Bench Overview: Quick look at Winch Stop Working? Watch This To See How To Fix It! in the shop.
These low cost electric winches are great for ATVs and trailers, but they often lack the quality of their larger more expensive counterparts. As a result, a lack of seals can cause water to rust them up on the inside.
It's not the end though. I spent an hour or so to take this one apart and clean, lube, and reglue it and now it's back up and running.
Sure beats spending the money to replace it!