1997 Fleetwood SOUTHWIND: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
53,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Parking Brake is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 7 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 57.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Parking Brake | 2 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional | 2 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Parking Brake: 2; Parking Brake:Conventional: 2; Equipment: 1; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable: 1; Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Structure: 1; Tires: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2003: 1; 2004: 3; 2005: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Parking Brake leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10033036 · 2003-08-18 (August 18, 2003)
THE AUTOPARK BRAKE AND MANUAL PARK BRAKE HAVE FAILED SEVERAL TIMES ALLOWING MOTORHOME TO DRIFT (ONE TIME HITTING ANOTHER ) .LAST TIME 7/16/03. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO YOU!*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 52,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080076 · 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)
AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE, AND THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE DID NOT PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING FROM AN INCLINE. VEHICLE WAS BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080076 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089421 · 2004-09-28 (September 28, 2004)
THE AUTOMATIC PARK BRAKE CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RELEASE WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. A NEW PART WAS PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK THERE WERE TIMES WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR AND THE BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE. *SC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104633 · 2004-12-28 (December 28, 2004)
THE AUTOMATIC 12 VOLT STEP AT THE ENTRANCE DOOR FAILED TO EXTEND WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED IN THE DARK . CAUSING MY WIFE TO FALL SINCE THERE WAS NO STEP. REQUIRING SURGERY, A PLATE AND SCREWS TO BE PUT IN HER ANKLE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10107197 · 2005-01-11 (January 11, 2005)
THE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC STEP DID NOT COME OUT WHEN SUPPOSE TO UPON OPENING THE DOORS. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO FALL OUT, AND BREAK HIS LEG. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10107197 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 751459 · 2001-08-31 (August 31, 2001)
THE "AUTO PARK BRAKE" AND THE MANUALLY FOOT OPERATED PARKING BRAKE HAVE FAILED THREE (3) TIMES ALLOWING THE MOTORHOME TO DRIFT FREELY OR NEARLY SO.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751459 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
07V120000 · Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗96V236000 · Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
Reported: 1996-11-22 (November 22, 1996)
THE E-Z SLIDE-OUT ROOM CAN OPERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. WATER CAN CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM CONTROL RELAY.
Consequence: IF THE SLIDE-OUT ROOM OPERATES UNEXPECTEDLY, THE MOTOR HOME WIDTH WILL INCREASE WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF TRAVELING OR PROPERTY DAMAGE COULD OCCUR WHILE THE MOTOR HOME IS PARKED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REPLACEMENT CONTROL RELAY IN A WATERPROOF LOCATION ON THESE MOTOR HOMES.
NHTSA campaign record ↗