

Mileage

20,000 mi

I had problem with the awning on my Winnebago Revel going in and out while moving and while parked, it never went out more than an inch or two. Awning button was not engaged nor was the mobile app. Awning did seem to work normal when switch was engaged. Because of my concern that the awning would engage while traveling I took it in for service March 21 2022. Tech checked wiring and gears and found nothing wrong. On September 21, 2022 awning self engaged while parked and deployed at great force. No one was in the vehicle at the time, it was fortunately parked at the time; however, we were close by and witnessed the force. Fortunately, no one or property was damaged. We called Carefree of Colorado, the manufactor for assistance. The awning had to be manually retracted, however the motor would not lock the awning into place and has had to be strapped to secure. The fuse was also removed so motor would not attempt to engage and extend the awning. Awning is available for inspection as I have been trying to get it repaired and have not been able to. Camping World ofAsheville inspected the awning, they suggested I return to my dealer for further assistance since the awning had prior issue. I have yet to hear from my dealer.

NHTSA ID

11497094

Incident

Sep 21, 2022

This is a Sprinter van finished by Winnebago into the 2022 Revel 44E SN 15219109. We have 1,500 miles on van and took delivery three weeks ago. Friday 9/17/21 While driving the van at highway speed in Massachusetts on I495, we detected an acrid burning smell and the van quickly filled with smoke. We were able to pull over, shut down the vehicle and open the doors. We found in the rear compartment where the lithium battery system is located a damaged/melted connection. It appears the bolt/nut connecting the wire from the alternator charging system wasn't tightened creating heat which burned away the rubber boot covering the terminal. In looking at other connections in this area, all other nuts are marked with a paint pen to show they were verified for tightness. The connection that was damaged and melted away it's rubber cover was not marked. There were no warnings/alarms to state an issue was going to/was occurring. The vehicle is <3 weeks old from pickup at factory delivery center We feel this could've resulted in a less experienced driver potentially going into panic mode and potentially causing an accident. In addition, this fire/arching occurred next to (2) lithium batteries which could've created a fire/explosion. I searched for this issue and found other owners on the FaceBook Revel owners forum have had similar issues with their units - therefore I'm reporting this to prevent other owners/potential owners from having this defect.

NHTSA ID

11433566

Incident

Sep 17, 2021