Fleetwood SOUTHWIND problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
131 owner complaints analyzed
48 distinct recall campaigns
22,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1979 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 23 of 131 complaints (17.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 43 | 32.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.1% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 23 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Visibility | 7 |
| Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer | 6 |
| Parking Brake | 6 |
| Tires | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 23; Visibility:Windshield: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Visibility: 7; Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer: 6; Parking Brake: 6; Tires: 6; Electrical System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 45 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 21 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 45; 25,000 to 49,999: 21; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (45). 55 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
1995: 8; 1996: 3; 2000: 12; 2001: 11; 2002: 6; 2003: 6; 2004: 9; 2005: 5; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 8; 2009: 7; 2010: 16; 2011: 3; 2012: 4; 2013: 5; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 43 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 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 557177 · 2000-11-09 (November 9, 2000)
VEHICLE WAS COMING AROUND A CURVE AND THE BRAKES FAILED, THERE WAS NEVER AN EMERGENCY BRAKE INSTALLED, THE VEHICLE CRASHED AND 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 557177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086803 · 2004-08-13 (August 13, 2004)
AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE ENGAGES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT WILL ALSO ENGAGE WHEN THE GEAR SELECTOR IS IN REVERSE AND YOU ARE BACKING UP. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP NO MATTER HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485230 · 1995-06-13 (June 13, 1995)
INCORRECT WIRING TO IGNITION SWITCH, CAUSED IGNITION TO SHORT OUT/FAIL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485230 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10538121 · 2013-08-30 (August 30, 2013)
SIX (6) BCT RADIAL A/P TIRES WERE INSTALLED ON 97 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME (MODEL 32VS) ON 3/19/11 AT APPROX. 33000 MILES. ONE TIRE FAILED WITH TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING ON RT. 90,10 MILES WEST OF ROCHESTER, NY, ON 7/2/13. TREAD SEPARATION CAUSED WIRING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEELWELL AREA. WIRING WAS REPAIRED, TIRE WAS REPLACED AND A TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED. SECOND TIRE FAILED (SIDEWALL RUPTURE) ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WHILE EXITING RT. 180 IN WILLIAMSPORT, PA ON 8/19/13. VEHICLE WAS EXITING TO INVESTIGATE A…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10538121 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 865165 · 2000-07-11 (July 11, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF. HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND IT STARTED VIBRATING. PULLED OVER, SHUT MOTOR OFF, STARTED UP AGAIN. THEN, WHEN APPROACHING AN EXIT IT SHUT OFF. HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. COMING BACK FROM IOWA ON THE HIGHWAY, TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH, HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AND RV STARTED SHAKING VERY HARD. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 865165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556432 · 2000-10-26 (October 26, 2000)
CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 97S92 AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT, FOR PRIOR REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL PUMP. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489309 · 1995-04-15 (April 15, 1995)
TRANSMISSION FAILED THREE TIMES, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 864645 · 2000-07-03 (July 3, 2000)
WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE THE LIGHT CAME ON. ALSO, IF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM WAS HIGH BRAKES WOULD NOT SET, IT WOULD OVERRIDE THE ACTUATOR. IF IT WAS LOW, THE ACTUATOR WOULD NOT OVERRIDE THE SPRING. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AND THEY CHANGED THE PRESSURE ACTUATOR SWITCH. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 864645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506561 · 1996-07-24 (July 24, 1996)
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506561 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 757373 · 2002-01-26 (January 26, 2002)
MOTORHOME HAD STALLED AND STOPPED IN THE CENTER LANES OF FREEWAY,A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THANKS TO HIGHWAY POLICE AND CELL PHONE.THIS HAPPEN TWICE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 757373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 981039 · 1996-03-21 (March 21, 1996)
STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN; FAILURE ON THE STEERING,CAUSING THE VHEICLETO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE LEFT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 981039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10034276 · 2003-08-20 (August 20, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH AND WITH CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED ENGINE SIMPLY STALLED, AND WOULD NOT TURN OVER. BRAKES FAILED AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING. AFTER VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A HALF HOUR IT STARTED UP AFTER ENGAGING THE IGNITION. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10034276 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 6 |
2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 2; 2020: 5; 2021: 6; 2022: 5; 2023: 6
Year-by-year records
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Change in recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 0 | 1 | Not available |
| 1980 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1981 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1982 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| 1986 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 1987 | 0 | 2 | +1 |
| 1988 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1990 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| 1991 | 3 | 0 | -1 |
| 1992 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| 1994 | 5 | 0 | -1 |
| 1995 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 8 | 1 | +1 |
| 1997 | 7 | 2 | +1 |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | -1 |
| 1999 | 6 | 2 | +1 |
| 2000 | 8 | 4 | +2 |
| 2001 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 | 4 | 5 | +1 |
| 2003 | 24 | 8 | +3 |
| 2004 | 13 | 8 | 0 |
| 2005 | 8 | 4 | -4 |
| 2006 | 4 | 6 | +2 |
| 2007 | 3 | 3 | -3 |
| 2008 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 2009 | 0 | 1 | -1 |
| 2010 | 0 | 3 | +2 |
| 2011 | 0 | 4 | +1 |
| 2012 | 3 | 1 | -3 |
| 2014 | 1 | 3 | Not available |
| 2015 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| 2016 | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| 2018 | 0 | 4 | +3 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2 | -2 |
| 2020 | 1 | 5 | +3 |
| 2021 | 1 | 6 | +1 |
| 2022 | 1 | 5 | -1 |
| 2023 | 1 | 6 | +1 |