2008 Fleetwood PULSE: complaints, problems and recalls

STOPPED AT GAS STATION TO REFUEL. PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AND SHUT ENGINE OFF. AFTER REFUELING, STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND IGNITION KEY WOULDN'T TURN TO UNLOCK IT. COULDN'T RESTART VEHICLE. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE RESTARTED (COST $168). DROVE STRAIGHT TO MERCEDES DEALER. PROBLEM: FAULTY ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL LOCK (ESL). ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO FIX THE ESL. COST $2,187.40. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE AND MERCEDES BENZ HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL TO FIX IT.

Owner-reported narrative. 41,969 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882231 at NHTSA ↗

When I went to change out the headlight bulb, I found the wiring to both headlights were cracked, sheathing missing, bare wires exposed. This poses a fire hazard to the vehicle and occupants.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11684600 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2007-12-21 (December 21, 2007)

ON CERTAIN UTILITY VANS, THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IN CERTAIN DIESEL ENGINES COULD FAIL DUE TO SEPARATION OF BOND WIRES FROM THE LEAD FRAME IN THE SENSOR. THIS RESULTS IN AN INTERRUPTION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CHIP HOUSING OF THE SENSOR.

Consequence: WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER RATHER THAN ENTER A LIMP-HOME MODE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE RESTARTED AFTER FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE SENSOR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT SENSORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SPRINTER AT 1-800-992-1997.

Reported: 2008-03-20 (March 20, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 166 MY 2008-2009 PULSE AND ICON CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. THE FEDERAL CERTIFICATION TAG AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY TAG WERE PRINTED WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) VALUE OF 4,080 POUNDS. THE CORRECT FRONT GAWR IS 4,410 POUNDS.

Consequence: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PART IS TO SPECIFY THE CONTENT AND LOCATION OF, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR, THE CERTIFICATION LABEL TO BE AFFIXED TO MOTOR VEHICLES TO ADDRESS CERTIFICATION-RELATED DUTIES AND LIABILITIES, AND TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH INFORMATION TO ASSIST HIM OR HER IN DETERMINING WHICH OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS ARE APPLICABLE TO THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD WILL PROVIDE CORRECT FEDERAL CERTIFICATION AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY TAGS AS WELL AS INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO THE MOTOR HOME OWNERS. IF AN OWNER DESIRES, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALER REPLACE THE TAGS FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2008-04-10 (April 10, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 80 MY 2008-2009 PULSE AND ICON CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. THE ENTRY STEP ATTACHMENT CRADLE/SUPPORT MAY BEND CAUSING THE STEP TO BECOME UNSAFE.

Consequence: INSUFFICIENT STRUCTURAL MATERIAL STRENGTH COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES AND VEHICLE AND/OR OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REINFORCE THE ENTRY STEP ATTACHMENT CRADLE/SUPPORT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2008.

Reported: 2008-07-01 (July 1, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 226 MY 2008-2009 AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE, AMERICAN EAGLE, AMERICAN HERITAGE, AMERICAN TRADITION, BOUNDER, BOUNDER DIESEL, DISCOVERY, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, FIESTA LX, PACE ARROW, PROVIDENCE, REVOLUTION LE, SOUTHWIND, CLASS A MOTOR HOMES, AND ICON, JAMBOREE, JAMBOREE GT, JAMBOREE SPORT, PULSE, TIOGA, AND TIOGA RANGER CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. THESE MOTOR HOMES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, PART 567, 'CERTIFICATION.' THE OCCUPANT AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY WERE CALCULATED INCORRECTLY ALLOWING ADDITIONAL LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY.

Consequence: OVERLOADING MAY HAVE AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON MOTOR HOME HANDLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FLEETWOOD WILL MAIL A CORRECTED FEDERAL CERTIFICATION LABEL ALONG WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO THE AFFECTED MOTOR HOME OWNERS. OWNERS WHO DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE INSTALLING THIS LABEL CAN TAKE THEIR MOTOR HOME TO ANY FLEETWOOD DEALER AND THE DEALER WILL INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.

Reported: 2008-09-26 (September 26, 2008)

FLEETWOOD IS RECALLING 979 MY 2008-2009 ICON, JAMBOREE, JAMBOREE GT, PULSE, TIOGA, AND TIOGA SL CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. THE FRONT CLEARANCE LIGHTS WIRING MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH A PORTION OF THE METAL MOUNTING PLATE AND COULD BECOME ABRADED.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRING AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FLEETWOOD AT 1-800-509-3418.