2004 Fleetwood SOUTHWIND: complaints, problems and recalls

DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL 04V352000 BECAUSE THE MOTOR HOME WELD WAS CRACKED BUT DIDN'T BREAK YET.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090317 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE TRAILER STALLED. TRAILER WAS SERVICED 4 TIMES, AND IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, IN WHICH THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10097867 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE AN 2004 SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME. WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALER I WAS BEING ADVISED ON HOW TO OPEN THE ESCAPE WINDOW IN THE BEDROOM. AFTER OPENING THE LATCHES THE PERSON HAD TO HIT THE WINDOW AND PUSH ON IT MANY TIMES. I DO NOT BELIEVE MY WIFE COULD HAVE OPENED THIS WINDOW IF THERE WAS A FIRE. ALSO THE ARMS ON THIS WINDOW BEND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE SMALL WINDOW FOR AIR. PLEASE CHECK THIS BEFORE WE LOOSE SOMEONE AND GET THE WINDOWS REPLACED. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10112073 at NHTSA ↗

ON 2/2/06 HAD SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME IN TO SHOP WITH COMPLAINT OF STRANGE BRAKE NOISE AND ABS LIGHT BEING ON. OTHER ISSUES ALSO. ON 09/18/08 HAD MOTORHOME IN TO SHOP WITH COMPLAINT OF ABS LIGHT BEING ON. HAD OTHER ISSUES ALSO. ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON AS SOON AS WE LEFT THE REPAIR SHOP. MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE CIRCUIT BARD AND WAS TOO COSTLY AND NOT NEEDED. ON 2/17 /09 MOTORHOME SMELLED OF OVERHEATED BRAKES ON NARROW WINDING FLAT ROAD. WE PULLED OFF IN ONLY SPOT AVAILABLE AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL DOWN ABOUT 3 MILES…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,542 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269873 at NHTSA ↗

BRAKES,CALIPERS,SENSORS IN REAR LOST SOUTHWIND 2004 WORKHORSE CHASIS WILL ONLY COVER 32 PERCENT OF BILL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T TAKE IT TO A WORKHORSE TECH. THE BRAKES WERE WEAK WE WERE AFRAID TO DRIVE TO FAR ON THE HWY. WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD TO TAKE IT TO A WORKHORSE TEC. THERE IS GOING TO BE A RECALL SO THE SHOULD PAY ENTIRE BILL REGARD LESS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 14,194 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280080 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTH WIND. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL#50901-C FROM WORKHORSE IN REGARDS TO THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILURE WHICH BURNED THE ABS SENSOR IN JUNE 2009. ON AUGUST 14, 2009, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER ALSO FAILED. THE RV MOTOR HOME IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280634 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND RV. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE BRAKES. NO REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 21,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 21,500.

Owner-reported narrative. 21,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10322880 at NHTSA ↗

LOSS OF BRAKES IN MOUNTAINS DUE TO OVER HEATING. REAR WHEELS SMOKING AND TOO HOT TO TOUCH. PULLED OF INTO REST AREA AND STAYED THERE FOR 4 HOURS TO LET BRAKES COOL DOWN. AFTER STOPPING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR UNTIL THINGS COOLED DOWN AND THEN PUMPED THE BRAKES TO GET TO CAMP GROUND 8 MILES AWAY. AFTER 3 DAYS THE BRAKES HAD TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO GET BRAKES. AFTER CALLING WORKHORSE I HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR HOME TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THE CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED WHICH TOOK 2 DAYS TO GET APPROVAL FROM WORKHORSE. THIS IS THE 4TH …

Owner-reported narrative. 32,648 miles reported. Look up ODI 10348716 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: 2006-10-04 (October 4, 2006)

ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL MOTORS 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.

Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.

Remedy: WORKHORSE IS HANDLING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V225). DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773 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.