Winnebago-Paseo RV Exposed: Recalls, Electrical Failures, Leak Risks, and Costly Downtime

(Serious Concern)

With a discontinued model like the Paseo, a third-party inspection is not a formality—it’s your only leverage before you sign. Many buyers who skip this step report repeated service visits, months-long waits for parts, and cancelled trips. Once the dealer has your money, your coach can slide to the back of the service queue.

• Hire an independent NRVIA-certified or highly experienced mobile RV inspector. Search: RV Inspectors near me.
• Demand a fluid analysis (engine, transmission) and full generator load test; verify proper operation of heating, AC, inverter/charger, and macerator.
• Insist on a water intrusion test (spray test roof, joints, sliding door). Confirm the wet bath and all plumbing fixtures under pressure.

Document everything, and require written repair commitments for any deficiencies before taking delivery. If you’ve navigated this process for a Paseo, would you share what your inspector caught?

(Serious Concern)

Because the Paseo sits on the Ford Transit, you must check Ford’s recall history for the exact year and VIN. Notable system-level concerns reported by Transit owners include shifter bushing failures (possible rollaway risk), driveshaft flexible coupling separation, and door latch malfunctions. Each recall’s risk varies by model year and build date. Begin your research here: NHTSA recalls for Winnebago Paseo, then run a second search on the Transit donor year.

• Owners have flagged transmission shift-cable bushing deterioration leading to inaccurate gear selection. Verify recall remediation and inspect physically if possible. Background threads: Google: Paseo Transit recall issues.
• Driveshaft flexible coupling inspections are time/mileage dependent; overdue units can pose vibration or separation risk. Forum chatter example: Reddit results for Paseo problems.

Confirm all Ford recall campaigns and technical service bulletins (TSBs) are closed before purchase. If needed, a Ford dealer can run a VIN recall report.

(Serious Concern)

Numerous Paseo owners report unpredictable 12V behavior: drained house batteries after short boondocking windows, inconsistent charging from shore power or alternator, and converter/inverter faults tripping GFCIs. Because early Paseos typically shipped with AGM batteries and a conventional converter/charger, repeated deep cycles or weak charging can quickly diminish battery life.

• Reports of isolator or battery combiner issues leading to insufficient charging from the Transit alternator. Evidence threads: Google: Winnebago Paseo battery problems, RVInsider owner complaints.
• Inverter nuisance trips under modest loads; some owners replace factory inverters with higher-quality units. Discussion pools: Good Sam community search: Paseo problems.
• Phantom draws from control panels and propane/CO detectors draining batteries in storage. Reddit scan: r/RVLiving search.

If buying used, have a pro test battery health and charging voltages under load. Upgrading to quality AGMs or lithium with a compatible charger/alternator solution is a common fix—but it can be expensive.

(Serious Concern)

Compact Class B layouts squeeze tanks, pumps, and lines into tight spaces. The Paseo is no exception, and owners commonly report macerator pump failures, slow or stuck gray/black discharge, and dampness near fittings. Several complaints cite early-life macerator replacements and messy bypass workarounds while waiting on parts.

• Macerator clogs and motor burnouts; sometimes traced to line kinks or inadequate strain relief. See: YouTube search: Paseo problems.
• Wet bath water intrusion into adjacent cabinetry if seals or pan edges separate. Forum mentions: Google: Paseo wet bath problems.
• Fresh-water tank sensor inaccuracy; owners report 0/33/66/100% “stuck” readings leading to surprise dry tanks or overflows. Reference: RVInsider results for Paseo.

Have an inspector pressurize the system, run every fixture, and scope under-sink and behind-access panels for evidence of prior leaks. Macerator drains should be cycled multiple times during inspection.

(Moderate Concern)

Owners frequently cite underwhelming cabin cooling in high heat and inconsistent heating in shoulder seasons. The compact roof AC is described as loud and sometimes unable to maintain temperature in direct sun. Those with Truma Combi heaters report error codes (e.g., ignition failures) or lukewarm air at altitude. While some of this is inherent to small vans, repeated cases suggest setup or installation quality plays a role.

• AC short-cycling, noisy operation, and warm supply temps in extreme heat. Threads: Good Sam: Paseo AC problems.
• Truma faults leading to no-heat/no-hot-water scenarios until reset; sometimes requiring dealer-only diagnostic tools. See: Google: Paseo Truma problems.

Consider a thermal inspection of door and window seals and confirm the heater’s venting and intake are free of obstructions. Real-world test: run the AC for 30 minutes in midday sun during inspection and measure supply air.

(Serious Concern)

Owner reports cite cabinet latches misaligned from the factory, squeaks/rattles, loose trim, and sliding door water intrusion during rain drives. Over years, even minor leaks can delaminate cabinetry and floor substrates. When caught early, resealing helps; when missed, repairs become extensive.

• Loose screws/latches in overhead cabinets; hinge pull-outs from thin substrates. Examples buried in forum archives: Reddit: Paseo problems search.
• Roof seam and accessory penetrations (racks, antennas) needing proactive reseal. Owner diaries: Google: Paseo leak problems.
• Sliding door wind noise and water paths in heavy rain; some require dealer adjustment or improved weatherstripping.

Ask your inspector to do a spray test over all seams and door edges. Use a moisture meter on the floor around the wet bath and under galley cabinets.

(Moderate Concern)

Many Paseos came with the Onan QG 2800 gasoline generator. Reported issues include hard starts after storage, surging under load, and fault codes when powering the AC. Some owners also flag noisy operation and vibration inside the cabin. Although the Onan is a known quantity, installation details (fuel pick-up, exhaust routing, compartment ventilation) can make or break performance.

• Surging and shutdown under AC load; sometimes resolved with carb cleaning, altitude adjustment, or fuel system service. Video accounts: YouTube: Paseo generator problems.
• Exhaust noise complaints, with some owners adding aftermarket resonators or insulation. Discussions: Good Sam search.

An inspector should hot-load the generator (AC on high) for 20–30 minutes and check for CO entry using a detector inside the coach. If you’ve had generator headaches in a Paseo, what did it take to fix them?

(Serious Concern)

Owner narratives regularly describe extended downtime awaiting Winnebago-specific parts or coordination between Ford dealers (chassis issues) and RV dealers (house systems). The result: weeks to months off the road while relatively simple problems languish in the queue. Post-warranty, customers sometimes describe “diagnostic ping-pong,” paying multiple shops without resolution.

• BBB complaints and general brand feedback point to communication gaps and slowed approvals. Start here: BBB results for Winnebago.
• Threads describing multiple returns for the same issue—especially electrical gremlins and leak chasing. Searches: Google: Paseo warranty problems, Reddit search.

Consumer educators like Liz Amazing routinely cover how to escalate with documentation and deadlines; see her channel and search for your specific model: Liz Amazing exposes RV service gaps. Her checklists and escalation scripts are especially helpful for used buyers, where warranty coverage may be limited.

(Moderate Concern)

Marketing often implied “four-season” capability, impressive off-grid comfort, and easy serviceability. Owners report a different reality: AC that can’t keep up in southern heat, heating hiccups in cold snaps, and energy storage that limits time away from shore power. This can be a mismatch if you plan national parks or desert travel.

• Limited factory solar and AGM storage means constant generator runtime for air conditioning. Owner commentary: RVInsider reviews.
• Space and payload constraints complicate major off-grid upgrades compared to larger vans.

Align expectations with physics: Class B vans are small thermal envelopes. Inspect, then plan upgrades realistically—or choose a floorplan with better energy and insulation baselines.

(Moderate Concern)

Because the Paseo left Winnebago’s lineup, the used market sets value. Discontinuation doesn’t inherently mean “bad,” but it increases parts risk and narrows support. Some Paseo-specific components (cabinet doors, trim pieces) may be special-order or require custom fabrication if damaged.

• Expect steeper discounts when issues are present; negotiate based on documented deficiencies and likely upgrade costs. Research: Google: Paseo for sale issues.
• Join owner groups to assess parts availability anecdotes. Quick link: Find Paseo Facebook Groups.

(Serious Concern)

Owners alleging repeated, unresolved defects should document timelines and communications. Key frameworks to know:

• Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act (federal): Requires warrantors to honor written warranties and can allow fee-shifting if you prevail. Even used buyers may have coverage if a written warranty remains in effect.
• State Lemon Laws: These vary. Some include RVs; others exclude motorhomes or limit coverage to chassis vs. “house” components. Check your state attorney general’s resources.
• Safety recalls (NHTSA): Manufacturers must remedy safety defects at no charge. Always verify recall compliance by VIN through NHTSA search.
• FTC rules on unfair/deceptive acts: Marketing that materially misleads about capabilities (e.g., four-season use) could be scrutinized if claims aren’t substantiated.

If warranty coverage lapses, some owners consider small-claims actions for specific, documented failures. Consult a consumer-law attorney for your jurisdiction. For self-advocacy tactics and how to escalate professionally, review consumer educators like Liz Amazing’s investigations into RV accountability and apply her documentation templates to your case.

(Serious Concern)

From a safety and financial-risk perspective, the Paseo’s most concerning patterns are those that can strand owners or compromise occupant safety:

• Chassis recall compliance: Unresolved Ford Transit recalls (e.g., shifter cable bushing) can cause rollaway hazards or driveability failures. This is a non-negotiable pre-purchase check.
• Electrical instability: Battery/inverter/charging malfunctions can disable critical systems (lights, fans, heater controls) during travel. A dead house system at a campsite can create unsafe conditions in heat or cold.
• Macerator and wet bath leaks: Sewage handling failures carry health risks and can lead to significant interior contamination and rot if not swiftly repaired.
• Generator exhaust: Any exhaust leak or CO intrusion is an immediate safety issue. Insist on CO testing during inspection and ask about previous service history.

Financially, repeated shop visits for hard-to-source parts, especially on a discontinued model, can erase the purchase savings. A realistic reserve for post-purchase repairs and upgrades (batteries, seals, macerator, AC servicing) is prudent.