1999 Fleetwood AMERICAN HERITAGE: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2000-07-03 (July 3, 2000)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH GRANNING AIR SUSPENSIONS. A FRACTURE CAN DEVELOP AT THE ATTACHMENT POINT OF THE CROSS MEMBER/BELL CRANK AND IDLER ARM HOUSING.

Consequence: THIS DEFECT MAY CAUSE ERRATIC OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL IF THE CROSS MEMBER SEPARATES FROM THE ASSEMBLY.

Remedy: TUTHILL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. REPAIR FACILITIES WILL INSPECT AND ADD GUSSETS TO REINFORCE THE CROSS MEMBER CONNECTION FOR THE BELL CRANK AND IDLER ARM. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TUTHILL CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AT 1-800-255-7824 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-909-351-7638.

Reported: 2007-03-19 (March 19, 2007)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATOR, MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION, MAY HAVE A DEFECT IN THE BOILER TUBE. PRESSURIZED COOLANT SOLUTION COULD BE RELEASED INTO AN AREA WHERE AN IGNITION SOURCE (GAS FLAME) IS PRESENT.

Consequence: RELEASE OF COOLANT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS COULD IGNITE AND RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD WILL BE WORKING WITH DOMETIC IN ORDER TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 06E076). DOMETIC WILL REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS BY INSTALLING A SECONDARY BURN HOUSING, A THERMAL FUSE, AND A MELT FUSE FREE OF CHARGE. DOMETIC HAS RETAINED STERICYCLE INC. TO MANAGE THIS CAMPAIGN. STERICYCLE WILL ASSIST YOU IN LOCATING DEALERSHIPS OR SERVICE CENTERS AND WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOMETIC/STERICYCLE AT 1-888-446-5157 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2008-06-03 (June 3, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS A GAS AND DIESEL MOTOR HOMES, CLASS C MOTOR HOMES, CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD REFRIGERATORS. A LOW CYCLE FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH GENERATES THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK.

Consequence: EXTENDED OPERATION OF A LEAKING COOLING UNIT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE FROM GAS WHICH MIGHT ESCAPE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH NORCOLD TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS. NORCOLD WILL PROVIDE THERMAL SWITCH KITS TO OWNERS ALONG WITH THE NECESSARY FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NORCOLD AT 1-800-767-9101 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 1999-07-02 (July 2, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AIR SUSPENSIONS. THE FRONT WHEEL SPINDLE BEARING MAY HAVE EXCESSIVE PRELOAD DUE TO IMPROPER END PLAY SETTINGS.

Consequence: THIS BEARING PRELOAD IN COMBINATION WITH IMPROPER LUBRICATING OIL LEVELS CAN CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE OUTER BEARING, AFFECTING THE STEERING ON THE MOTOR HOMES.

Remedy: TUTHILL IS CONDUCTING THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS RECALL. TUTHILL WILL INSPECT THE DEFLECTOR RING AND RESEATING, ADJUST THE WHEEL BEARINGS, ADD LUBRICATION, AND REPLACE THE HUBCAP.

Reported: 1999-06-29 (June 29, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR G159 11R22.5 TIRES. IN A FULLY LOADED VEHICLE, THE TIRES ON THE FRONT AXLE MAY BE LOADED PAST THEIR RATED CARRYING CAPACITY.

Consequence: THIS OVERLOAD COULD CAUSE PREMATURE TIRE WEAR AND POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH MICHELIN XZA 295/80R22.5 TIRES AND RE-RATE THE FRONT GAWR TO 13,700 LBS. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED WITH THE PROPER DOCUMENTATION SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT RATING CHANGE.

Reported: 1999-10-15 (October 15, 1999)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOMES. THE SUBJECT MOTOR HOMES, WHEN BUILT WITH A DISPROPORTIONATE FRONT AXLE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION, FULLY EQUIPPED, LOADED WITH CARGO, AND OPERATED WITH IMPROPER TIRE PRESSURES, CAN EXPERIENCE AN OVERLOAD CONDITION ON A FRONT TIRE.

Consequence: OVERLOADING OF A TIRE CAN LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL EQUIP THE SUBJECT MOTOR HOMES WITH NEW LARGER CAPACITY FRONT TIRES, WILL ADJUST THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION ON THE FRONT AXLE (IF NECESSARY), APPLY NEW CERTIFICATION LABELS, AND REINFORCE CONSUMER EDUCATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF TIRE MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING ROTATION, ALIGNMENT, AND TIRE INFLATION PRESSURE.