2004 Fleetwood PROWLER: complaints, problems and recalls

WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF FROM THE AXLE, DAMAGING THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE 5TH WHEEL AND ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *AK DUE TO IMPROPER TORQUE, THE WHEEL AND LUG NUTS CAME OFF. *TS *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,279 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039701 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER STATED MICROWAVE IN MOTOR HOME WAS ON RECALL. HOWEVER, AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF TRYING TO CONTACT ASSISTANCE FOR HELP ON THIS MICROWAVE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, AND DID NOT HELP. CONSUMER WAS IRATE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10091623 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS FRONT SHOCKS PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE AND DAMAGED THE WHEEL WELL. CONSUMER HAD THE TIRE CHANGED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SLIDEOUTS CAME OUT ABOUT 8 INCHED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE CONSUMER HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND PUSH THEM BACK IN BY HAND. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097755 at NHTSA ↗

THE PIN BOX WHICH WAS WELDED ONTO THE 5TH WHEEL FRAME TO BE USED TO PULL THE TRAILER BROKE FROM THE WELD FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10105030 at NHTSA ↗

DT: WHILE DRIVING AT 75-80 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE A FRAME FAILED ON THE FIFTH WHEEL FLEETWOOD TRAVEL TRAILER. THE TRAILERS INSTABILITY CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF FROM THE INTERSTATE. THE FRAME BROKE APART WHILE STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. FLEETWOOD SENT A WELDER TO WELD THE FRAME ENOUGH SO THE TRAILER COULD BE MOVED TO THE FLEETWOOD PLANT FOR FURTHER REPAIRS, FROM THERE IT WAS SENT TO LIPPERT FRAME MANUFACTURER FOR REPAIRS. THE TRAILER WAS TO BE GIVEN BACK TO THE CONSUMER. THE CONSUMER BROUGHT A FRAME SPECIALIST WITH HIM TO INSP…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10136616 at NHTSA ↗

WE HAVE FOUR TIRES ON OUR 2004 REGAL PROWLER RV. WE FOUND A BUBBLE AND WHEN THE DEALER WE GOT THE TRAILER TO SAW THE TIRES, THEY ALL NEEDED REPLACED. THE RUBBER WAS ROTTEN AND COULD BE PULLED BY HAND OFF THE RIM ONCE UP ON A RACK. THE BUBBLES WERE EVIDENT ON ALL TIRES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE RIG HAD NOT BEEN USED MANY TIMES AND THE TIRES WERE NOT OLD ENOUGH TO NEED REPLACED THIS SOON. THEY ARE GOODYEAR MARATHON RADIAL (S), PDHH MLOR 0203 SIZE ST 225/75R 15'S. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING WAS WAY WRONG WITH THESE TIRES AND I …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10143846 at NHTSA ↗

NO FAILURE. THIS IS CONCERNING A 2004 FLEETWOOD PROWLER TRAVEL TRAILER WE BOUGHT NEW. I REMOVE THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND REPLACED WITH HEAVIER TIRES(C LOAD RATING). I DID THIS BECAUSE OF HANDLING PROBLEMS WHEN PULLING THE TRAILER. THE TRAILER WOULD SWAY EXCESSIVELY WHEN I WAS PASSED, ESPECIALLY BY BIG TRUCKS. CHANGING TO HEAVIER TIRES MADE A SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. THE TRAVEL TRAILER CAME WITH B LOAD RATED TIRES WHICH ACCORDING TO THE STICKER ON THE TRAILER ARE CAPABLE OF CARRYING 5920 LBS. MAXIMUM. THE STICKER STATES THE GVWR(GROSS VEHICLE WEIGH RAT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10146248 at NHTSA ↗

2004 PROWLER REGAL 270 SKY LIGHT OVER SHOWER LEAKED. PANEL ON REAR OF DINNETTE BOOTH CAME OFF, PANEL UNDER BED CAME OFF AND LATCH WILL NOT STAY FASTENED. *TS THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE SLIDE OUT. THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE SHOWER DOOR DID NOT SLIDE. THE HITCH BALL WAS NOT TILTED CORRECTLY, THE STEEL RODS WERE BENT. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10158411 at NHTSA ↗

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

ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS, THE OWNER MANUALS EITHER DO NOT CONTAIN THE WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE INFORMATION OR CONTAIN INCORRECT WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE INFORMATION FOR THE OPTIONAL "ALUMINUM WHEEL"

Consequence: VEHICLE OPERATION WITHOUT THE PROPER TORQUE APPLIED TO THE WHEEL LUG NUTS COULD RESULT IN THE LUG NUTS BECOMING LOOSE AND A WHEEL SEPARATION THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL AND INSERT TO BE ADDED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IF THE VEHICLE HAS THE "ALUMINUM WHEEL" OPTION, OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS TORQUED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 26, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-445-3307.

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: 2004-03-22 (March 22, 2004)

ON CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH SIEMENS Q CIRCUIT BREAKER, THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE MIS-MARKED.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OVERHEATED CONDUCTOR IN A SUSTAINED OVERLOAD CONDITION WHICH COULD CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY APRIL 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-322-8216.

Reported: 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)

ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL AND CONVENTIONAL TRAVEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE PROPER WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE APPLIED. ADDITIONALLY, PAINT APPLIED TO THE MATING SURFACE OF THE HUB MAY CAUSE THE LUG NUTS TO BE MORE SENSITIVE TO LOOSENING DURING THE INITIAL SETTLING-IN OF COMPONENTS AND AFTER A WHEEL HAS BEEN REMOVED FOR SERVICE.

Consequence: A WHEEL SEPARATION COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPAIR, OR REPLACE ANY DAMAGED WHEELS, LUG NUTS, LUG STUDS, AND MATING SURFACES. DEALERS WILL ALSO REMOVE PAINT FILM FROM THE MATING SURFACES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 5, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2005-06-21 (June 21, 2005)

CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILERS HAVE MISSING WELDS ON THE CHASSIS CROSS-MEMBERS.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE CROSS-MEMBER TO BECOME DISLODGED, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD IF THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER IS IN MOTION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH FLEETWOOD, WILL INSPECT THE CROSS-MEMBERS FOR MISSING WELDS, REPAIR THE WELDS IF NECESSARY, AND ADD ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE AFFECTED AREA. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LIPPERT DIRECTLY AT 1-866-524-7821 TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE THIS INSPECTION AND REPAIR PERFORMED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005.

Reported: 2005-09-27 (September 27, 2005)

ON CERTAIN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS, THE PROPANE GAS LINES THAT RUN THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE SLIDE OUT ROOM PENETRATE THE FLOOR TOO FAR FROM THE OUTSIDE WALL CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR PINCHED LINES DURING SLIDE OUT ROOM OPERATION.

Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A PROPANE GAS LEAK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR AN EXPLOSION AND/OR FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, AS NECESSARY, REROUTE THE PROPANE GAS LINE. THIS RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 24, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2005-11-07 (November 7, 2005)

CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 120 "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION PLACARD CONTAINS INCORRECT "LOAD RANGE "B" INFORMATION REGARDING THE MAXIMUM CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY. THE CORRECT TIRE IS A LOAD RANGE "C".

Consequence: A FULLY LOADED TRAVEL TRAILER WILL OVERLOAD THE TIRES, WHICH COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE TIRES THAT ARE MARKED "LOAD RANGE "B" AND REPLACE IT WITH A "LOAD RANGE "C" TIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-445-3307.

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.