1997 Fleetwood BOUNDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
32,660 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 20 complaints (10.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 15.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 10.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Visibility:Glass, Side/Rear: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment: 1; Parking Brake: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2004: 7; 2005: 1; 2007: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10073864 · 2004-05-19 (May 19, 2004)
VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO ROLL DUE TO POOR BRAKE LINE DESIGN. THE BRAKE LINE WAS ONE HALF INCH FROM MANIFOLD. THE MANIFOLD MELTED THE BRAKE LINE, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO SEIZE. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073864 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201760 · 2007-09-04 (September 4, 2007)
THE PARKING BRAKE ON MY 1997 BOUNDER MOTOR HOME THAT'S BUILT ON A CHEVROLET P-30 CHASSIS WILL FAIL WITHOUT WARNING & ALLOW THE COACH TO ROLL. IT HAS BEEN REBUILT & WORKS MOST OF THE TIME. IT'S THAT ONE TIME IT WON'T WORK THAT WORRIES ME. I AM USING WHEEL CHAULKS WHENEVER I PARK IT. *TR. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ UPDATED *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059503 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
THE VEHICLE HAD A STATE INSPECTION PERFORMED FROM ANOTHER STATE BEFORE THE CONSUMER TOOK OWNERSHIP. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT SOME THINGS WERE OVERLOOKED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. *LA THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE HAD MANY PROBLEMS, SUCH AS DEFECTIVE SPEEDOMETER, POOR WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES, WHICH FAILED TO CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD, AN EXHAUST LEAK WHICH WAS LEAKING AT THE EXHAUST HEADER, A DEFECTIVE REAR ROOF LADDER, AND A IMPROPERLY MISALIGNED STEERING WHEEL. THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10059503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10097251 · 2004-10-20 (October 20, 2004)
WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 31,645 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097251 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10075341 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
TRANSMISSIOIN FAILURE. HAD TO HAVE THE SEALS REPLACED ALMOST FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT THE UNIT NEW. NOW THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED. HAD TWO HEADS REPLACED AND AN ENTIRE MANIFOLD SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERS THAT THAT YEAR OF MOTORHOME ENGINE HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS. ENDED UP WITH A 350 DOLLAR TOWING BILL AND OUT THE USE OF THE MOTORHOME AS WE ARE "NEGOTIATING" WITH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY TO SEE IF THEY WILL PAY FOR THE FAILURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 39,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10075341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078888 · 2004-06-27 (June 27, 2004)
BOUGHT BOUNDER NEW IN 1998. IT IS A 1997 MODEL. FORD 460 MOTOR. SINCE WE BOUGHT IT, WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SEALS REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES, TWO NEW HEADS, ONE NEW MANIFOLD SYSTEM AND THE RADIATOR HAD PROBLEMS. THE LEVELING JACK ALARM WOULDN'T SHUT OFF. NOW, THE TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. WE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT THE INSPECTOR SAYS THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER LEAK IN THE FRONT TRANNY SEAL, AND THAT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE OF THE TRANNY AND THEY WON'T COVER THE FAILURE. THE FLUID DRAINED WHEN WE GOT TO OUR DEST…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078888 at NHTSA ↗