2003 Fleetwood BOUNDER: complaints, problems and recalls

SAFETY OF MICHELIN XRV 225/80 R 22.5 TIRES. *MR THE CONSUMER EXPRESSED CONCERNS RELATED TO THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF THE MICHELIN XRV TIRES. THE CONSUMER WITNESSED FIRST HAND THE BLOWOUT OF A PASSENGER SIDE INSIDE DUAL TIRE ON A 2001 BOUNDER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES HIS TIRES MAY ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, HE THEREFORE CONTACTED HIS LOCAL MICHELIN TIRE DEALER. THE DEALER REFUSED TO TRADE THE TIRES STATING THAT THERE WAS NO MARKET FOR A USED MICHELIN XRV. *NM *JB *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050477 at NHTSA ↗

WE BOUGHT A NEW 2003 FLEETWOOD, BOUNDER MOTORHOME AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING MUCH DIFFICULTY IN HAVING A LEAK REPAIRED IN OUR REAR BEDROOM. OUR CARPETING HAS BEEN SOAKED IN A CERTAIN SPOT AND NOW WE BELIEVE MILDEW IS SETTING IN. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10075021 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH POWER STEERING PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE POWER BRAKES FAILED. NO IMPACT REPORTED. THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 8,135 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089894 at NHTSA ↗

THE SPEEDOMETER IS NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER SPEED WHILE DRIVING, AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT REGISTERING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE WOULD DROP TO EMPTY WHILE A QUARTER TANK OR MORE OF FUEL REMAINS IN THE TANK. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS, AND THEY CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM.*AK THE SPEEDOMETER ALSO INDICATES WRONG SPEEDS. SPEED SHOWN IS 25-30 MPH SLOWER THAN THE VEHICLE IS ACUALLY GOING. *TC

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094731 at NHTSA ↗

THE PARKING BRAKE SOMETIMES DOES NOT FULLY ENGAGE. *NM THE DASHBOARD ASSEMBLY WAS CURVED AND AS IT WAS INSTALLED IT RESTRICTED THE MOVEMENT OF THE LEVER DOWNWARD THUS CAUSING THE PAWL TO NOT FULLY ENGAGE. THE PAWL LEVER RESTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAUSING THE PAWL TO BE ONLY PARTIALLY ENGAGED WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE IS ON, THUS, ONLY A SMALL FORWARD MOVEMENT OF THE DASHBOARD WILL PUSH THE LEVER UP. RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE. *TC

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10101189 at NHTSA ↗

DT: INTERMITTENTLY THE DASHBOARD GAUGE PANEL WENT DEAD. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE GAUGE PACKAGE, AND TODAY IT WENT DEAD AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE PANEL ON APRIL 4, 2005. SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED SINCE IT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THEY DID A FLASH THEN HAD A REPLACEMENT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136947 at NHTSA ↗

IN JUNE, AFTER TIRE REPLACEMENT, A CERTIFIED BRAKE AND ALIGNMENT SHOP DISCOVERED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE CALIPERS HAD BEEN INTERMITTENTLY STICKING WHICH CAUSED SEVERE OVERHEATING OF ALL BRAKE AND BEARING COMPONENTS. THE ROTORS, CALIPERS, AND ALL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. THIS WAS INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED BY AN INSPECTOR SENT OUT BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PEOPLE. AFTER REPLACING ALL THESE COMPONENTS, I WAS DRIVING TO OREGON AND THE LEFT FRONT SPEED SENSOR OF THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED (INTERMITTENTLY), AND THE MOTORHOME WOULD PULL VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,238 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201990 at NHTSA ↗

I OWN A 2003 BOUNDER MOTOR HOME BUILT ON THE WORK HORSE CHASSIS. ON AUG. 08, 2008 WHEN I STARTED MY MOTOR HOME I NOTICED THAT THE LCD SCREEN (WINDOW) WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO READ. THIS LCD WINDOW IS PRT OF THE ACTIA INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. I CALLED A WORK HORSE AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER IN BATH, NY AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AUG. 24. THEY TOLD ME IN THE MEANTIME THEY WOULD CONTACT WORK HORSE ON THIS TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO SPEED UP THE REPAIR. IN THAT TIME PERIOD WORK HORSE DID NOT GET BACK TO THEM, AND SO THE DAY I ARRIVED AFTER DRIVING OVER TWO HO…

Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245061 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-09-16 (September 16, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS, THE HYDRAULIC HOSE OPERATING THE LEVELING JACK SYSTEM WAS ROUTED SO IT PLACES THE HOSE TOO CLOSE TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST. THE HOT EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THE HYDRAULIC HOSE TO MELT OR ABRADE, RELEASING HYDRAULIC FLUID.

Consequence: IF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID SHOULD IGNITE BY AN EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATING TUBE OR OTHER HEAT SOURCE, THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE DAMAGED HOSES AND RELOCATE THE AFFECTED HYDRAULIC LINES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 3, 2003. 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 FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)

ON CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SAMSUNG MICROWAVE OVENS, THESE OVENS WERE PRODUCED WITH A DEFECTIVE PANEL. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN CIRCUIT PATTERNS ON THE MEMBRANE PANEL, ESPECIALLY OVERLAPPED BY A "JUMPER" OR JUMP WIRE. THIS MAY CAUSE THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS.

Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CAN OCCUR CAUSING THE OVEN TO ACTIVATE WITHOUT PRESSING ANY KEY PADS. THIS COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE HEAT, SMOKE, OR POSSIBLY A FIRE.

Remedy: SAMSUNG WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND REPAIR THE PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. IN THE MEANTIME, CONSUMERS SHOULD UNPLUG THEIR MICROWAVE, IF POSSIBLE. IF THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO UNPLUG THE MICROWAVE, THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE DOOR AJAR UNTIL THE PANEL IS REPLACED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NEVER USE THE MICROWAVE OVEN FOR STORAGE OR LEAVE ANY TOWELS, PAPER, CLOTH OR OTHER PRODUCTS IN THE MICROWAVE AFTER USE. 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 SAMSUNG AT 800-932-3837 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-629-8454.

Reported: 2004-07-20 (July 20, 2004)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH DRAW TITE HITCH RECEIVERS MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE WELDS BETWEEN THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE BOTTOM SUPPORT PLATE.

Consequence: THE WELDS COULD BREAK, ALLOWING THE HITCH RECEIVER BOX AND THE TOWED LOAD TO SEPARATE FROM THE TOWING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE HITCH RECEIVER. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2006-04-12 (April 12, 2006)

CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND NO. 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELLTALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.

Consequence: AT NIGHT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LIGHTS MAY FAIL AND THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR WHICH COULD INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN AND REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731 OR FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

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: 2008-07-15 (July 15, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 70,101 MY 2003-2007 SOUTHWIND, PACE ARROW, BOUNDER, FLAIR, STORM, FIESTA, TERRA GAS CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; BOUNDER, DISCOVERY, PROVIDENCE, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, REVOLUTION, AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION DIESEL CLASS A MOTOR HOMES; JAMBOREE TIOGA CLASS C MOTOR HOMES; AND PROWLER, WILDERNESS, TERRY, MALLARD, PIONEER, PRIDE AND TRIUMPH CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH A TWO-DOOR REFRIGERATORS MANUFACTURED BY THE DOMETIC CORPORATION. THE REFRIGERATOR 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: IF THIS SOLUTION IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE UNDER CERTAIN SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES, IT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD IS WORKING WITH DOMETIC TO REPAIR THESE REFRIGERATORS (PLEASE SEE 08E032). 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 THE OWNER 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: 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 509 MY 2001-2008 CLASS A MOTOR HOMES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.

Consequence: THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY DETECT THE BRAKE DRAG BUT IF UNDETECTED THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN PLEASE SEE 09V-110. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731. WORKHORSE WILL CONDUCT THE OWNER AND DEALER NOTIFICATION.

Reported: 2009-07-28 (July 28, 2009)

FLEETWOOD RV IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005 AND 2006 MOTORHOMES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JULY 24, 2004 AND MARCH 11, 2005, EQUIPPED WITH NORCOLD MODEL 1200LR, 1200LRIM, AND 1201LRIM REFRIGERATORS WITH SERIAL NUMBERS BETWEEN 1273701 AND 1536607, NON-CONSECUTIVELY. A FATIGUE FAILURE IN THE SECTION OF THE COOLING UNIT WHICH CONTAINS THE REFRIGERANT COULD ALLOW THE LIQUID SOLUTION TO SLOWLY LEAK. IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE REFRIGERATOR CONTINUES TO BE OPERATED AFTER SOLUTION CIRCULATION HAS CEASED THE HEAT SOURCE COULD GENERATE VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES. AT SUCH HIGH TEMPERATURES, THE COOLING UNIT COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence: IF A LEAK OCCURS AND THE UNIT IS CONTINUES TO OPERATE, HYDROGEN GAS MAY BE EXPELLED AND CAN BE IGNITED, RESULTING IN A FIRE, POSSIBLY CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD RV WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE VEHICLE'S REFRIGERATOR WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING SEPTEMBER 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD RV AT 1-800-509-3418 OR NORCOLD'S RECALL CENTER AT 1-800-767-9101.